What were your initial symptoms - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

k2626 · 09-02-2008, 02:23 PM

Hi guys. What were your initital symptoms of MS? Also, did it all come on at once or gradually.

I am going to be getting an MRI to test for MS and other potential causes for my symptoms...

Nenu · 09-02-2008, 03:21 PM

You know, I initially thought my first symptom was vertigo (true to MS linked symptom that is). Now in hindsight, I'm not entirely sure.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist figured I'd had MS for at least 5 years (based on my MRI films and other findings).

The vertigo only occurred last summer, and I was diagnosed March 2008. I had gone off work due to chronic facial pain (left side) and walking up in what I described at the time as "convulsions".

I now actually believe my first 'symptom' was something that hit me out of the blue that was similar to what I've seen Trigeminal Neuralgia described as. Left side of my head, intense stabbing shooting pain that brought me to my knees. It was the worst pain I had felt in my head, period, until my spinal headache after my lumbar puncture during my MS diagnosis.

That head pain would place me around the exact time that my neurologist suspects that I started my disease course. I had the same type of pain attack 4-5 times over a couple months a few years ago, and then mysteriously those pains disappeared. I have not had a similar attack of stabbing pain since, but I do deal with head pains quite a lot.

The more "MS like" symptoms, such as vertigo/L'Hermittes/girdle banding/numbness and pins & needles came within the last year.

k2626 · 09-02-2008, 03:33 PM

Hmm, I have had "electrical type" head pains for years. Like quick short stabs to my head that would stop me in my tracks. I had an MRI for these two years ago but it came back okay. My neuro said they were ice pick headaches....

april1848 · 09-02-2008, 05:10 PM

I had L'hermittes Syndrome, which is an electrical feeling; mine went from my neck to my toes, anytime I moved my neck. It started all of a sudden, while I was sitting in my office! I also had a very severe stabbing pain in one small area of my back. I really thought I had a pinched nerve.

Prior to this, years ago, I was sent to the ER by my boss once because my entire left arm went numb, starting with the fingers and ending at my shoulder. It went away that night. I've had tremors, especially in my hands, since my teens. I've had very bad sensitivity to heat since my late teens. It all makes sense in hindsight!

MSNik · 09-02-2008, 06:23 PM

woke up one day with a numb, tingling left hand and fingers...thought I had slept on it wrong...after 3 days, went to dr to see if it could be carpal tunnel, when that was ruled out, a CT scan was ordered to look for a pinched nerve....that led to a very good radiologist who knew something wasnt right- called in a Neuro, who led me to a MRI...50+ lesions later- MS was probable. A spinal tap and history later, and MS was for sure..
Looking back, I had had an entire year of tripping, heat sensitivity getting out of the shower and in the sun- dizzness, balance issues, lots of MS related symtoms which I had just ignored.....