w0rldflame
02-28-2009, 05:29 AM
In all honesty I don't know if I will ever get the answer to the question unless one of my "exasperation's" leads to total loss of feeling and not just partial.
I have felt great this entire pregnancy. Other then some fatigue my usual symptoms have completely stopped. Until two days ago my leg started up again and my foot started to feel numb, I was in allot of pain again and couldn't think straight. I dropped an entire plate of food on the floor and some other things. All of the sudden over the last week things are coming back. The only thing I noticed is that in the apartment it has been 80 degrees or hotter. I realized and thought to myself. Hmmmm.. it's getting hotter and all the sudden I am feeling worse again.
But, I am 7 months pregnant so if this was MS shouldn't I not have symptoms? So that means if I am having a relapse while pregnant that means it's not MS right?
I can't talk to my doctor because well I see an OB that I just started seeing when I got pregnant. I know he will say it's pregnancy hormones blah blah blah. Without knowing the history of the last couple of years. Plus he is an OB.
I honestly don't think that I will get answers after baby is born because they will just say its fatigue from having a new baby. Or I need to lose weight ( which I did all of this last time and the symptoms still progressed ) It is always something. No test except some blood-work and then tell me I am just stressing.
I really don't want to have to burn my hand on an open flame and not feel it or have my leg (s) stop working before they take it serious and actually look at it.
Maybe it is all muscular. You know TMJ throwing upper-back out which is throwing lower-back out and causing allot of numbness, Lack of blood-flow and confusion etc....
The fact is I am pregnant and if it was MS I should be symptom free right? that is what is confusing me. I feel like a nutcase.
Well, summer is coming but I will also have a new baby so I guess I have to wait and see.
Is it wrong to say I hope something happens so that I can get a definite answer, rather then hearing "well, it could be this or that".
OK.. done...
I have felt great this entire pregnancy. Other then some fatigue my usual symptoms have completely stopped. Until two days ago my leg started up again and my foot started to feel numb, I was in allot of pain again and couldn't think straight. I dropped an entire plate of food on the floor and some other things. All of the sudden over the last week things are coming back. The only thing I noticed is that in the apartment it has been 80 degrees or hotter. I realized and thought to myself. Hmmmm.. it's getting hotter and all the sudden I am feeling worse again.
But, I am 7 months pregnant so if this was MS shouldn't I not have symptoms? So that means if I am having a relapse while pregnant that means it's not MS right?
I can't talk to my doctor because well I see an OB that I just started seeing when I got pregnant. I know he will say it's pregnancy hormones blah blah blah. Without knowing the history of the last couple of years. Plus he is an OB.
I honestly don't think that I will get answers after baby is born because they will just say its fatigue from having a new baby. Or I need to lose weight ( which I did all of this last time and the symptoms still progressed ) It is always something. No test except some blood-work and then tell me I am just stressing.
I really don't want to have to burn my hand on an open flame and not feel it or have my leg (s) stop working before they take it serious and actually look at it.
Maybe it is all muscular. You know TMJ throwing upper-back out which is throwing lower-back out and causing allot of numbness, Lack of blood-flow and confusion etc....
The fact is I am pregnant and if it was MS I should be symptom free right? that is what is confusing me. I feel like a nutcase.
Well, summer is coming but I will also have a new baby so I guess I have to wait and see.
Is it wrong to say I hope something happens so that I can get a definite answer, rather then hearing "well, it could be this or that".
OK.. done...
Sponsor
w0rldflame
02-28-2009, 05:41 AM
Just to let you know. Yes I previously had burned myself on a 400 degree oven rack and didn't feel it till I burnt a small hole into the side of my hand. I had no after effects either. The sense that is was on fire and needed ice.
I have had problems with my leg being mostly useless.
I just wanted to clarify I was not stating that as an insensitivity to those with these issues. It was more of a frustration that this happened before when I was without insurance. But, since I just started seeing a new doctor and am pregnant I know what they will tell me because it is what they told me before.
Thanks.
I have had problems with my leg being mostly useless.
I just wanted to clarify I was not stating that as an insensitivity to those with these issues. It was more of a frustration that this happened before when I was without insurance. But, since I just started seeing a new doctor and am pregnant I know what they will tell me because it is what they told me before.
Thanks.
Snoopy61
02-28-2009, 08:36 AM
But, I am 7 months pregnant so if this was MS shouldn't I not have symptoms? So that means if I am having a relapse while pregnant that means it's not MS right?
Wrong.
Relapses can happen even during pregnancy. It is a myth that when your pregnant your MS stays in remission - some do, some don't. It's also a myth that when you have MS you will have a relapse post-partum - some do, some don't.
Do you have MS? I don't know, but having symptoms and being 7 months pregnant does not indicate you do not.
I would suggest you contact your neuro and let him/her know. If your not diagnosed it's important to let your neuro know about any changes. It could help in getting diagnosed rather it's MS or something else.
Wrong.
Relapses can happen even during pregnancy. It is a myth that when your pregnant your MS stays in remission - some do, some don't. It's also a myth that when you have MS you will have a relapse post-partum - some do, some don't.
Do you have MS? I don't know, but having symptoms and being 7 months pregnant does not indicate you do not.
I would suggest you contact your neuro and let him/her know. If your not diagnosed it's important to let your neuro know about any changes. It could help in getting diagnosed rather it's MS or something else.
Carol72
02-28-2009, 09:56 AM
Snoopy is right.
Statistics have shown that for some reason many women who are pregnant experience no or less symptoms. That doesn't mean that pregnant women will NEVER have a relapse or experience symptoms when pregnant. I would not take what you're experiencing as a definitive indication that you do not have MS.
I would also call your neurologist if I were you, and tell him what you are experiencing....
Statistics have shown that for some reason many women who are pregnant experience no or less symptoms. That doesn't mean that pregnant women will NEVER have a relapse or experience symptoms when pregnant. I would not take what you're experiencing as a definitive indication that you do not have MS.
I would also call your neurologist if I were you, and tell him what you are experiencing....
MSJayhawk
02-28-2009, 10:43 AM
Congratulations on your expected child:)
Being pregnant MS can take a hiatus due to the hormones produced during pregnancy. Your doctor should be made aware that you had MS symptoms prior. Post-pregnancy, with the reduction of pregnancy produced hormones, can bring on symptoms (not always).
I burned myself with welding sparks while teaching my son. A drop of metal fell on my ankle. I did not notice until I smelled it. Although it was a bad burn, I was lucky because it was only about 50 mm in diameter. The scar remains as a reminder that while my intentions were good my use of the equipment was dangerous to myself! I can imagine burning yourself in the kitchen. When I am in the kitchen in my power chair, I will keep protection on my lap. The best thing for me is a wooden board on which I can work.
Being pregnant MS can take a hiatus due to the hormones produced during pregnancy. Your doctor should be made aware that you had MS symptoms prior. Post-pregnancy, with the reduction of pregnancy produced hormones, can bring on symptoms (not always).
I burned myself with welding sparks while teaching my son. A drop of metal fell on my ankle. I did not notice until I smelled it. Although it was a bad burn, I was lucky because it was only about 50 mm in diameter. The scar remains as a reminder that while my intentions were good my use of the equipment was dangerous to myself! I can imagine burning yourself in the kitchen. When I am in the kitchen in my power chair, I will keep protection on my lap. The best thing for me is a wooden board on which I can work.
Bearygood
02-28-2009, 11:23 AM
The explanation given for why this is seen is hormones. I think largely because of what has been observed in pregnancy, there have been (and are) studies going on with estriol. What I've read about relapses afterwards cites the *sharp* drop in hormones as the reason.
That said, ditto to what Snoopy and Carol wrote. Everyone is different and there is no guarantee that your MS sx will disappear during pregnancy or that you'll relapse afterwards.
Congratulations on the impending arrival! Please think of all the joy that will soon come into your life and try not to fret. :angel:
That said, ditto to what Snoopy and Carol wrote. Everyone is different and there is no guarantee that your MS sx will disappear during pregnancy or that you'll relapse afterwards.
Congratulations on the impending arrival! Please think of all the joy that will soon come into your life and try not to fret. :angel:
Carol72
02-28-2009, 11:32 AM
The explanation given for why this is seen is hormones. I think largely because of what has been observed in pregnancy, there have been (and are) studies going on with estriol. What I've read about relapses afterwards cites the *sharp* drop in hormones as the reason.
You still have those hormones in your system for a few weeks post-partem which I guess is why they say most people may have a relapse not until within the first few weeks after delivery. Meaning, most don't have a relapse at the moment of delivery.
I have heard about researchers possibly looking into that pregnancy hormone to isolate it and see if it could be used as a possible MS therapy.
You still have those hormones in your system for a few weeks post-partem which I guess is why they say most people may have a relapse not until within the first few weeks after delivery. Meaning, most don't have a relapse at the moment of delivery.
I have heard about researchers possibly looking into that pregnancy hormone to isolate it and see if it could be used as a possible MS therapy.
Bearygood
02-28-2009, 11:43 AM
The last study I heard about (not sure if it's still going on) is in conjunction with Copaxone. Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl from UCLA is the one at the forefront of this research. On the hormonal front, a lot of women seem to become more symptomatic during changes later in life as well (menopause and peri-menopause). Interesting, isn't it? I think there's something to this but as with everything MS, one size does not fit all! One of the things that makes getting "THE" answer difficult (although IMHO, I don't think there's one finite answer).
w0rldflame
02-28-2009, 06:40 PM
Thank you all for your words of wisdom. Darn I thought maybe it was a sign that it wasn't it.
I will have to talk to my doctor. If I can ever get an appointment where my 7 year old doesn't come with me. I really don't want to talk about all this stuff infront of her. Not to mention it is hard to get a word in edgewise when she is around ;)
See I had always heard if you had symptoms during pregnancy then it was proof positive that it wasn't MS. Of course even the doctors that I have seen didn't even know how MS worked and told me some of these things.
I will keep working with it. We have good insurance now that covers just about everything. It is just a matter of getting the doctor to listen to me without writing it off as stress.
As I said I need to get an apt and a babysitter and sit down and tell them what symptoms I had before being pregnant etc... I just get so tongue tied around the doctor and then I look like a loon ( I have been told this LOL )
MSJayhawk: Yes when I burnt my hand on the oven rack I just kind of stared at wondering why it didn't hurt. I thought maybe I just wasn't paying attention and it would start to burn as an after effect. It never did.
then two weeks later I burnt my wrist on a pot, Now that one I felt.
I have said before at this point I don't care if it turned out that the doctor was right and it was MS or if it was some sort of pinched and compressed nerve. The research that I have done has been back and forth. One says a pinched nerve can cause numbness and tingling, but only in the area it is pinched. So unless I have allot of pinched nerves it doesn't seem likely. I have seen a chiroprator before as well and it didn't help.
Ok, Sorry so long. Please all have a wonderful weekend.
I will have to talk to my doctor. If I can ever get an appointment where my 7 year old doesn't come with me. I really don't want to talk about all this stuff infront of her. Not to mention it is hard to get a word in edgewise when she is around ;)
See I had always heard if you had symptoms during pregnancy then it was proof positive that it wasn't MS. Of course even the doctors that I have seen didn't even know how MS worked and told me some of these things.
I will keep working with it. We have good insurance now that covers just about everything. It is just a matter of getting the doctor to listen to me without writing it off as stress.
As I said I need to get an apt and a babysitter and sit down and tell them what symptoms I had before being pregnant etc... I just get so tongue tied around the doctor and then I look like a loon ( I have been told this LOL )
MSJayhawk: Yes when I burnt my hand on the oven rack I just kind of stared at wondering why it didn't hurt. I thought maybe I just wasn't paying attention and it would start to burn as an after effect. It never did.
then two weeks later I burnt my wrist on a pot, Now that one I felt.
I have said before at this point I don't care if it turned out that the doctor was right and it was MS or if it was some sort of pinched and compressed nerve. The research that I have done has been back and forth. One says a pinched nerve can cause numbness and tingling, but only in the area it is pinched. So unless I have allot of pinched nerves it doesn't seem likely. I have seen a chiroprator before as well and it didn't help.
Ok, Sorry so long. Please all have a wonderful weekend.
MSJayhawk
02-28-2009, 06:49 PM
Your 7 year old is old enough to understand and to help out. My youngest was 3.5 when I went on disability. I explained to him many times what was going on physically. He was happy to help me and today, at 10 years old, nothing seems to bother him except dissections in biology (he felt sorry for the pig fetus).
There are a number of books written for the child to explain about MS. I would get one and let her read it. You may be surprised how resilient she will be, especially now as she is "big sister".
There are a number of books written for the child to explain about MS. I would get one and let her read it. You may be surprised how resilient she will be, especially now as she is "big sister".
anxiousme
03-01-2009, 01:23 AM
Congratulations on the healthy pregnancy. With my son, I had symptoms throughout the pregnancy. However, I was not dx until 7 most post-delivery. I had terrible migraines and vertigo. That is when I had a MRI that led to dx.
Just an FYI, UCSF has a great MS center. Great doctors. If you have the opportunity to go there, I would recommend it.
Good Luck. Don't add undo stress to yourself at this point. Get lots of rest (before baby arrives). Eat well... Your dx will come in time, MS or not. Just enjoy being a mom again. Congrats again.:D
Just an FYI, UCSF has a great MS center. Great doctors. If you have the opportunity to go there, I would recommend it.
Good Luck. Don't add undo stress to yourself at this point. Get lots of rest (before baby arrives). Eat well... Your dx will come in time, MS or not. Just enjoy being a mom again. Congrats again.:D
w0rldflame
03-01-2009, 04:40 AM
Jayhawk: Very true she may be able to help. I just don't want to scare her at this point or cause unneccassary worry. If it turned out to be MS then I would sit her down and explain it. But, at this point I want her to feel stable and not how I feel being in limboland :)
Anx: that is very interesting to hear. Funny how everyone before told me to get pregnant and if the symptoms remained then it wasn't it. LOL I guess it just goes to show that is not always the case.
FYI: That's not why I got pregnant ;)
I will def have to talk to my doctor. I have an apt this thursday, I will judge then if it's a good thing to bring up or not. I may even ask about seeing a neuro because of my previous history with seziures. That might work.
Thanks again all. :) if you don't see me for awhile it's because I have been sleeping ALLOT.. But I do check the board everynight. I don't hardly ever post. But I do keep up with what's going on.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Anx: that is very interesting to hear. Funny how everyone before told me to get pregnant and if the symptoms remained then it wasn't it. LOL I guess it just goes to show that is not always the case.
FYI: That's not why I got pregnant ;)
I will def have to talk to my doctor. I have an apt this thursday, I will judge then if it's a good thing to bring up or not. I may even ask about seeing a neuro because of my previous history with seziures. That might work.
Thanks again all. :) if you don't see me for awhile it's because I have been sleeping ALLOT.. But I do check the board everynight. I don't hardly ever post. But I do keep up with what's going on.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
MSJayhawk
03-01-2009, 10:49 AM
I can understand your wanting to shield your daughter from the angst of your limbo land. Keep in mind that children do know when parents are hurting. Sometimes children will assume that they are the ones at fault. A simple explanation is often the best remedy. You are in my prayers, I hope that you do not have MS and that your delivery will be easy with a healthy baby. :angel:
I have found that while I am unable to do many things a father might do with his son, just being there for them provides a safe, stable, and enriching relationship. MS is not fatal, it just slows you down.
I have found that while I am unable to do many things a father might do with his son, just being there for them provides a safe, stable, and enriching relationship. MS is not fatal, it just slows you down.