MS symptoms too long?

[shindiger]

Hi all,
hoping some one can help here. I am a 42 year old male and I have had leg weakness and muscle twitching for over ten years now. I also have tingling in my hands and feet all the time. the muscle twitching comes and goes, it may be there in various muscles for a bout a week, and then disappear for months at a time.
I first started to notice a problem getting out of chairs and climbing stairs. over the past ten years or more, it has only gotten slightly worse, but having said that, I am ten years older and ten kilos heavier.
I have been tested for B12 deficiency and was found to be low. since then I have been taking supplements and my levels are now fine. I also have high blood pressure and am taking Noten for this. I feel tired and have a low libido.
I have seen my GP and have had bloods taken. still waiting on the results for this. the Doc advised a trip to the neuro is on the cards.
I am really scared of MS and ALS more so. but if all my symptoms have been happening for over 10 years with what appears to be only slight progression, could it still be MS/ALS?

[Lulu54]

Hi Shindiger,  Welcome to the group here.

After ten years of symptoms it is about time your GP referred you out the the neuro.  Are you in the UK on the NHS?  That may explain the delay in the referral.

ALS is almost always a rapid decline in health, so that is very unlikely in your case.  I don't believe it is possible to have  *mild* ALS.

MS is a different story, though.  You can progress very slow over the years.  


Please don't be afraid of a neuro consult - that is a good thing.  Don't you want to look for the answers to your physical problems?  That is the best place to start .

Remember there are lots of MS mimics out there - this may take even more time to sort through the possibilities.  In the meantime feel free to come through here often.

be well, Lulu

[willowwoman7]

Try not to anticipate the worst..anything autoimmune wise will have worse symptoms from stress...believe me, I know. You are in my prayers.

[shindiger]

thanks for the good advice zenhound, trying not to panic just yet.

[zenhound]

The majority of people who get ALS die within a few years of the onset of symptoms, though there are exceptions (Stephen Hawking for example).  So I wouldn't worry too much about that one.  Get to a neurologist when you can, try not to worry too much in the meantime.  I'm learning that neurology moves at a different speed than most medicine so it can take a long time to get diagnosed with anything at all.