rhyanen

I was hoping someone might be able to steer me in the right direction here.
I am a 30 year old female and have been having excruciating pain in my mid-back this past week. I usually have it to a certain degree anyway, but this past week, it has intensified to be nearly unbearable. On the left side, in the center of my back, it hurts to just barely touch it, and has some redness and swelling. I didn't do anything to injure myself.
The past week, I also had a sudden onset of severe fatigue that left me bedridden for a few days. My muscles felt very weak, especially in my arms and legs, and I had some pins and needles sensations in my feet which lasted a few hours, on and off. Also slight patchy numbness in my hands, on and off.

Then after a few days, the weakness turned into muscle aches, and that was when my back started really hurting. Throughout this, I have felt dizzy and feeling like my chest is being squeezed a little. It can make it hard to take a deep breath. I've also had some noticable personality changes, where I tend to snap and get very irritable easily. Sometimes for brief moments, I forget what I am doing or where I am going.

At first, I chalked it up to a virus or the flu. But I had no evidence of infections, cold, sinus problems, sore throat, etc.

Last year I was having some neuro problems that were never identified but neuro suspected MS, and now I am wondering if this incidence has anything to do with it, or if it is a whole different problem, maybe herniation? If anyone has had any similar experiences, or could help me out, I'd love to hear from you. I don't know what to do, and I don't feel like seeing my doctor yet. thanks.
Rhyanen




[This message has been edited by rhyanen (edited 07-12-2002).]