Aa
MS or Nerve damage?
Okay so thank you to anyone that reads this in advance!
Alright, so I'm 25, I don't drink or smoke (I quit 5 months ago). I changed my diet up about 4 months ago and cut out all fast food and crappy foods. I eat a good portion of vegetables and fruits as well as lean meats. I've been trying to eat as healthy as possible and have seen a dietitian.
Alright, so about 5 months ago I notice that I started to get fatigued very easily and started losing weight. I decided it was time to eat healthier. I started doing that, and I was feeling a little better for a while. After about 3 months. I started getting very bad throat and stomach pains. Vomiting every after meals started and I noticed blood. On top of that about, I had lost nearly 55Lbs in the two months prior to this. I started to become very concerned about this, so 4 weeks ago I went to a doctor. He did a crack shoot diagnosis and guessed stomach ulcer. They did X-rays, an upper GI series and took about 6 vials of blood to test for everything he could.
About 1 week into treatment. I started feeling better. No more vomiting, my stomach stopped hurting. I can now eat solids and some spicy foods. I feel better, psychologically, not physically though. At 1 week into treatment, I noticed my ankles were numb, not the actually limb though; More so the skin around it. I'm still losing weight, but slower than I was. As of right now, the skin on my calves and my ankles are semi numb. My legs are getting so weak to the point that I cannot stand up on my own from a squatting or kneeling position. I was actually stuck on the ground at a local nursery until my wife could help me up. My upper body (Chest, triceps, biceps and upper back muscles) are fine. I can still pick up big toolboxes and jacks at work. My legs however within the last 3 weeks have gotten so weak that if I walk for more than an hour, I literally will collapse they feel so jellowey.
I do have alot of knee pain and my legs do hurt if I use them alot. My lower back does hurt on my right side sometimes if I stand alot.
My libido has been gone for the past 6 - 8 months, its hard for me to even touch myself. Which is also wierd, because I used to be pretty active.
My doctor refuses to see me unless I get a GI screening and Endoscopy. I do not have the money for it right now and he kinda just blew me off when I told him what was happening to me. He really wasn't that concerned about my stomach ulcer to begin with, but I'm low on funds at the moment so I just figured he doesn't put too much effort into something if it won't pay off for him.
A very good friend of mine told me to get a second opinion from a different doctor ASAP.
He's a doctor, and picked some brains at work. He said I really need to get looked at, because ALS and MS could be possibilities. Maybe even pancreatic problems that didn't show up in the blood panels.
I'm really concerned that this could be the beginning of MS or something else worse.
I'm honestly just on here to see if anyone has any similar issues or if a doctor could give me an idea of how serious this is. I was assured that weak and wasting muscles as well as weight loss like mine is most likely not stress. Which I don't have alot of anyway.
If anyone has any input, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks guys!
Alright, so I'm 25, I don't drink or smoke (I quit 5 months ago). I changed my diet up about 4 months ago and cut out all fast food and crappy foods. I eat a good portion of vegetables and fruits as well as lean meats. I've been trying to eat as healthy as possible and have seen a dietitian.
Alright, so about 5 months ago I notice that I started to get fatigued very easily and started losing weight. I decided it was time to eat healthier. I started doing that, and I was feeling a little better for a while. After about 3 months. I started getting very bad throat and stomach pains. Vomiting every after meals started and I noticed blood. On top of that about, I had lost nearly 55Lbs in the two months prior to this. I started to become very concerned about this, so 4 weeks ago I went to a doctor. He did a crack shoot diagnosis and guessed stomach ulcer. They did X-rays, an upper GI series and took about 6 vials of blood to test for everything he could.
About 1 week into treatment. I started feeling better. No more vomiting, my stomach stopped hurting. I can now eat solids and some spicy foods. I feel better, psychologically, not physically though. At 1 week into treatment, I noticed my ankles were numb, not the actually limb though; More so the skin around it. I'm still losing weight, but slower than I was. As of right now, the skin on my calves and my ankles are semi numb. My legs are getting so weak to the point that I cannot stand up on my own from a squatting or kneeling position. I was actually stuck on the ground at a local nursery until my wife could help me up. My upper body (Chest, triceps, biceps and upper back muscles) are fine. I can still pick up big toolboxes and jacks at work. My legs however within the last 3 weeks have gotten so weak that if I walk for more than an hour, I literally will collapse they feel so jellowey.
I do have alot of knee pain and my legs do hurt if I use them alot. My lower back does hurt on my right side sometimes if I stand alot.
My libido has been gone for the past 6 - 8 months, its hard for me to even touch myself. Which is also wierd, because I used to be pretty active.
My doctor refuses to see me unless I get a GI screening and Endoscopy. I do not have the money for it right now and he kinda just blew me off when I told him what was happening to me. He really wasn't that concerned about my stomach ulcer to begin with, but I'm low on funds at the moment so I just figured he doesn't put too much effort into something if it won't pay off for him.
A very good friend of mine told me to get a second opinion from a different doctor ASAP.
He's a doctor, and picked some brains at work. He said I really need to get looked at, because ALS and MS could be possibilities. Maybe even pancreatic problems that didn't show up in the blood panels.
I'm really concerned that this could be the beginning of MS or something else worse.
I'm honestly just on here to see if anyone has any similar issues or if a doctor could give me an idea of how serious this is. I was assured that weak and wasting muscles as well as weight loss like mine is most likely not stress. Which I don't have alot of anyway.
If anyone has any input, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks guys!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm really sorry your going through this but like Kyle pointed out we are not doctors, collectively we know a lot of factual and experience based information regarding MS.......
You quoted me as saying "just see a doctor" which I actually didn't say, mainly because you'd indicated your financial situation wasn't good, and although medical attention would be a lot better for you in the short and long term, than trying to work it out your self online, you are online and asking for advice because you want and need someone to help you.
I actually think you 'might' need to reconsider, everything that was happening within your time line a little more......from an outsider looking in, to me it looks like you might be assuming there needs to be a serious disease process (ALS, MS) behind the muscle wasting but whilst muscle wastage is definitely connected to these conditions. You are much 'more likely' to be inadvertently overlooking the most common explanation and natural outcomes of rapid weight loss, without building and strengthening muscles at the same time.
"Weight loss that is a result of intentional undernourishment, such as anorexia, or extreme calorie reducing diets, causes the body's metabolic rate to slow down and conserve energy, in this case fat. Since muscle is metabolically active, meaning it requires energy to perform, breaking down muscle tissue for fuel helps to reduce the energy requirements and provide nourishment for the rest of the body.
Simply put, the body may burn muscle for fuel while storing fat for emergency. This is called muscle catabolism. This is why proper nutrition and exercise plans should be implemented to prevent muscle loss as you lose weight...." http://www.livestrong.com/article/147232-common-reasons-for-weight-loss-muscle-wasting/
Don't think i'm dismissing what your going through because i'm definitely not, what i'm trying to do is get you to consider cause and effect......
Cheers.......JJ
PS i would definitely recommend 'finding a way' to see a doctor, if after changing your diet, fitness, head space etc your health does not improve or continues to decline!
You quoted me as saying "just see a doctor" which I actually didn't say, mainly because you'd indicated your financial situation wasn't good, and although medical attention would be a lot better for you in the short and long term, than trying to work it out your self online, you are online and asking for advice because you want and need someone to help you.
I actually think you 'might' need to reconsider, everything that was happening within your time line a little more......from an outsider looking in, to me it looks like you might be assuming there needs to be a serious disease process (ALS, MS) behind the muscle wasting but whilst muscle wastage is definitely connected to these conditions. You are much 'more likely' to be inadvertently overlooking the most common explanation and natural outcomes of rapid weight loss, without building and strengthening muscles at the same time.
"Weight loss that is a result of intentional undernourishment, such as anorexia, or extreme calorie reducing diets, causes the body's metabolic rate to slow down and conserve energy, in this case fat. Since muscle is metabolically active, meaning it requires energy to perform, breaking down muscle tissue for fuel helps to reduce the energy requirements and provide nourishment for the rest of the body.
Simply put, the body may burn muscle for fuel while storing fat for emergency. This is called muscle catabolism. This is why proper nutrition and exercise plans should be implemented to prevent muscle loss as you lose weight...." http://www.livestrong.com/article/147232-common-reasons-for-weight-loss-muscle-wasting/
Don't think i'm dismissing what your going through because i'm definitely not, what i'm trying to do is get you to consider cause and effect......
Cheers.......JJ
PS i would definitely recommend 'finding a way' to see a doctor, if after changing your diet, fitness, head space etc your health does not improve or continues to decline!
We are not doctors, or substitutes for doctors. We are a collection of patients who either have MS, or think we might have MS. Information shared here is done so in the context of seeking professional medical help.
Your rapid onset weight loss, fatigue and loss of muscle mass sounds atypical of MS to me, but I am not a doctor. It does merit serious medical investigattion.
Is there no coverage available to you under the Afordable Care Act?
Kyle
Your rapid onset weight loss, fatigue and loss of muscle mass sounds atypical of MS to me, but I am not a doctor. It does merit serious medical investigattion.
Is there no coverage available to you under the Afordable Care Act?
Kyle
Sorry, I didn't really explain that time line very well. Let me break down why I was concerned as to what was going on.
About 5 - 6 months ago, I noticed I wasn't feeling 100%
I was getting fatigued easier and figured it was my diet. I essentially plateaued and stayed this way for a while even after I changed up my diet.
I was not losing weight, I was actually gaining weight.
I was extremely busy with work as I owned a business and also worked about 70 hours a week. My health was bothering me, but not to the point I couldn't work. Up until about 2 months ago. In 6 weeks I lost 55lbs.
I went from 5'11 @ 197lbs to 5'11 @ 141lbs. This is when I had to close my business and quit working. I saved up enough money to see a doctor.
He did the diagnosis which was 3 1/2 weeks ago to date. I'm still losing weight, but eating as I should. I do not get nausea or vomiting, or blood in my stool at all. As I said all the blood panels he did came back normal.
2 weeks ago is when I noticed my legs weren't working correctly and the muscle mass of my legs is thinning out
I'm not resisting the endoscopy or any of his advice. However unfortunately I spent 3 years building a business and put every nickel and dime I had into it, and I just had to close my doors with nothing because of my health deterioration.
I understand you say "Just go see a doctor", but when my doctor says "Don't come back unless you have money"; It can be a bit of a dilemma.
I'm not complaining, I'm just saying I wouldn't be on this forum asking for opinions or help if it was just as simple as making an appointment and seeing someone.
About 5 - 6 months ago, I noticed I wasn't feeling 100%
I was getting fatigued easier and figured it was my diet. I essentially plateaued and stayed this way for a while even after I changed up my diet.
I was not losing weight, I was actually gaining weight.
I was extremely busy with work as I owned a business and also worked about 70 hours a week. My health was bothering me, but not to the point I couldn't work. Up until about 2 months ago. In 6 weeks I lost 55lbs.
I went from 5'11 @ 197lbs to 5'11 @ 141lbs. This is when I had to close my business and quit working. I saved up enough money to see a doctor.
He did the diagnosis which was 3 1/2 weeks ago to date. I'm still losing weight, but eating as I should. I do not get nausea or vomiting, or blood in my stool at all. As I said all the blood panels he did came back normal.
2 weeks ago is when I noticed my legs weren't working correctly and the muscle mass of my legs is thinning out
I'm not resisting the endoscopy or any of his advice. However unfortunately I spent 3 years building a business and put every nickel and dime I had into it, and I just had to close my doors with nothing because of my health deterioration.
I understand you say "Just go see a doctor", but when my doctor says "Don't come back unless you have money"; It can be a bit of a dilemma.
I'm not complaining, I'm just saying I wouldn't be on this forum asking for opinions or help if it was just as simple as making an appointment and seeing someone.
Hi - You mention at the beginning of your post that you had some GI testiong and that you had begun treatment. I didn't see nay metion of the test reults or what treatment you were receiving.
It is possible that there is more than one thing going on, meaning that the symptoms you describre are not caused by a single issue. Ig your doc want's you to get a full GI evaluation why are you resisting? MS does not cause vomitting or the kind of internal bleeding that results in blood in your vomit.
Find a doctor who is not your friend, or listen to the one you have. If you think there is something neurological going on see a neurologist. If they determine MS is a possibility that find an MS specialist.
Kyle
It is possible that there is more than one thing going on, meaning that the symptoms you describre are not caused by a single issue. Ig your doc want's you to get a full GI evaluation why are you resisting? MS does not cause vomitting or the kind of internal bleeding that results in blood in your vomit.
Find a doctor who is not your friend, or listen to the one you have. If you think there is something neurological going on see a neurologist. If they determine MS is a possibility that find an MS specialist.
Kyle
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome,
Firstly..... "A very good friend of mine told me to get a second opinion from a different doctor ASAP. He's a doctor, and picked some brains at work. He said I really need to get looked at, because ALS and MS could be possibilities. Maybe even pancreatic problems that didn't show up in the blood panels."
......I have no idea what type of doctor he was/is but a medically trained doctor shouldn't ever start throwing ALS and MS at someone, when what started all this for you is not associated with how either 'usually' presents!
What I understand, basically you've lost 55 pounds (25kilo) in a 5 month time frame, that is still a significant amount of weight but not really unexpected if you were significantly focused on improving your diet and life style, loosing weight etc along with having an unresolved ulcer at the same time.
Weight loss is subjective, it's not in its self technically serious if there's responsible dieting and behavioural modification involved, and they are actually over weight to begin with eg DH could loose those kilo's or more and still be classed as slightly over weight, but if i lost half that much i'd be knocking on deaths door.
I don't think you should be looking at or thinking about anything other than what you already know to be true, your initial symptoms are classic for an ulcer, below is only one site about ulcers, of which there are many to choose from....
"Stomach Ulcers and Weight Loss
One of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer is a steady loss of weight despite a standard diet. If you have a stomach ulcer, your appetite is adversely affected and this in turn exacerbates the amount of weight lost. Since nausea and vomiting are other symptoms of stomach ulcers, they result in an additional loss of weight. The lining of the stomach is damaged and the scar tissue that's formed blocks the passageway to the stomach. This results in a loss of appetite and a subsequent loss of weight.
Gastric ulcers cause edema or swelling of the tissues that lead from the stomach into the small intestine, and prevent the food from passing out of the stomach. This gives a false feeling of fullness and results in a loss of appetite. Hunger is sated even though a sufficient amount of food hasn't been ingested. This in turn gives rise to weight loss. Hence, there are many reasons why you can lose weight if you suffer from stomach ulcers.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers
Blood and stool tests can help confirm the presence of H. pylori bacteria and can indicate the presence of a stomach ulcer. An endoscopy can help evaluate the ulcer and a Barium contrast X-ray can determine the severity and size of the ulcer present. Antibiotics help to get rid of the H. pylori infection, and medications that inhibit the production of gastric acids can promote healing of gastric ulcers.
Stomach ulcers have a tendency to recur even after they have been treated completely. It's best to abstain from spicy food, smoking and alcohol to avoid recurrence. Drugs such as NSAIDs and aspirin should only be taken after a discussion with the doctor."
http://www.3fatchicks.com/how-stomach-ulcers-can-affect-your-weight/
You need to keep in mind, your experience fit's with a bacterial infection and it probably needs to be the priority in the grand scheme of things......
Cheers..........JJ
Firstly..... "A very good friend of mine told me to get a second opinion from a different doctor ASAP. He's a doctor, and picked some brains at work. He said I really need to get looked at, because ALS and MS could be possibilities. Maybe even pancreatic problems that didn't show up in the blood panels."
......I have no idea what type of doctor he was/is but a medically trained doctor shouldn't ever start throwing ALS and MS at someone, when what started all this for you is not associated with how either 'usually' presents!
What I understand, basically you've lost 55 pounds (25kilo) in a 5 month time frame, that is still a significant amount of weight but not really unexpected if you were significantly focused on improving your diet and life style, loosing weight etc along with having an unresolved ulcer at the same time.
Weight loss is subjective, it's not in its self technically serious if there's responsible dieting and behavioural modification involved, and they are actually over weight to begin with eg DH could loose those kilo's or more and still be classed as slightly over weight, but if i lost half that much i'd be knocking on deaths door.
I don't think you should be looking at or thinking about anything other than what you already know to be true, your initial symptoms are classic for an ulcer, below is only one site about ulcers, of which there are many to choose from....
"Stomach Ulcers and Weight Loss
One of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer is a steady loss of weight despite a standard diet. If you have a stomach ulcer, your appetite is adversely affected and this in turn exacerbates the amount of weight lost. Since nausea and vomiting are other symptoms of stomach ulcers, they result in an additional loss of weight. The lining of the stomach is damaged and the scar tissue that's formed blocks the passageway to the stomach. This results in a loss of appetite and a subsequent loss of weight.
Gastric ulcers cause edema or swelling of the tissues that lead from the stomach into the small intestine, and prevent the food from passing out of the stomach. This gives a false feeling of fullness and results in a loss of appetite. Hunger is sated even though a sufficient amount of food hasn't been ingested. This in turn gives rise to weight loss. Hence, there are many reasons why you can lose weight if you suffer from stomach ulcers.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Stomach Ulcers
Blood and stool tests can help confirm the presence of H. pylori bacteria and can indicate the presence of a stomach ulcer. An endoscopy can help evaluate the ulcer and a Barium contrast X-ray can determine the severity and size of the ulcer present. Antibiotics help to get rid of the H. pylori infection, and medications that inhibit the production of gastric acids can promote healing of gastric ulcers.
Stomach ulcers have a tendency to recur even after they have been treated completely. It's best to abstain from spicy food, smoking and alcohol to avoid recurrence. Drugs such as NSAIDs and aspirin should only be taken after a discussion with the doctor."
http://www.3fatchicks.com/how-stomach-ulcers-can-affect-your-weight/
You need to keep in mind, your experience fit's with a bacterial infection and it probably needs to be the priority in the grand scheme of things......
Cheers..........JJ
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