Thanks for that additional information. My neuro would never accept just a written report. She would accept a written report initially if it were written by another MS Specialist, but she would still want to see the MRI images. I think that this should be your case too. If not, I would have a difficult time to trust the veracity of my doctor.
In a run down of your symptoms, there are many and it is a good list. I can tell you that I share several of the same or similar symptoms which, for me, are caused by my MS.
From your list:
Last 5-10 Years
• Extreme fatigue
• Hip pain (started in left hip, had cortisone shot and it didn't help except the first hour), Pain went away for about 9 months after hysterectomy but has since returned.
• Hip pain has now started in right side and is especially noticeable when driving
• Left leg feels like it has been through a meat grinder then salt poured on it. Hypersensitive to clothes or touch. Last for days at a time. Travels down leg and usually stops at the foot but sometimes will travel back up the left side of shin.
• Shooting pain in head, like stabbing
I do not do meds but the aforementioned- I can relate to all of them.
The pain in your head- where is it located?
Further from your list:
Last 1-5 Years
• Cold feet and hands but left foot can be super cold compared to right. Sometimes it feels cold inside but not on the outside.
• Echoing and pain in left ear.
• Feels like I'm being bit by little bugs or stings. Mostly on legs and torso.
• Left ear has pain and sometimes sounds like it is open and noises are so loud they hurt my ear
• Left foot started to turn inward for about 3-4 weeks. Went away but I noticed it happening again a week ago.
• Muscle spasms/twitches, mainly on left leg but occurring everywhere
• Odd sensation in my brain, feels like waves
• Problems with heat, don't want to do anything outside on hot days as I hardly can move
• Racing heart when tired
• Shooting pains throughout my body
• Tingling in arms and legs led to burning sensations
• Tingling or bugs crawling on the back of my neck
• Tinnitus
• Voice has started turning hoarse when tired.
• Walking in to walls or furniture
I have kept those which are the same or similar. I experience pulsatile Tinnitus and there are some sounds I cannot stand. I wear a pair of shooter's ear protectors which are really great. I get those cold sensations mainly in the winter when the temperatures get to 52 F (11.11 c) or less. I will often wear gloves and a sock cap indoors because it is mainly my head and hands. If my feet feel that way, I may add 2-3 layers to my feet.
And as to your last year:
Past Year
• Arms and hands fall asleep while sleeping.
• Blurry Vision when waking on two occasions.
• Breathing difficulties at night while laying down, almost feels like I'm forgetting to breath, sometimes get a gurgling sound in my esophagus
• Burning in arms, shoulders, and hands (twice this year lasting for at least two months each, stopped for about five weeks)
• Complete loss for words on two occasions the most recent was end of May 2012
• Having a hard time picking up my feet to walk on 8-2-12
• Joint Pain in right index fingers and at times the elbows
• Left big toe is hard to bend, feels stiff
• Left foot started to turn inward for about 3-4 weeks. Went away but I noticed it happening again a week ago.
• Memory loss-more short term than long term
• Muscle tightness in neck, shoulders, and arms. When waking my calves feel really tight for about the first two minutes of walking. I'm constantly stretching those muscles.
• Numbness between the large toe and left toe. Is there most of the time but then it goes away for a few days and comes back
• Numbness in hands on 8-2-12
• Pain in heels but mostly only noticed when laying down and knees are bent
• Right foot feels like it is soaking in warm water
• Top of left ankle feels overly sensitive, arms, shoulders, and hands burning. Chest pain in left side, feels like pleurisy on 7-23-12
• Trouble putting sentences together at times
• Vision seems to be worsening assuming due to age.
Again, I can relate to similar symptoms. My vision problems (optic neuritis) last several days. As for resting in bed, I have found that I have less breathing difficulty if my upper body is elevated by at least 10-15 degrees. I have breathing problems and start coughing if I am flat.
The loss of words can be due to MS too (in addition to other possibilities). I have speech and memory difficulties which increase exponentially as I have mental exhaustion (brain fatigue). A long, solitary rest helps with this.
During the summer months I experience numb hands quite often. I will soak them in ice cold water and this seems to help me.
I could go on, but I did not want my reply to be too long. Now, many of your symptoms can be attributed to MS or an MS mimicry disease or physical problem. I would ask for a new MRI with and without contrast of your head through your T-spine. I would also ask for a VEP (visual evoked potential). I think that if you have an MS issue, these two tests would provide some information to justify further testing (my non-medical opinion!).
I will keep your needs in my prayers because you could certainly use some answers!
