M.S and pain - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

murphy65 · 07-26-2004, 11:23 AM

I have been reading alot of posts on here and was reluctant to write because I know how difficult m s is to diagnose and alot of my problems could be several other things. Here is my problem. I have alot of pain in my hands and feet and a little swelling in my right hand. I had mri's and a emg? about 4 yrs ago when I was having alot of numbness in my face and I had about a 6inch area on my middle upper back that was completey numb. The mri's were normal and so was the emg or eeg I'm not sure what it was but I had to be asleep with a bunch of wires hooked to my head. I was also having alot of vertigo and balance problems. I kinda gave up on finding out the problem and just lived with the problems as they started getting better. Now they have started again but are worse. My father has rapid progressive MS and is in pretty bad shape. It took them about 5yrs to diagnose him and within another 5 yrs he can hardly walk and slurs his speach real bad. I know that early treatment helps alot and I am worried that it took them that long to figure out what his problem was and by the time they figured it out it was too late to help him. The main question I have is I've read so many dr.s saying that ms patients do not have much pain but I have watched my dad in pain for years. I am wondering if these problems I am having now could be ms related. I guess you have more of a chance of developing ms when a close family member has it. There has got to be a reason for my problems and I don't think I have it just because my dad has it but I don't want to find out too late like he did either. In my experience with dr.s nowadays if you don't go in with a freaking horn growing out of your head then there is nothing wrong and you are just stressed out and depressed. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. thanks

Jewel2 · 07-26-2004, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphy65

In my experience with dr.s nowadays if you don't go in with a freaking horn growing out of your head then there is nothing wrong and you are just stressed out and depressed.

Hi Murphy,
Very well said (unfortunately)!

I agree that with your symptoms and your family history you should be concerned about MS, although I'm not sure about the swelling in your hand. My daughter has a lot of pain with her MS. She takes neurontin to keep it bearable.

What type of pain do you have in your feet and hands? Are they ever discolored? The reason I ask is that there is another nervous system disorder (thought to be auto-immune in origin, but not certain) that causes pain and swelling. It's called Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy (RSD or CRPS). I suffer with that. Sometimes my symptoms are very similar to my daughter's MS symptoms. It's just a thought.

Hope you find some answers.

Take care,
Julie

Dessell · 07-26-2004, 08:14 PM

Hi,
I agree with Julie and add if you feel something is'nt right with your body,,get checked!!I would go to a ms specialest and go thru the testing ,,better to find out early than later ,,prayers for your Dad.Good Luck,,Dessell

murphy65 · 07-26-2004, 09:53 PM

I have to have a nerve conduction test? tomorrow. Is there anything special I should ask for other than whatever the doctor ordered. Can they use this test to check for ms symptoms.

Jewel2 · 07-26-2004, 10:01 PM

Hi again. I may be incorrect, but I don't think a nerve conduction study does a whole lot to help diagnose MS. But it can be helpful to find out if a nerve is not functioning properly. I think with your symptoms it's not a bad idea to have one done. It will just become one piece of the puzzle that will hopefully get you closer to some answers.

Hang in there. Like Dessell said, you know your body best. If things aren't right, keep pressing for answers.

Take care,
Julie