tee_cee
01-13-2004, 04:16 PM
Over several years I have had a number of symptoms, which have slowly increased in number. I am concerned that I may have MS, but obviously the symptoms may point to other things. In all honesty I am slightly scared to go to my GP (which I concede I must do)
The symptoms started a few years ago with a facial twitch (subsided after 1 week, has returned once since for a similar period), then a mild tingling in my right little finger (at this point a family member was diagnosed with MS and I read up on it over the net and noticed I had the tingling but decided that it was nothing!). Shortly after this I began to get a tingling sensation on and off on the right side of my stomach. This was followed by a similar sensation on the left side, maybe 12 months later.
Recently I have started getting the same tingling (is there most of the time but gets worse occasionally) down the side of my left leg and also at the rear of my left arm. This has been accompanied by a change in my bladder control - I am going more often and many times I have the overwhelming urge to pee but when I get to the toilet I am surprised by how little urine I pass. In addition I have had a couple of bouts of facial neuralgia and am more tired and irritable than I used to be (but I put that part down to having three children!)
Am I worrying unnecessarily? ANY words of wisdom from those experienced in MS would be calming - alternative diagnosis perhaps????
Many thanks
Tony C
The symptoms started a few years ago with a facial twitch (subsided after 1 week, has returned once since for a similar period), then a mild tingling in my right little finger (at this point a family member was diagnosed with MS and I read up on it over the net and noticed I had the tingling but decided that it was nothing!). Shortly after this I began to get a tingling sensation on and off on the right side of my stomach. This was followed by a similar sensation on the left side, maybe 12 months later.
Recently I have started getting the same tingling (is there most of the time but gets worse occasionally) down the side of my left leg and also at the rear of my left arm. This has been accompanied by a change in my bladder control - I am going more often and many times I have the overwhelming urge to pee but when I get to the toilet I am surprised by how little urine I pass. In addition I have had a couple of bouts of facial neuralgia and am more tired and irritable than I used to be (but I put that part down to having three children!)
Am I worrying unnecessarily? ANY words of wisdom from those experienced in MS would be calming - alternative diagnosis perhaps????
Many thanks
Tony C
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Mom_of_two
01-13-2004, 11:48 PM
Hello there. I have MS, got dx with RR-MS last summer. I am 37 years old.
A lot of the symptoms you have described sound like they could be signs of MS, although there is no sure way of knowing unless you see a doctor, preferably a neurologist. If he/she is concerned, then you will most likely get an MRI done. Be sure to request it of your brain and spine, because lesions can show up in both places. A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) may also be needed to confirm any kind of a diagnosis. There is a blood test available now (in Austria) that can detect MS, but I have no idea if it's available in your area or not.
MS often mimics other health problems as well, so that is why it is best to get checked out by a doctor ASAP. If it is MS, you want to start some type of a treatment right away to slow down the progression of the disease, therefore less flare-ups. I, myself, started Copaxone injections in October of 2003, and so far it is going well.
I wish you lots of luck, but please don't put it off any longer. Go see a doctor, you deserve to know what is going on with you. Take care, and let us know how you are doing when you get the chance. God bless!
A lot of the symptoms you have described sound like they could be signs of MS, although there is no sure way of knowing unless you see a doctor, preferably a neurologist. If he/she is concerned, then you will most likely get an MRI done. Be sure to request it of your brain and spine, because lesions can show up in both places. A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) may also be needed to confirm any kind of a diagnosis. There is a blood test available now (in Austria) that can detect MS, but I have no idea if it's available in your area or not.
MS often mimics other health problems as well, so that is why it is best to get checked out by a doctor ASAP. If it is MS, you want to start some type of a treatment right away to slow down the progression of the disease, therefore less flare-ups. I, myself, started Copaxone injections in October of 2003, and so far it is going well.
I wish you lots of luck, but please don't put it off any longer. Go see a doctor, you deserve to know what is going on with you. Take care, and let us know how you are doing when you get the chance. God bless!
tee_cee
01-21-2004, 03:57 AM
Thanks mom_of_two for your kind and helpful words. I went to my Doctor yesterday and I have to go for some blood tests and see him again in 2 weeks, so I'll know more then
Kind regards,
Tony C
Kind regards,
Tony C
californiasunflower
01-22-2004, 03:17 PM
tee cee--Hi! :wave: Glad to hear that you're going to the doctors. Hope it is a neurologist.
tee_cee
01-22-2004, 05:06 PM
It was just the first GP appointment - got sent for blood tests (which I did yesterday) and given some tablets to treat a bladder or urinary tract infection (just in case...), but the GP's parting shot was that the 'sensation disturbancies' were his primary concern.
I assume from doing a bit of reading up that the blood tests are for general well-being and to eliminate diabetes since the tiredness/irritability/numbness are symptoms - although I went to great pains to point out that I couldn't class the tingling as numbness in the "I can't feel anything" sense of the word.
I have noticed that my though processes are not as concise and sharp as they used to be either and lose my train of thought often. I used to pride myself on my memory too, but short term memory is definately not what it was (although I know my credit card numbers, licence number, all my car registration plates, you know all that REAL useful stuff. I have a fairly demanding job and can honextly say that if this is more than a temporary hiccup, then my work will be affected.
I have another appointment on the 4th Feb at which I will get the blood test results. I will try and raise the MS issue then, but I want to let the GP's training help eliminate things before I throw in any amateur diagnosis!
I check the board daily now - I'll let you know.
Today has been a bit of a rough one though - very tired by mid afternoon and my left thigh is generally tingling (comes and goes in 'rushes' that ar like when someone walks over your grave, if you get my meaning), with some other tingling in my stomach and left arm and the ever present feeling of not-quite-right in my rright little finger.
Anyway, I've said enough for tonight!
Bye for now
TC
I assume from doing a bit of reading up that the blood tests are for general well-being and to eliminate diabetes since the tiredness/irritability/numbness are symptoms - although I went to great pains to point out that I couldn't class the tingling as numbness in the "I can't feel anything" sense of the word.
I have noticed that my though processes are not as concise and sharp as they used to be either and lose my train of thought often. I used to pride myself on my memory too, but short term memory is definately not what it was (although I know my credit card numbers, licence number, all my car registration plates, you know all that REAL useful stuff. I have a fairly demanding job and can honextly say that if this is more than a temporary hiccup, then my work will be affected.
I have another appointment on the 4th Feb at which I will get the blood test results. I will try and raise the MS issue then, but I want to let the GP's training help eliminate things before I throw in any amateur diagnosis!
I check the board daily now - I'll let you know.
Today has been a bit of a rough one though - very tired by mid afternoon and my left thigh is generally tingling (comes and goes in 'rushes' that ar like when someone walks over your grave, if you get my meaning), with some other tingling in my stomach and left arm and the ever present feeling of not-quite-right in my rright little finger.
Anyway, I've said enough for tonight!
Bye for now
TC
SapphireSky
01-23-2004, 02:38 AM
Tony, hopefully your doctor will suggest seeing a neurologist to figure out your sensory issues. When I went to my primary care physician a little over a year ago with symptoms of numbness, etc., he sent me to a neuro where I was diagnosed with MS this past October. I hope that you do not have MS, and I hope you find the answers to everything soon.....waiting is the hardest!!
tee_cee
01-24-2004, 04:45 PM
I hope he will too - either that or the blood tests I had the other day will be clear and give a definate diagnosis of something else.
I have been given some tablets for the 'urge incontinence' - one of the side effects is drowsiness. Damn I'm absolutely exhausted! The general tiredness is giving the tingling a new lease of life and has left me with tingling scalp, stomach, left arm, left leg - all far worse than normal. The constant tingling is giving me the urge to itch more than usual (and I itch a lot anyway!)
MS or not, something is playing havoc with me at the moment and whilst not painful, its so distracting.
I'll keep you all posted
TC
I have been given some tablets for the 'urge incontinence' - one of the side effects is drowsiness. Damn I'm absolutely exhausted! The general tiredness is giving the tingling a new lease of life and has left me with tingling scalp, stomach, left arm, left leg - all far worse than normal. The constant tingling is giving me the urge to itch more than usual (and I itch a lot anyway!)
MS or not, something is playing havoc with me at the moment and whilst not painful, its so distracting.
I'll keep you all posted
TC
tee_cee
01-27-2004, 01:42 PM
Had the blood test results today - all clear and fine, so I don't really know where that leaves me! Roll on the 4th Feb so I can discuss this in detail with the GP
TC
TC
jensmecko
02-04-2004, 04:41 PM
Tony,
MS symptoms can be deceiving, so you might want some professional information.
Take care.
P.S. One piece of advise, don't start freaking out until you talk to your doctor. :wave:
MS symptoms can be deceiving, so you might want some professional information.
Take care.
P.S. One piece of advise, don't start freaking out until you talk to your doctor. :wave:
tee_cee
02-05-2004, 02:04 PM
Well, it's the 5th today, which means I had my GP appointment yesterday.
He has decided that he will refer me to a Consultant Neurologist straight away - the blood tests were absolutely normal and with the worsening of the symptoms he openly discussed the possibility of MS yesterday.
Now I have to wait for the appointment - could be up to 3 months!
<sigh>
TC
He has decided that he will refer me to a Consultant Neurologist straight away - the blood tests were absolutely normal and with the worsening of the symptoms he openly discussed the possibility of MS yesterday.
Now I have to wait for the appointment - could be up to 3 months!
<sigh>
TC
SapphireSky
02-05-2004, 02:54 PM
Sorry you may have to wait so long for a neuro appt.....I think most MS patients will tell you that they spend half their lives WAITING!!! Think positively.....you got the referral you wanted from your GP and are on the road to maybe finding some answers. :)
Keep us posted!! The very best to you in this journey!
Keep us posted!! The very best to you in this journey!
californiasunflower
02-06-2004, 09:22 PM
Tee Cee! Glad that you have your neuro appointment! Do you know what to expect or prepare for that visit? The neuro will want your background medical hx and a list of all your medications you are taking, including the dosages. Be able to advise how long a symptom lasts, level of pain 1 to 10. Have a list of questions written out so you won't forget to ask them. Good luck! Let us know what the outcome of the visit was! :)
tee_cee
02-07-2004, 04:42 AM
I'll need to list the symptoms/questions out - I'll forget them if I don't (lose my train of thought way too often for my liking).
Arms very heavy yesterday and today, feel like I've been lifting weights. Neuralgia in my face has subsided, but now left with a very noteable change in sensation from one side of my face to the other.
Now I just have to wait for the neuro appt. My GP did feel that I may not have to wait too long - he thought the neurologist might book me in early as with completely normal blood tests etc the referral is for confirmation or not that I have MS, as opposed to appointments for narrowing down the diagnosis field. That is an abridged version of the 20 minute conversation I had with my GP by the way - he was much more subtle than I have been and is being quite supportive (mind you, I don't think he was expecting me to be so jovial about his preliminary diagnosis - I just want to know what I have and if I have MS to get my critical illness policy payout so I can clear my mortgage and concentrate on MY HEALTH and not get stressed over bills - stress worsens the symptoms after all!)
Thanks for everyones kind words and support
TC
Arms very heavy yesterday and today, feel like I've been lifting weights. Neuralgia in my face has subsided, but now left with a very noteable change in sensation from one side of my face to the other.
Now I just have to wait for the neuro appt. My GP did feel that I may not have to wait too long - he thought the neurologist might book me in early as with completely normal blood tests etc the referral is for confirmation or not that I have MS, as opposed to appointments for narrowing down the diagnosis field. That is an abridged version of the 20 minute conversation I had with my GP by the way - he was much more subtle than I have been and is being quite supportive (mind you, I don't think he was expecting me to be so jovial about his preliminary diagnosis - I just want to know what I have and if I have MS to get my critical illness policy payout so I can clear my mortgage and concentrate on MY HEALTH and not get stressed over bills - stress worsens the symptoms after all!)
Thanks for everyones kind words and support
TC