Limbo Lander

[Wellalbesure]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I little history about me. I'm 48 year old happily married male. About 6 years ago, I experienced pins and needles tingling in my left leg, primarily in the foot. Weakness to the point of effecting my gait. It was pretty severe at rimes for about 3 weeks straight. I saw my GP. He was concerned primarily due to my family history of M.S. My Grandmother, Mother and my first cousin, all on my mother's side had M.S.

I had blood work checked for infections, vitamin deficiencies and Lymes. All good. My GP noticed I had left foot frop while walking. A brain MRI came up negative. The problem cleared up.

Fast foward to last October, I suffered extreme vertigo. Went to ER, CT scan showed nothing abnormal. DX me with Labrynthitus. Gave me antibiotics and antivert. Vertigo cleared up, but had balance issues ever since plus a constant high pitched whine in my ears, tinnitus.

Refered to an ENT, a month later. Hearing test showed no problems, except a notch in both ears at 4000Hz. A VNG showed some nystagmus, but test was considered "inconclusive". ENT believed it to be a CNS and not peripheal problem. Had a brain MRI performed, No IAC or lesions.

Referred to a Neurologists, He thought my problems were more peripheal in nature. By this time 3 months have elapsed and my balance was getting better, however, my tinnitus was as bad as ever. And I was having extreme "pins and needles" along numbness in part of my left foot. My gait was effected again. I also started having problems finding words. I never had a problem with that before. I would be mid sentence, knowing what I wanted to say, but would have to stumle around till I got the word out or something close to it. Very frustrating.

The Neuro was not concerned with those problems. He sent me to a PT for my balance issues. Which were getting better. He reluctantly scheduled me for a spinal MRi, due to my family history.

Two lesions showed up on my cervical MRI, and I was referred to an MS specialists, a month later.
I had blood work checked for thyroid, copper, and all the possible infections, markers for Autoimmune diseases and vitamin deficiencies. All of it came back normal. My vitamin D3 was normal but on low end. So I am taking perscribed supplements above my regular vitamins.

I've  now experience extreme burning in my left leg from knee down to in my foot. I also have been getting muscle twitches in my right quadricep. I can actually see it flexing. I also, get spacisity in both legs. Painful, and stiff. Upon waking and getting up from a sitting position the start of the walk is very slow and deliberate. Very tiring by end of the day. I get so exhausted some days. I have to lay down for 20 minutes to recharge.

I also, have been seeing off and on intentional tremors in my arms and hands sometimes. Like right now in fact. My right hand shakes over the keyboard.

I have another follow up MRI of the brain at the end of May and a visit with the MS spec. at that time.By the way all my brain MRIs were with and with out contrast. I guess depending on this MRI. will determine if I will have a LP performed.

I feel like the Doctors don't take me serious, sometimes. Sorry for the long post. I just needed to get it off my chest. Thank you. I guess I just need some reassurance.

[HVAC]

MS is just hard to diagnose. No test rules it in or out. MS Specialist follow you over time. They thought I had MS in 2007 but I was followed by several Neurologist for two years before they would Diagnose it as MS. Sometimes some one comes on the Forum who is diagnose right away but that is rare. For most of us it takes years for a diagnosis.

The way Neurologist work is watching you over time and it is not MS until they have ruled out every other possibility and it is MS.

Alex

[Poppy7402]

Hi, some of your symptoms are absolutely identical to mine.  I too ended up in hospital last year with supposed labyrinthitis after going deaf (temporarily) in my right ear over a two hour period.  I've also got the blasted tinnitus.  MRI at that time did unfortunately show lesions, but they were passed off as "probable small vessel ischaemic change" despite me having zero risk factors for this.

Has your doctor got you on some decent pain medication for your burning pain?  

Poppy

[essdipity]

Hi, Well. I could say a lot about your symptoms and history, but what it boils down to is that I think you need to see a neuro who specializes in MS.

Gather all your tests results and physicians' notes, plus the actual MRI images, if possible. If you need a referral, ask for one, and be persistent. This has gone on long enough.

I do understand, as do a great many others here. Please keep posting.

ess