MS? What do you think?

[laur27]

Here I am back at it again.  My daughter has been having many health problems and MS is something that has just been brought to my attention by a friend and after researching, I can't help but think it may just fit.

My daughter is 15 and has had numerous problems with her ankle.  Two years ago she had tingling sensations on the inside of her foot and though her EMG was negative, the doctor diagnosed her with tarsal tunnel syndrome, did surgery and all was well.  A year later tendon trouble occurred on the same foot, other side and she had surgery to correct a snapping tendon.  This surgery did not work and was then redone by another specialist.  She continues to have problem after problem with the ankle and is experiencing more pins and needles feelings.

That's only the beginning!  This November she had a spell in school where she had tingling in her hands, feet, and face, extreme dizziness, and a throbbing headache.  She was not able to get up from her seat and I immediately took her to the doctor.  Being in the middle of the flu outbreak, the doctor didn't think much of it, said it was just a virus, and gave medicine to help with the headache.  I figured it was nothing.  Two months later I had to rush her to the ER after severe abdominal pain.  An ultrasound showed it as an ovarian cyst and aside from learning that it was a complex cyst, after the pain went away, I thought nothing much of it.  3 weeks later she began to feel a tingling sensation running down her leg.  I called the GYN who said it could just be that the cyst had shrunk and was leaning against a nerve and that was the end of that.  She experienced the tingling for several weeks after but said it was nothing unbearable.  Finally, two weeks ago she had another spell much like the one she experienced in November.  She was watching The Blind Side in gym and suddenly felt an overwhelming burning sensation, the tingling in hands, feet, and face, and a bad headache.  I again took her back to the doctor who said it was just another virus, and then upon listening to her lungs said she was on the verge of bronchitis and the tingling could have been from lack of oxygen.  He sent us home with an inhaler and she has been taking it at least once a day since.  

Are all these things just coincidences? Does my daughter just have extremely bad luck? Or should I make sure to mention MS to a doctor.  My aunt has MS as did my great-aunt, thought I'm not sure if it is genetic in any way.  ANy input would be much appreciated! Thank you!!

[slightlybroken]

It's one thing when we are sick, but it's another animal when our children are sick. First off, I'm so sorry that you and your daughter are going through this. I would be questioning these episodes as well if I was you. How many coincidences can one person have with the same type of symptoms?

My first suggestion is to try to get a referral to a neurologist. That is where you might find your answers. Another thing that doesn't makes sense to me, is what the GYN said. If the cyst had shrunk, then to me it wouldn't be putting pressure on a nerve. It would have done this when it was larger, not when it had shrunk. I've had several types of ovarian cyst in my lifetime, and the problem is when they are big, or when they burst. That is when you feel the pain of it and when they can put pressure on things (when they are big).

Whether your daughter has MS or not, I can not answer. Having a family member that does have MS does increase your odds of getting it..but not by much..and it's not really considered hereditary.

I would consider going to a neurologist for a evaluation on her past symptoms. I hope you can find your answers to what is causing all these problems with your daughters health.

Take Care

[slightlybroken]

I noticed your question went to the dreaded 2nd page, unanswered. I have to go soon...so I'll bump it, so it'll have a chance to have another go around.

Take Care