Worried I have MS - can anyone help me? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

tee_cee · 01-13-2004, 01:16 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

Mom_of_two · 01-13-2004, 08:48 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!

tee_cee · 01-21-2004, 12:57 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

californiasunflower · 01-22-2004, 12:17 PM

tee cee--Hi!

Glad to hear that you're going to the doctors. Hope it is a neurologist.

tee_cee · 01-22-2004, 02:06 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