I wonder if I have MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

ash100 · 06-12-2005, 08:25 AM

Hi

I have not been diagnosed with MS but have had symptoms for 2 years now and to get your thoughts at this time would be very interesting to me and I would be most grateful. You hear some people go years without being diagnosed without MS - so maybe that means that with some people all tests can come out negative for years - I don't know

I wonder how many years someone has to go through getting negative MRIs and negative physical examinations by a neurologist for MS to be considered unlikely?

My symptoms started off with headaches followed by two years of constant tingling in my left hand and left foot - has anyone else had constant tinlging in their MS for two years (like I have) in their MS stories?

Whilst my latest neurological examination came out clear I did have brisk relexes (however Doctor tells me that that in its self can just be down to anxiety?

Whilst I do not have any medical training I can't think what else it could be if it not MS.

I have added my symptom history below in case it may help.

April03 got headaches for 3 months. Had Neurological
physical test - clear. Had brain mri in June 03 - clear.
Immediately since I had June 03 MRI scan headaches stopped and tingling on fingers and toes on left side started. Since June 03 this spread to whole hand and arm. Tingling in foot more noticable and has not stopped for last two years. Tingling in hand maybe less noticeable. Everyonce in a while I feel pain in my arms and shins (maybe more after alcohol or when tired). In April 05 I got hit from behind by car and 3 days later got tingling in left part of back (intermittent)and my left foot became numb for a day whilst whole of
left foot is not numb now my little toe is all the time since accident. I
keep getting pains in my left arm as well now and the top of my left foot

Ash

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schamp · 06-12-2005, 10:40 AM

Hi Ash!
I am new here too, and was going to post a very similar thread.
I started having tingling in my left leg 4 years ago, while pg with my first. It went away, and I forgot about it until pg with my second. It didn't go away after he was born, and slowly seemed to get worse.
I went to see my dr when my left arm started tingling and going numb. I had also started to become extremely fatigued, dizzy, and having cognitive difficulties at this time
I've always had a problem with headaches, and have had a few episodes where my eyes were funny. I'd go a couple days of blurry vision, and pain in the eyes. They would feel like they were swollen 5 times larger.
I've had a normal MRI and LP, been for numerous blood tests, and had ENG studies which were normal.
I'm currently waiting for the results of my last MRI, adn am wondering if it is possible to go for so long with symptoms, but normal results.

just__me · 06-12-2005, 06:14 PM

I have not had sx as long, only 7 mo but MS so far is the only thing to match my what I have going on. I also have all negative tests, what can I say, I always did hate to fail a test.

lol

My symptoms include --
numbness, tingling (left sided)
weakness (left sided, arm, leg, face moving to left leg)
muscle tightness (mainly legs)
burning in legs (controlled by Neurontin)
tremors (come and go)
heavy arm (left, comes and goes)
muscle spasms
muscle twitching
cognitive issues (mainly memory)
speech issues (can't think of words, pauses between words)
2 distinct attacks (6 months apart)
symptoms greatly affected by heat

I've been to several different neurologist who have told me to look elsewhere. Last one told me either stroke or MS but not stroke and dx'x me with possible demyelinating disease. Have an appt with new neuro next month. I'm not ready to give up yet.

Hang in there and best of luck to you, Dawn

Lisa_P · 06-14-2005, 01:13 PM

The horror of MS diagnosis is that no one is ever really sure that's what it was until you're dead and the autopsy shows demyelination.

EllaJ · 06-18-2005, 03:01 PM

Wow Lisa, I did not know that. I am still in the limbo area. So the demyelination only shows visibly when they are looking at brain physically. That in itself is a scarey thought. However, I am past the scared you know what stage. That started when my rt hand went useless after half my face going numb and frozen . Thank Heavens it is now almost ok. Meanwhile I to have had all the left sided stuff , but also an intermittant throat thing. and the weird electtical pains.Now I do thank my blessings for each day being a little better ,and hope to get dx soon.
Neuro said to come back when my symptoms got worse, but I don't have MS. If I mentioned this on an earlier post pls forgive my memory has ben bad and so has my spelling.