I am very paranoid - MS?? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

hambo_12 · 01-03-2007, 06:17 PM

Well lately I have become very paranoid about my health.

Male, 22, slightly overweight.

I have nearly diagnosed myself with every bloody disease I read about!
But lately I have been having the following symptoms, which has led my stupid mind to MS. I have rated the pains / discomforts out of ten in regards to severity:

Tightness in inner thighs - 1/10
More frequent urination / bowel movements
GERD related symptoms
Sore neck on one side - 4/10
fatigue / dizziness / faintness - 7/10
Weakness in arms and legs - 5/10
chest pain - 3/10
lower back pain and hip pain - 5/10
slight itchiness - 2/10
Floaters in vision (I have had floaters for around 4 years, but didnt put it down to much until I noticed a few more coming up, now there are a lot when I look at the sky).

My doc has diagnosed me with GERD previously, but I barely feel like I have it...

Do all of these syptoms point to MS or something else?

Please help me, I am really going out of my mind here.

SRSuper · 01-03-2007, 08:30 PM

hambo-
sounds like you have a case of the med student syndrome...
this happens to a lot of first and second year med students who have any sort of health issue, from the sniffles to an old sports injury.
you read something and suddenly, oh my god, youre presenting symptoms and you might have one of everything!
not to say these symptoms arent real, but our minds are extraordinarily strong and some are more impressionable than others.
best bet- take 2-3 months and STOP READING MEDICAL LITERATURE. and start getting involved in a hobby that promotes or suggests wellness (such as a sport, working out, or maybe focus on an intimate relationship....but im not advocating any sort of crazy behavior here..)
see what happens.

cappy7 · 01-04-2007, 10:06 AM

Hambo, have you been tested for Lyme Disease. I have it and the symptoms you have point in that direction. You should get tested if you haven't already. What did you doctor say?

hambo_12 · 01-04-2007, 11:56 AM

Cappy7 - No, I havent been tested for Lyme disease, but I will ask my doc about it. I do live in Australia, does anyone know the prevalence of lyme disease over here? I also work in a beef abattoir, would this increase my risk?

Doc sent me for lumbar sacral spine xray for lower back and leg pain. Awaiting results.

SRSuper - I really do think that I have a problem, and need to stop reading up on stuff that I have really no idea about. Im going to take your advice and try to do things for a few months to try and get my mind off thinking I always have something wrong with myself. I suppose if there really is something wrong (lets hope not) it will still show itself later on also.

MSNik · 01-04-2007, 12:37 PM

Gotta agree with SRSUper on this one..stop reading, stop self diagnosing, and no, your symtoms do not sound like MS. You should see a doctor, have an MRI and a LP and then talk to your doctor about the other symtoms...make sure the doctor is a nuerologist!!
Reading the internet is a sure fire way to freak youself out! Do yourself a favor and dont read anymore literature or whatever you are reading....see a doctor! Your symtoms could very well be Lyme, but really, they dont even sound like that overall...
see a neurologist..good luck.