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1748105 tn?1314473206

Newbie...

Hello! I am new to this site, but not new to MS. I am on the starting end of a flare and found these boards while researching my new symptoms.

For the past few days I have felt very fatigued and weak and extremely lightheaded.  The woke up yesterday with my left leg feeling very heavy and also some spots of numbness on the thigh.

The weird thing is that my leg FEELS stiff, but doesn't seem to BE stiff.  I could also say that it FEELS weak, but I don't know that it is weak. I dont really know how to check for either stiffness or weakness.

I called my neuro and am hoping to hear back from their office soon.

I keep telling myself to stay calm and it will eventually get better,  like most of my symptoms have. However, the total blindness in my right eye from optic neuritis almost 10 years ago is a constant reminder that ni symptom is gauranteed to go away.

Well, I have rambled on longer than I intended. But I wanted to give a proper introduction :-)

April
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559187 tn?1330782856
Good for you for being proactive.  IF the symptoms go away after a few days, then it probably was a pseudo-relapse.  If it goes on for more than 3, then it is definitely time to call the neuro and you both can come to a decision on whether to go on IVSM or not.  The rule of thumb my neuro has for us with MS is that he wants to know if symptoms go on for 4-5 days and is impacting our life, then he will prescribe steroids.  If it goes on longer than a a week to 10 days, then the steroids won't really be of much help.  Every neuro has his/her own school of thought though but for sure it is better to nip it sooner than later.  

Be well and let us know you the infusions help.

Julie X
Helpful - 0
1748105 tn?1314473206
Neuro is gonna have me do a round of steroids. I pushed for them because I noticed my ams are starting to fatigue quickly, and since I'm a violinist this is a big deal.

A little more about me...I am 32 and was diagnosed at 23. I had symptoms since I was about 10, but it took optic neuritis to convince the doctors it wasn't just psychiatric >:0

I will post more later. At the moment my toddler is demanding my attention :-)
Helpful - 0
667078 tn?1316000935
Again welcome April,
   I have the weakness feeling but physical therapists and Doctors say I have the strength so I know what that is like.

I guess you know the drill is you need to call a Doctor to just let them know you are having new issues you can. Steroids are an option is a flair gets bad. I have never used them myself.

I am sorry about your eye that make things tough.

Alex
Helpful - 0
199882 tn?1310184542
Hi April,

Welcome to the family... I'm happy you found us but sad for the reason why... I'm sure others will join in soon to welcome you... How long have you had MS and what type do you have?

If your up to it tell us a little bit about yourself... Also, remember we are here any time you want to talk, rant, or just visit... I hope you get to feeling better soon...

I'll be praying,
Carol
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
Hi April, I know exactly what you mean about the sensation of stiffness and weakness, but for me it's from my elbow to my fingers.   There are times I swear my left hand is swollen but when I hold it up and compare to my right hand, they look the same.  I test for stiffness by bending and flexing all fingers at once, and the left moves as well as the right.  This is just the crossed wires sending misinformation from the limbs to the brain.  

As for the sensation of weakness, your neuro will check for this in your cinical exam, I'm not sure how to test for this yourself, not sure that you can do so objectively, so hopefully you can see your doc soon.  It's possible it could be actual weakness or due to paresthesia, as you know both are common symptoms of MS.  If it worsens maybe a round of IVSM is worth considering.  

It's hard not to worry and even panic when new symptoms show up, and to remain calm in the face of uncertainty.  It's quite possible these symptoms will remit as most of your other ones have, but if not, you know you have the strength to cope and adapt as you surely have with your loss of vision after all these years.  

Hopefully you'll find this site useful and will keep us posted.  You will find a lot of support here, and no doubt can offer others support and insight, with your years of experience with this cr@ppy disease.   Take care.
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