can you have arthritis and ms

[southygirl]

hi everybody bbeen reading your posts wonder if you can help? I have numerous things wrong with me palindromic rheumatism fibromylgia early osteo arthritis in my knee and a cataract. About 2 months ago my ring finger and pinky went numb and tingly,it traveled up my arm and now I have it all over my body  the blwith pains in the back of my neck and shooting pains in my arms and legs,also my legs are always feeling cold so do my feet sometimes.been having blurry vision a bit and a few dizzy spells.My doctor is going to send me to a neurologist have to wait for appointment. How do I tell the difference between my other things that are wrong with me and these new symptoms.
hope I have got the right forum to ask.cheers southygirl.

[flidly]

Hello. My name is rick. I am 49 and have yet to be diagnosed with ms, arthritis, or much else regarding my symptoms. Please bear with my lack of knowledge...I have had two low back surgeries for severe herniated disks, one emergency surgery for c-6 herniated disk...I started having eye problems in left eye...diagnosed optic neuritis and double glaucoma. I have been steadily becoming more dizzy since the o.n. diagnosis...losing balance and feeling in fingers and feet...I fall somewhat frequently...in the mornings I can barely move my ankle joints and elbow joints. Sometimes I cannot see anything but light in the diseased eye. I have been to so many docs that say I can't have ms because no brain lesions...if a true ms professional, (patient or nurse/doctor) reads this...or anyone else that cares to take the time to read my manifesto...please brainstorm me. Much thanks and great health. Rick

[green924]

Hi! Not sure where to start, but I'm 28 and have been dealing with some type of arthritis for more than 9 years now. I have been diagnosed with everything from serum-negative rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthralgia, palendromic rheumatism, and even MS and fibromyalgia. Every Dr I see gives it a different name, and a different med but nothing works. My flare-ups are progressing rapidly and can't get any answers or help. From what I can find online the Palindromic rheumatism seems to fit my symptoms closest but who knows... How have you been doing???
If anyone knows more about all this I would greatly appreciate anything.
Thanks
Melanie

[Momzilla]

Cheers back!

WOW.  Palindromic Rheumatism...does that mean your pain and swelling is the same forward as it is backward?  I'm stumped.  Never heard of it (and certainly don't mean to diminish it!).  It sounds like you're gong through a LOT!

Rena has given you al lot of great information.  You should also know that many autoimmune diseases and disorders, syndromes seem to travel together like so much mismatched luggage.  They're called co-morbid, which sounds horrific, but isn't.  It just means they often go hand-in-hand and we're not sure why.

I'm glad you've been referred to a neurologist. It sounds like you could use a good one to sort all this out.  The blurry vision and dizziness really require testing, like VEP and VENG.  If not offered, you should ask for them.  Do not minimize these symptoms.  They should be checked with these tests.  It's hard to tell what's going on with you.  It could be a couple of things.  But do NOT let anyone dismiss you.

Let us know what other symptoms you've been having, your age and so forth,a nd we can help you better with what sorts of testing to ask for.

Feel well, and keep in touch!

Zilla*

[Rena705]

Hello and Welcome to our Forum!  I am so sorry to hear of the maladies that you have had to deal with in the past and I hope that we can be of some help to you.

First of all, I can confirm that a person can have both fibromyalgia and MS at the same time and if you send a message to our member Heather, I am sure that she will share with you her journey to a diagnosis of both MS and Fibro.  

Secondly, is your doctor sending you to a neurologist or to an MS Specialist?  It is very important to be able to discern the difference and if you read the article called "My family doctor thinks I may have MS...what do I do now?" you will find the steps that you should take to find a diagnosis for your symptoms and it will tell you why you should take these steps.

I really hope that you are able to get some answers to your questions soon but I am sure that the MS Specialist would be the best to decide which symptoms are MS and which are something else.  He/she will let you know the difference and will tell you which are possible symptoms of only MS.

Please know what we are here for you 100% as you begin your journey to find an answer for all your symptoms.  Should you need to rant, rave, laugh or cry...we are here for you 24/7 and will offer you as much support as we can ok?  Please keep in touch with us as you proceed on your journey and let us know how you are doing...we care and want to help.

Lots of Hugs,

Rena