Is it MS?

[Jenn1027]

Hello everyone! I'm new here and not sure if I'm posting on the correct board.

I am having some MS symptoms. I have been seen by my Rheumatologist for a few years now. She is very undecided what autoimmune disorder i have. She says.... I know it's in there it just want pick its head out to show me which one it's going to be. I am at times very symptomatic as in joint pain, muscle pain and lots of family history. I am 35 years old and have had symptoms for 15 years. I may go months before I flare but usually have to go on steroids when I do. My sister has Lupus and she has treated me as though I will too.

However, there has been some new things that have changed my mind. Last Saturday I was getting up and had total weakness in my left leg. I fell and couldn't get up for a little while because it was so weak. With in hours I was having feelings I've never had. Tingling in all four of my limbs and weakness in my hands and legs.  The past five days in the afternoon my legs feel as if I'm walking through water. On Monday I was having a conversation and totally lost the word elementary, it was as if my brain and my mouth were not connected. I have not don that since. Thank The Lord!!  My muscles ache so bad! I called my Rheumatologist and she could not see me for a while and wanted me to take a steroid pack and call my GP if I was really worried. So...... That's what I did!! He ask me lots of questions and made me do a few test to check my balance. I can not stand or walk with my eyes closed. My leg muscles just shock when he would push against them. Needless to say I think I failed every test he gave me. I became quite emotional not realizing that I could not do those things. About 4 years ago I had severe shocks in my head for about 3 weeks. I finally went to a neurologist and he gave me a shot that was a nerve block?? In the back of my head and sent me home. It has only happened a few times since then Including yesterday.  I don't know if any of this has any thing to do with possibly having MS but my GP sent me for a MRI today and said this sounds like MS. He called me this afternoon and said my MRI was clear but he wanted me to go to a neurologist. I live in a very small town with very limited technology. We have a large city that is close to us and he referred me there.

I guess my question is does this sound like early MS?  

Thanks from new and scared! ;)

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

As I was pointing out to jenn1027 "there are a lot of medical conditions including other autoimmune conditions, that have 'similar' sx's to MS...............I know its easier said than done, but please try not to worry to much! You may not have MS and until you have some clinical and test evidence that makes MS more suggestive over any of the other possible causes (mimics), you could end up worrying about something you don't end up dx with, so if you can try to not worry about things that haven't as yet happened. "

I would expect, what you've described is more likely to be something other than MS, there are many other more common conditions that your sx's would fit and i suggest you seek medical attention to help determine what is causing you so much pain and stiffness etc.

Cheers...........JJ

[Shancbenetz]

. I'm so scared I have ms, but everyone thinks the pain and stiffness and half working right arm is all "nothing".  I hope so. I have major pain in my knees and stiffness so bad that I fall easy.  My right arm is having throbbing, tingling, shooting pains AND numbness.  I feel like crying from all this hurting.  It won't go away? Has been progressively worsened through the month or two.  What is wrong with me?  It seems as if ms symptoms????  

[Jenn1027]

Hi!

Yes my MRI was with and with out contrast only on my brain.

I said the same thing to my GP good grief I hope im not pulled over they will think I drunk!!!!

[Jenn1027]

Thanks for your encouragement! I really pray its not MS!!

I failed to mention one issue I'm having..... I have been trying to write down everything that's happening so when I do get an appt. with the neurologist I will not forget anything. I am having a major issue with my brain and my hand not connecting. For example... I was writhing and wrote (im) I looked at it for a few minuets and knew that something was wrong with it but I just could not figure it out. Finally I thought OH it needs a (I'm). I became very upset because I truly had no clue what it needed to make it look right.


Thanks again :-)

[kwarendorf]

"Needless to say I think I failed every test he gave me."

During my last relapse, I don't think I would have done very well if a cop had given me a field sobriety test :-) During my first neurologist appointment she asked me to walk up and down the hall outside of the exam room. I think I bounced off both walls 3-4 times each in about 20 feet!

As JJ said, there are many things that might cause your symptoms and MS is one of them. You mentioned that you had an MRI. Was it of your brain only or did it include your cervical and thoracic spine?

Kyle

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

Honestly, there are a lot of medical conditions including other autoimmune conditions, that have 'similar' sx's to MS (eg Lupus) and some things you've said are not that typical for MS eg rapid on set - tingling in all 4 limbs, weakness in both hands and both feet, extensive joint pain, extensive muscle pain But the shock episodes and if you can't keep your balance with your eyes closed 'could' be signs of a neurological issue, so seeing a neurologist would be the right thing to do.

The neurologist will be able to do more testing to determine peripheral nervous system or central nervous system and arrange further tests (eg spinal MRI, nerve conductor etc) based on your exam results. I know its easier said than done, but please try not to worry to much! You may not have MS and until you have some clinical and test evidence that makes MS more suggestive over any of the other possible causes (mimics), you could end up worrying about something you don't end up dx with, so if you can try to not worry about things that haven't as yet happened.

Let us know how you get on with the neurologist

Cheers..............JJ