monkey711
02-29-2008, 12:08 AM
Hi. I am 54. I have been feeling scared that I might have MS. My brother has MS. I was not feeling well again this month and started taking note of my symptoms over the past several years which started in my early 30's. This time I have had a lot of stiffness in my legs and arms with fatigue. I still feel a little weakness in my legs. I have been diagnosed with Raynauds(sp?) syndrome, my toes get either real hot and red or white and I can not feel my toes. Years ago I had a couple of episodes where my legs were so heavy I could hardly walk up steps. I am dizzy a lot. Many times throughout the year I will start to feel so fatigued I can hardly do anything, I will get dizzy and sometimes have body aches. This lasts for 2 to 5 days and then goes away. I always think I must have some kind of flu. When I read or watch TV I often will get double vision. My eye doctor has not found anything wrong. I have had episodes of numbness on the skin in my leg, or sometimes it is painful to touch and notice that I cannot feel the water from the shower in certain parts of my body. Sometimes my scalp gets real tender to touch. I have tingling and burning sensation in my legs and feet. I am very sensitive to the extreme heat and humidity totally drains me. I also have depression and anxiety but my anxiety has been really bad lately. Lately at night before I sleep I have been getting a quick jerk in one of my legs or arms. Over the years I have never given MS a thought because when my brother was diagnosed several years ago he lost total control of his leg. But now I am wondering. I am wondering if my doctor will take me seriously or think it is anxiety. But can anxiety cause all of these symptoms. I have not read here where anyone here gets double vision when reading. My eyes will get blurry when watching TV. I also have a buzzing in my ears. I am feeling kind of scared and any words out there would help. Thank you for listening.
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Nenu
02-29-2008, 05:45 AM
Don't be scared hun. Just find yourself a good doctor or specialist in your area to conference with and look into this further. Not knowing what is going on with you is going to be more detrimental to you than knowing what is going on, trust me. You'll feel more relieved after speaking with someone and getting help.
Bearygood
02-29-2008, 11:56 AM
Hi, monkey. With the sx you're experiencing (including the Raynaud's) and the fact that there is MS in your family, a doctor should certainly be taking you seriously and doing all the necessary tests -- blood work, brain MRI (with and without contrast) to start. If they don't listen, find another doctor!
Please keep us posted and let us know if we can help with more information. MS is a very individualized disease and even when it runs in families, not everyone will experience it the same way. Good luck -- we'll look forward to your update. :)
Please keep us posted and let us know if we can help with more information. MS is a very individualized disease and even when it runs in families, not everyone will experience it the same way. Good luck -- we'll look forward to your update. :)
limpster
02-29-2008, 12:26 PM
I certainly agree with the other posters as far as seeing a neuro or MS specialist. I would also take your list of concerns with you because I know when I get nervous I forget alot.
My brother has MS and so do I:( He was diagnosed 7 years before me.
I just knew I had it but waited a couple of years before seeing a specialist (dumb move on my part but I was scared.)
I wish you luck on your journey. Please keep us posted on how you are doing:)
My brother has MS and so do I:( He was diagnosed 7 years before me.
I just knew I had it but waited a couple of years before seeing a specialist (dumb move on my part but I was scared.)
I wish you luck on your journey. Please keep us posted on how you are doing:)
sandi43
02-29-2008, 03:31 PM
Hi there, I have a lot of those symptoms, and I was diagnoised in2000. It took them 12 years to find the answer. I feel like I have the flu when I get my flare-ups, and it comes with anxiety too. I get heavy legs burning sensations, and vision problems. Mostly shakey eyes( nagstag somethig).. I agree with the others , find a good MS specialist, because not knowing is the worst! I will pray for you! :angel:
monkey711
02-29-2008, 10:33 PM
Thank you everyone for your encouragement. I do have a doctor's appointment in a couple of weeks. What is really weird about this is that I was planning on training and walking in the 50 mile walk for MS in September in Minneapolis with my daughter. I have been walking but my legs have been feeling too weak for the past couple of weeks. Hopefully I will still be able to participate when I get my strength back but have noticed that I get these bouts many times after I exercise a lot. I will keep you posted. It is comforting to know there are people out there who understand and a place to share feelings and concerns.:)
Nenu
03-01-2008, 12:40 AM
Anything to take your mind off your current health for the positive is good, especially surrounding yourself with loved ones. We're here for you as well. :angel:
monkey711
03-07-2008, 11:30 PM
Hi. I went to the doctor on March 5 and was so glad she took me seriously. After reading some of the posts I was hoping she wouldn't suggest it was just anxiety. I have already had my blood work done and today had a brain MRI. On the 10th I will have a nerve conduction study and on the 18th she ordered ultrasounds for me. She wants to rule out cardiac/circulatory. Today as I was in the MRI I was thinking that I am really relieved to be having all of these tests. One part of me doesn't want a diagnosis ( I keep telling myself it's my hormones), but a part of me knows that things have not been right for a long time. It's good to know that I am having a thorough workup. I find comfort and encouragement in your posts. Whether I am diagnosed with MS or not, I will definitely do what I can to help raise funds and awareness for this disease. God Bless you all.
Nenu
03-08-2008, 12:12 AM
Hi. I went to the doctor on March 5 and was so glad she took me seriously. After reading some of the posts I was hoping she wouldn't suggest it was just anxiety. I have already had my blood work done and today had a brain MRI. On the 10th I will have a nerve conduction study and on the 18th she ordered ultrasounds for me. She wants to rule out cardiac/circulatory. Today as I was in the MRI I was thinking that I am really relieved to be having all of these tests. One part of me doesn't want a diagnosis ( I keep telling myself it's my hormones), but a part of me knows that things have not been right for a long time. It's good to know that I am having a thorough workup. I find comfort and encouragement in your posts. Whether I am diagnosed with MS or not, I will definitely do what I can to help raise funds and awareness for this disease. God Bless you all.
Very happy to hear this, and that you are being taken seriously. Having those tests, definitely a relief. I wish the best for you. :angel:
Very happy to hear this, and that you are being taken seriously. Having those tests, definitely a relief. I wish the best for you. :angel:

