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Brain fog anxiety and jitters

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Multiple Sclerosis
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Posted 4/30/2007 10:42 PM (GMT 0)

I am a 32 year old female and 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Optic Neuritis and treated with oral steriods. I got my vision back 100% at that time.  1 month after that incident I was admitted to the hospital for numbness, couldn't walk a straight line, severe headaches and dizziness.  I lost feeling on the entire left side of my body and I couldn't smile on one side and my speech & handwriting were distorted.  They did an MRI and found lesions all over my brain and also did several other tests (Spinal tap, angiogram, EKG, even a brain biopsy).  The doctors finally diagnosed me with 'probable MS' although not one test really came back 100% conclusive that it was but being that I had been diagnosed with Optic Neuritis recently they were lead in that direction.  I was treated with IV Steriods at the time for 4 days and then went on oral prednisone.  I also took Avonex injections for several years.  I eventually got better and all my symptoms went away.  I had a follow up MRI 4 years ago and to my neurologists surprise, there was not one lesion.  Apparently with MS the lesions are usually permanent and don't just dissapper.  The doctor that did the follow up MRI was different from the one I was diagnosed by (I moved to anothers state) and he thought maybe I was mis-diagnosed.  He told me to stop all my Avonex injections since I was not experiencing any MS symptoms and my MRI was clear.  Since that time I've never had any MS symptoms until last week when I got the blurriness and severe pain in my left eye so bad that I had to be admitted to the hospital and again they treated me with IV Steriods (Solumedrol) for 4 days.  An MRI showed no lesions so that is a very good sign. My vision is still not 100% yet but I am still being weaned off steriods orally for another month or so so hopefully it will come back normal.  My question is that I feel alot of anxiety, jitterness, nervousness and brain fog.  I can't seem to think clearly and I feel like like nothing around me is real, my body feels detached from my mind or something.  I don't know if it's the steriods that are causing this or maybe it's a sign of depression?  To top it all off I have been trying to get pregnant for over 1.5 years and have gone through 2 failed IVF's so I am very sad that I haven't been able to conceive a child as well.  

I am hoping that as I get further weaned off the steriods that I will feel like my normal self again.  I would just like to know if the steriods could be causing these "awkward" feelings and symptoms?  I've never experienced depression before either.

Thanks

Posted 5/1/2007 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there ntimpone,

Wow, it certainly sounds like you've been through a whole lot over the past years. I'm afraid I can't help with your question, but just wanted you to know that there are a lot of people here who care!

I hope you get some answers!

KAS
Posted 5/1/2007 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
It could well be a side effect of the steroids. They can do alll sorts of things to your body, including anxiety and depression. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Posted 5/1/2007 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hey ntimpone, I'm sorry for the way you are feeling !! Some of what you describe is listed as side effects of the steroids: mood changes; nervousness; depression. That may be part of the problem. You're depression could be part of the steroids and then also part of what you are going through...trying to conceive. That adds up on a person. I definitely think that once you are weaned off the steroids you will be back to your normal self again !! I wish you All The Best on the road to feeling better and getting pregnant !! Something that has helped me lately is "The Secret" dvd. I don't know if you've seen it or not, but it's all about energy, and focusing on the things you want instead of the negative things.I know it sounds corny, but when I'm having a bad day I pop it in and I practice changing my thoughts to positive and it really works in making me feel better, like everything will be okay, and I can still have the life that I want !! Take Care, and P.S. For any prescription I use I look it up on drugs.com just to make sure I have access to ALL of the side effects. Lots of information there.
Posted 5/3/2007 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
wow, your story sounds similar to mine. I'll save everyone the details - but if you want to email me feel free. I am 31, have lots (at least ten) of lesions and a "working diagnosis" of MS even though everything else has come up negative for it. My number one complaint right now (even though I've had LOTS of the physical symptoms) is cognitive disturbance. Major fog, confusion, disorientation, depression, memory loss etc. It's getting better, but for the last three months it's been so bad that I haven't even been able to drive. My regular doctor said it was anxiety and tried prescribing me Atavan - but this was something completely different. Let us know how you're doing.
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