Tasia W
07-31-2006, 06:19 PM
Hi, Last year I experienced what I have now found out to be a "neurological episode" I was overwhelmed with the stress of quitting my job,moving to a new town and starting a new life with my fiance.
One morning I woke up and I was numb from my torso down. My left leg was numb and highly sensitive to heat and cold. My right leg and foot had extreme pins and needles and I could barely move my leg and foot to walk. It felt like I had a brick tied to my foot which made it very difficult to walk. I also had hyper reflexes and could hardly stand anything touching them. My legs burned and felt like they were on fire. Believe it or not, I ignored what was happening to me and thought it just might be a pinched nerve. Still in denial of my symptoms I got on the trampoline with my future step daughter and was subsequently double bounced landing on my right foot. I heard a pop and then came the pain. At the emergency room xrays showed no breaks just a really bad sprain.
All last summer I was on crutches. I continued to ignore my pins and needles and tingling sensations because now I had a real physical injury to contend with. Well my ankle never healed properly because as it turns out I did break it and on one of my visits to my doctor I happened to mention the symptoms I was having prior to my ankle injury. She booked me an appointment with a neurologist and I just got the results back.
I have a lesion on my spine caused from inflamation (partial transverse myletis) and one very small bright spot on my brain. She said that the spot is so small and barely noticeable and that MRI's can pick up spots on the healthiest of brains. She also told me that it was more probable and likely that I have MS because all other tests including blood tests ruled out lupus and other related disorders. This is my regular physician that told me this and the next day she sent me back to the neurologist to review the results with her.
My neurologist told me that I had a good prognosis and that I was considered low risk to have another neurological episode within the next 5 years and she booked me for another MRI in 6 months. I guess I was a little stunned during my visit because I did not ask her any questions. She didn't seem too concerned and so I didn't want to seem concerned.
The numbness has not completely gone away on my upper right torso and I get daily muscle spasms in both my legs and feet. I sure notice it when I am swimming and when I am trying to sleep at night. Also, I am dealing with a broken foot and waiting to see a specialist. I think that if I could get my foot repaired I would feel a whole lot better. My right leg is noticeably weaker, you can see the muscle deteriation and I have been working hard to repair and build the muscles.
New symptom: for the past two weeks my left arm and hand has pins and needles and it is not going away. I told my neurologist and she told me that it is due to a pinched nerve and it is not related to a ms symptom. Of course I am worried because it is not going away. Also, I have experienced other symtoms that I did not relay to my neurologist because I did not think that it was related. I have experienced fatigue, numbness in my face and burning patches on different areas of my skin. Also, occassionally when I sleep at night I get an electric zap that runs from the back of my neck into the brain. I have lots of problems with my short term memory and my family is beginning to take notice.
I guess I am distressed because this seems to be a waiting game, do I have Ms or not? So sorry I do not mean to sound like a chronic complainer however, I am feeling a little frustrated and a whole lot scared. I would love to hear from anyone who has words of wisdom or advice.
Sincerely,
Tasia W
One morning I woke up and I was numb from my torso down. My left leg was numb and highly sensitive to heat and cold. My right leg and foot had extreme pins and needles and I could barely move my leg and foot to walk. It felt like I had a brick tied to my foot which made it very difficult to walk. I also had hyper reflexes and could hardly stand anything touching them. My legs burned and felt like they were on fire. Believe it or not, I ignored what was happening to me and thought it just might be a pinched nerve. Still in denial of my symptoms I got on the trampoline with my future step daughter and was subsequently double bounced landing on my right foot. I heard a pop and then came the pain. At the emergency room xrays showed no breaks just a really bad sprain.
All last summer I was on crutches. I continued to ignore my pins and needles and tingling sensations because now I had a real physical injury to contend with. Well my ankle never healed properly because as it turns out I did break it and on one of my visits to my doctor I happened to mention the symptoms I was having prior to my ankle injury. She booked me an appointment with a neurologist and I just got the results back.
I have a lesion on my spine caused from inflamation (partial transverse myletis) and one very small bright spot on my brain. She said that the spot is so small and barely noticeable and that MRI's can pick up spots on the healthiest of brains. She also told me that it was more probable and likely that I have MS because all other tests including blood tests ruled out lupus and other related disorders. This is my regular physician that told me this and the next day she sent me back to the neurologist to review the results with her.
My neurologist told me that I had a good prognosis and that I was considered low risk to have another neurological episode within the next 5 years and she booked me for another MRI in 6 months. I guess I was a little stunned during my visit because I did not ask her any questions. She didn't seem too concerned and so I didn't want to seem concerned.
The numbness has not completely gone away on my upper right torso and I get daily muscle spasms in both my legs and feet. I sure notice it when I am swimming and when I am trying to sleep at night. Also, I am dealing with a broken foot and waiting to see a specialist. I think that if I could get my foot repaired I would feel a whole lot better. My right leg is noticeably weaker, you can see the muscle deteriation and I have been working hard to repair and build the muscles.
New symptom: for the past two weeks my left arm and hand has pins and needles and it is not going away. I told my neurologist and she told me that it is due to a pinched nerve and it is not related to a ms symptom. Of course I am worried because it is not going away. Also, I have experienced other symtoms that I did not relay to my neurologist because I did not think that it was related. I have experienced fatigue, numbness in my face and burning patches on different areas of my skin. Also, occassionally when I sleep at night I get an electric zap that runs from the back of my neck into the brain. I have lots of problems with my short term memory and my family is beginning to take notice.
I guess I am distressed because this seems to be a waiting game, do I have Ms or not? So sorry I do not mean to sound like a chronic complainer however, I am feeling a little frustrated and a whole lot scared. I would love to hear from anyone who has words of wisdom or advice.
Sincerely,
Tasia W
Sponsor
hkholwerda
08-01-2006, 09:51 AM
It often takes a ling time to be diagnosed with MS because all other possibilities have to be eliminated. If you are looking for a great information web site visit www.nationalmssociety.org when I was first diagnosed the site helped a lot. In addition, they will send any pamphlets etc. that you request. Try not to be frustrated, stress just makes MS worse.
Take Care,
Holly
Take Care,
Holly
LaLady
08-01-2006, 10:27 AM
Tasia, I see a lot of people with "pins and needles" in their arms who have been on crutches for an extended period. The pressure in the arm pits can cause some nerve problems so that may be unrelated.
Did you neurologist start you on any meds? I am such a cheerleader for them that I have to watch what I say! Good luck with your next MRI. Did you have a lumbar puncture?
The road to diagnosis is a long and bumpy one, hang on and good luck.
Did you neurologist start you on any meds? I am such a cheerleader for them that I have to watch what I say! Good luck with your next MRI. Did you have a lumbar puncture?
The road to diagnosis is a long and bumpy one, hang on and good luck.
Tasia W
08-01-2006, 02:12 PM
Hi, I thank you for your kind comments. My neurologist did suggest meds for my spasticity however, I declined at this time (still in denial), however I will consider it in the future, I will keep you keep you posted on my Next MRI
Thanks,
Tasia
Thanks,
Tasia
Tasia W
08-01-2006, 02:15 PM
Thank you, I will be sure to check out that website!
Take care,
Tasia
Take care,
Tasia