I am 22 years old and I was diagnosed with MS about 6 months ago. I haven't done much research until recently and I found this message board. I found that everyone seemed very helpful and supportive and I think I need to talk to people who know what I am going through and how I feel. I have experienced optic neuritis, numbness in the face and numbness from the waist down, depression and anxiety, chronic fatigue, bowel problems like constipation and pain, as well as dizziness and vertigo, loss of balance, light headedness and cognitve problems. One thing that started happening a few days ago is pain on the left side of my body (feels like bruising) and lower back pain. I have experienced the muscle aches from my meds but this is different. has anyone esle experienced this? I have not found too much info on specific pains on the net so I figured I would ask.
Hi Smashly, and welcome! I'm sorry about the MS, but I'm glad you found our little family!
There are lots of people here who experience the symptoms you name every day, so you'll be in very good company! About your specific back pains, I have one too. I get a feeling that I can only describe as a red hot poker being stabbed in my back--and it's always in the same place. It was one of the many symptoms that lead to my diagnosis (September), and every test to find another cause for it came back clean. MS can cause nerve pain, neuropathy, pretty much anywhere. My MS specialist said that the lesions on my cervical spine, not the ones on my brain, are probably causing this pain.
It went away for a few months after steroids, but now it comes back when it feels like it, and always when I'm overly exhausted. A drug like Neurontin (Gabapentin) may help with the pain. It hasn't worked for me, but for others it's a life saver.
Good luck to you! Are you on any of the DMDs? You are young to be diagnosed. Please know that MS doesn't have to keep you from doing anything that you want to do. Also, feel free to vent away and ask questions here. The people here undersand! This board helped me a lot when I was first diagnosed, and it still does, every day. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, keep us updated!
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April
dx 9/07
Avonex started 11/07,
Stopped 4/10 due to no insurance.
HI Smashly- I wanted to say welcome, too. Sorry to hear about the dx, but you will definately benefit from sharing with us on this board. All of us have been where it sounds like you are- and all of us have bonded in a way that our significant others, family and friends will never be able to understand...try as they might- they just dont get MS fatigue or its symtoms! SO, welcome and feel free to unload here.
As for the symtoms you describe- some of them I can relate to. Ive had ON, and my initial dx was because of numbness and tingling, which never went away. Almost 2 years now, and I still have no use of my left hand or fingers- they hurt all the time...none of the drugs they have tried have helped- so I guess Im stuck with this for life..anxiety is something I also deal with...have you tried anything for it? I highly recommend Xanax to take the edge off...what started out as me taking them every day, went down to using them just now and then- but especially in the last few weeks, I find myself taking one at least every other day, just to deal with all Im going thru...have you tried it? It really helps..depression- I think is completely normal at the six month dx stage...youve now accepted that you have this disease, discovered how yucky some of the symtoms can be..I think its perfectly normal to be depressed right now; however, this can be something more serious, so please talk to your Neuro about it...in the meantime, vent here, ask questions and shout out to us...I found that this board literally saved me time and time again, and without it, Id be lost...I think youll find it helps you, too.
What drugs are you on? You mentioned something about your medication, but I dont think you said...are you on any interferons or Copaxone? Only asking, cuz this, too, can be a side effect- depression...just be on top of it and realize that if its hindering your life, you need to ask for help. ok?
Welcome again, and whatever we can do to help you..just let us know.
Nikki
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RRMS- dx 05
Rebif 2005-2011
LDN Sept. 2011
"Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End"
Thank-you Snoopy, April and Nikki for the response.
Nikki, I have been off of work now for about 5 weeks because of the anxiety. It was making me ill and I was having severe panic attacks. I went to the doctor and she put me on cymbalta. I experienced really bad side affects from it so two weeks ago she switched me to Paxil. I only experience a few side affects from paxil like headache, worsened dizziness, insomnia (still chronicly fatigued though just can't sleep at night), and increased appetite. But if I could take something that I could gradually wein myself off of that would be great. I will ask my doc about Xanax next time I am in. Is your hand and fingers paralyzed AND in extreme pain? I am currently taking Rebif I am only on week 8 of my titration schedule though so I am still getting used to it. I didn't even know that depression and anxiety (or a lot of my other symptoms for that matter) where related to MS until last night. I just did a bunch of research for the first time.
April, I am sorry I am still new at all this. I don't know what DMD's are. Did you have the spinal tap (I think that is what is called) done to find the lesions on your spine? My neuro had me scheduled for one before my official diagnosis but then I got my second attack and since my mom was concerned about me having the spinal one done (because they have to inject something into your blood stream or something, not entirely sure) I never had it done. I would like to know about the lesions on my spine though. And if it can affect my back pain like you said, it would be nice to know.
I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. Thank-you for making me feel welcome and your kind, uplifting words. hope to hear from you soon
Smashly
Did you have the spinal tap (I think that is what is called) done to find the lesions on your spine? My neuro had me scheduled for one before my official diagnosis but then I got my second attack and since my mom was concerned about me having the spinal one done (because they have to inject something into your blood stream or something, not entirely sure) I never had it done. I would like to know about the lesions on my spine though. And if it can affect my back pain like you said, it would be nice to know. 
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