Neurology

[Jesslea333]

Hi, I'm a 31 year old mom of three little ones and I've been having some symptoms consistent with MS.  For at least the last four weeks I've had tingling and numbness in my toes and feet, especially when I'm working out hard, and I've been feeling dizzy, foggy, off balance, and very tired.  I chalked most of that up to being a mom until I saw my doctor on Monday about the tingling and numbness in my feet.  She thought I might have a slipped disk and ordered an x-ray.  The next day I was eating and food got caught in my throat and I had to force myself to vomit.  On Wednesday we spent the day at a friend's house in about 100 degree weather as they did not have AC.  When I got home my whole left thigh was tingling like crazy and I started to freak out.  The next day I was still having symptoms, but my doctor was away, so the on-call doctor suggested I go to the ER. At that point I did my own research and started seeing that I was having some similar symptoms to MS. I also realized I had had the numbness and tingling in my feet and toes around December, the same time I thought I had a UTI and didn't, and also had a similar issue with getting food stuck in my throat.  Anyway, at the ER I was hoping to get a CAT scan or MRI done, but because I wasn't considered a real emergency, they just gave me my ordered x-ray, which showed my back was perfect.  He referred me to a neurologist and I won't be able to see him until the end of September which is so frustrating.  I guess my question is whether or not it is very likely that I may have MS, and if so, if there is anyway to convey to my doctor that I need to be seen sooner? I'm sorry for the long winded description/question, I am just very scared right now.  Thank you in advance for any response, it would mean so much.

[doublevision1]

One more suggestion: begin keeping track of all the testing you've had done so far and any further testing that may be done.  It's easier to get it from your doctor as results come in.  She should be copied on the xray and blood work you had done at the hospital; if not, you can contact the records dept at the hospital and inquire about the process for obtaining your reports.  You may be charged a fee.  That's another reason to get copies as the tests come back; it's more work for entire files to be copied after the fact so you might be able to avoid any charges by getting each report individually as they come in.  If and when you get a MRI, you should request a copy of the CD of your images as well as the radiology report.  In future if you move or change doctors, this will ensure you always have a complete file.  Don't leave this all in the hands of health providers.  Things fall through the cracks, records may be lost or destroyed, human error is always a risk.

Oh just thought of something else; you can always contact the neuro office, if your primary doc can't speed up your referral, and ask the neuro's office to put you on a list to call in sooner I. The event they have a cancellation.  People cancel dr appts all the time.  There's a good chance a slot might open up for you between now and Sept.

[Jesslea333]

That is great advise about asking my doctor to order the MRI to see if I can get it done ahead of time!  I hope she does!  I will call her Monday and let her know everything that is going on and ask then.  They did do some bloodwork at the ER, I'm not sure for what, but he said everything came back good... so I don't know.  This morning I woke up with numbness and tingling in my arms and fingers too, but again, trying to remain calm... it is not easy not knowing what the hell is going on.  Anyway, thank you for your response... I appreciate it!

[Jesslea333]

Thank you so much for your response and for the website link.  I will definitely check it out.  Thanks again.

[doublevision1]

You could ask your primary doctor if s/he will order a brain and spinal cord MRI now so that you'll have the results back in time for your appt with the neuro.  This is likely what the neuro will want done anyway so better to go to that appt armed with as much info as possible.  Your primary doc can also run a thorough round of bloodwork to identify or rule out other conditions.

[johnniebear]

Hello   and welcome to our little part of the world.

I'm sorry that your having all those concerns,  please check our Health Pages,  heres one link

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/MS-Mimics---Part-I/show/375?cid=36


Just to let you know many of here have  been in what we call Limbo land for years,  you may or may not have MS.
Your neurologist,  and may I recommend an MS Neuro- will order many test.

There  is no simple test for MS,  they will rule other disorders, and yes an MRI should be ordered ,   and they might want to scan your spinal cord also
.

again welcome to the board,  itS a little slow here on weekends but others might post back to you later.

Take care
J.B