symptom recognition - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

lowlife · 07-08-2007, 02:38 PM

Hi, I wanted to ask any MS sufferers whether my symptoms could be similar.
I know it's a bit of a lottery comparing symptoms but i'm really not satisfied with my healthcare at this time.

i've been diagnosed with IBD and AS (ankylosing spondylitis) for 8 years. i'm late 30's now and have changed my life dramatically due to pain and short term injury problems caused by moving and physio etc.

throughout that time i have felt that my body is highly stressed or affected by exertion. i want to differentiate that from 'new muscle' exertion, as in when you start exercising after a break and the muscles stiffen and ache. despite the fact that the used areas stiffen, the longevity and severity of the exercise has a stronger effect on me, or my immune system perhaps. something is definately going on. since i have stopped my physical life, i still feel affected by this, and it takes much less movement or light exercise to cause the symptoms, which i'll list below: many of the symptoms occur the following day or two except for muscle trembling which is fairly immediate.

stiffness, muscle trembling and spasms (not large), a sense of body stress causing slight nausea, a strange slowing in my physical actions eg arm and hand movement leaving me with a feeling of being in slow motion. also my brain becomes sluggish and i often have jaw ache and lose the alignment in my bite somehow. i also suffer occasional tongue swelling. my back is still stiff with pain even when i don't really have any particular joint inflammation.

i have a multitude of gut and arthritis problems that flair when they want, but i've always had the feeling that the above symptoms were something else, which doesn't mean to say they're not linked ofcourse.

i just wanted to check that i'm not missing something obvious.
would appreciate any help or advice thanks.

MSNik · 07-08-2007, 02:44 PM

I dont know if this is what you want to hear, or not, but I do not have any of the symtoms you describe, and I do have MS. Some, but not most of your symtoms sound neurological- however MS is a different type of disease. Keeping in mind that it is of the central nervous system, sugglishness (beyond fatigue) isnt one of the normal MS symptoms. You talk alot about stifffness, also not a Neurological or MS thing- however the muscle spasms, are.
Most MS sufferers have eye problems, tingling and burning limbs as well as extreme fatigue, to the point where they can fall asleep at the drop of a pin- most of us can only exercise moderately, or else we go into a relapse which includes not being able to move at all. Your symptoms do not sound that famialar to me- possibly someone else will disagree.

The fact that you posted here and said that you are not thrilled with your current care is not good....can you see another specialist who handles the diseases you mentioned? Second opionions, so to speak? I think, at this time, if you are that unhappy with your current healthcare, you should be searching for another doctor. Have you ever had any MS related tests? Brain or Spinal MRIs? Spinal Taps? Things which would have ruled out, or confirmed MS? And, if you did, how long ago did you have them ? They should be repeated Yearly...at least the MRIs should...the spinal, once it is conclusive, isnt usually repeated unless necessary.
Hope you feel better soon
And good luck.
Nikki

lowlife · 07-09-2007, 04:02 AM

no that's great thanks. i went to college with a couple of MS sufferers so i knew of some of the symptoms you mentioned.

i'll post it on some other forums and see if i have any joy.
thanks again.