Can MS be fairly mild and do I need to get it checked out

[OllieO]

So many of you are suffering greatly and have far worse symptoms than I do.  I wish you all the best and hope that there are medications that make life more bearable and doable!  My symptoms seem so mild although they distract me almost constantly.  After working out at the Y today I experienced brain fog and numbness in my left forearm, hand, left side of face, and left leg and foot.  It seems that whenever I get overheated I experience these symptoms to some degree.  I usually experience numbness and tightness in my calf most days.  Since I don't have a ton of pain my inclination is to just take a watch and see approach.  Can medications halt the progression of the disease?  If I do have MS am I being irresponsible for not checking it out?  Can anyone give me more information about mimics?  These symptoms have been going on for at least a couple of years.  Thank you all and I will pray that each of you find the best doctor who will take you seriously and find the best treatment.  Part of my hesitation about going to the doctor is not being taken seriously!

[jrterriers]

Good for you on taking that baby step! As others have noted, there is not really a foolproof way to predict how MS will affect an individual. And even if the disease is mild today, that's no promise for tomorrow. Get on top of it now! Many of the available medicines are more effective earlier in the disease's progression.

Hope it goes well.

[wonko]

Hi There,

If I were you (and I've been there, done that!) I would go to the imaging center that did the MRI and request a copy of the images (they can give them to you on CD) and a copy of the report.  For me, this was no extra charge and while the deatils may vary with insurance, it's hopefully affordable.

I was able to make copies of my CD and report, using my computer and scanner.  That way, I have my copy for my personal file, and copies to give to care providers.  Like you, I thought all of that data and info always got to where it should, but it just doesn't always work.  While I don't feel the burden should be on the patient, in practice, that can be the case.

As for your other question, about symptoms all on one side, I've read (I'm not medically trained) that in MS, the symptoms may initially be unilateral, but over time as the damge becomes symmetric, both sides are usually effected.  I can't say much about the length of time it takes to progress, and I think it varies by individual.

I can understand the hesitation to seek help, and I think you should be patient.  Finding a good doc, getting tested and/or re-tested, waiting for results etc., is slow, and often these symtpoms are considered non-urgent by the medical profession.  At the same time, I would not just ignore it.  Sounds like right now you don't have a "net," what I mean is, if your condition took a sudden turn for the worse, you don't have a trusted neuro who knows your histrory and has some test results and background of your case.  I think it is worth sticking your neck out again.  I've been there, er, sort of still am there ;-)

Good luck and take care!

[mercyone]

Try not to get too miffed at the doctors - my X-ray results don't get in my file, my appointment isn't logged in so I show up and can't be seen but I can wait in hard plastic charis for three hours on a wish and a prayer - no thanks.

I had a Brain MRI for headaches and all came back normal - but I still have lots of symptoms that make no sense - and I am not a sick type of person - always very active and want to keep up the pace including working for years more -

Just keep plugging away and changing doctors if you think you are not getting answers. Sometimes - there are no answers until something the docs can see on the X-rays etc. Mri's and whatever - where something shows up in a definite pattern.....but don't just give up - giving up solves nothing.

Good luck.

Mercy

[OllieO]

Thanks for the responses!  I appreciate the comments.  I am going to take a baby step today.  When I went to a neurologist last year (only one visit - never went back) I was angry because my MRI (performed at my PCP's request for headaches) had not been sent over prior to my visit.  I am going to call the neuro to see if he ever received and reviewed my MRI.  Can you see lesions on a regular MRI?  One more question - my symptoms are all on my left side - is this what most people experience?  Bless you all!

[mercyone]

What you are going through is some of the things that I went through too. I ignored so much for so long - Now  I just go to the doctor and tell them what is going on and then they do tests - mine don't show much. I expect the specialist I will see this month might do better , and that is might have some answers - now days I don't expect much from the doctors unless there are true clinical qualitative signs they can pinpoint - they are not much with the guessing game - time will tell, but I go to the doctors anyway. I want answers - something is going on and I want to know. Better to know the truth than to be in denial. Stuff going on for a couple of years sounds like a problem to me - pls have it checked out.

Mercy

[mary_kay]

Thanks for the question about severity of symptoms and mimics.  I too would like to know more about that.  I have plenty of symptoms (read my journal if you are curious), but I am just beginning to try to find out what is causing them. I don't even know if they are related to each other!  Overall, my symptoms bother me alot, but I don't have the level of pain that others have mentioned in this forum.  Tomorrow I am scheduled to have an EMG test to find out how my nerves in my arms and legs are functioning.  For the first time, I am a bit scared.  In my opinion, you should definately see a doctor and get started on finding out what is causing your symptoms.  What's the worst thing that could happen?  Maybe it's just a pinched nerve in your back or something. More importantly, you can rule out other things that may be more life-threatening than MS. Thanks for sharing, and please let us know how you are doing.  
Mary Kay

[jensequitur]

Nobody really knows what will happen.  Some people have a benign course, while others progress pretty rapidly.  It does sound like you're having neurological symptoms.  Right now we don't have a cure for MS, but the drugs available slow things down, so that instead of being disabled in fifteen years, you're using a cane - just for example.  Like I said, it's unpredictable!