Please help asap - very worried.

03-04-2014, 05:22 AM

Hi everyone,

I posted this message on another message board and got no responses over 4 days, so Ill try here

Im a 32 year old female who has two kids, age 1 and 2. I work full time and yes, life is stressful, but I wouldnt say Im going through a time of EXTREME stress (like many could explain these unusual symptoms for).
About 6 months ago, in late August, I started feeling like I had sore muscles in my left leg and shoulder. I carry my children a lot on that side so I thought it may be related to that. I went to a few chirpopractors who didnt help, got a shoulder xray and had full blood work done after going through it a few months. Some days it would hurt very badly, others hardly at all. Many mornings I woke up with a stiff neck too....

I started getting a little tingling in my finers on the right side (the opposite side of the pain) and it hasnt really completely gone away. My middle finger is the one that tingles the most, but nothing extreme.

I kind of attributed it to carrying the kids, until about 4 weeks ago.....When I was relaxing at the mall with my family one day, I started to feel a warm sensation on a spot on my back. It came and went about 10 times a day for only a few days and then it was gone. Didnt think anything of it.

Just about 2 weeks ago, twitching started. First in my eye, then all over my body. All day, all night, 24 hours a day. Its become so bad that its hard to sleep not only from the twitching, but anxiety from it!

So of course not only do I believe I have MS, but there is a strong fear of ALS from the twitching. That is my biggest symptoms and it is all I can think about because it goes on all day, every day. I dont feel I have weakness because I am still able to do 4 miles a day on the treadmill just fine. But of course once it gets in your head you pay attention to every step you take and every time you fumble with something.

As far as diet and medication, I drink a cup of coffee in the morning, and maybe a diet pop or two during the day. I dont drink a lot of water but have been trying to do better since this has started. Less caffeine and more water so far hasnt seemed to help... I was also on 50mg of trazadone at night for insomnia, but cant really seem to blame that because I have been on the same dosage for at least 3 years..

I saw a doctor yesterday and shes sending me to a neurologist, but I would like to hear what anyone else has to say?

Thank you so much, I wish I could take a xanax or something to help with the anxiety!!

03-04-2014, 10:15 AM

Jenny8117,

Welcome.

Sometimes we over or underestimate concerns in our life due to our subjective nature. For a few, objective views can help balance things. While you say you do not have extreme stress, it is not always a one time extreme situation, rather it can be a slow build until our tolerance limit is reached and stress/anxiety start to crumble our immune system.

MS symptoms do not come and go but rather stick with us for 24 hours or longer. This is a point at which objective data is helpful. Sometimes what we perceive as "come and go" is merely our tolerance levels fluctuating. When I had severe nerve pain, it was written all over my face and my blood pressure was high as a result too.

While ALS or MS may come to mind based upon or fears or the ever popular "Dr. Internet", there are over 400 diseases/causes which can mimic MS. Stress/anxiety can mimic MS as well as vitamin D deficiency, or other concerns. Since there is no single specific test for MS, if MS is a possibility, you should see an MS Specialist (a neurologist whose specialty is MS).

As you shared a difficulty with insomnia, studies have shown that lack of sleep is more harmful to women than to men.

IF you do have MS, you should avoid seeing a chiropractor as treatments can worsen symptoms.

At this point, take some rest and lay aside your fears. Many if not most of the known MS mimicries are treatable. You will need to eliminate many possibilities, but you should find an answer soon. While awaiting a consult with a neurologist, your GP can run blood tests and have you tested for Lyme Disease (make sure it is a specific test and performed by a qualified lab), vitamin D deficiency, as well as other vitamin/nutritional deficiencies. The more you can eliminate now, the closer you are to an answer. Your blood tests may also determine an answer long before you see an neurologist.

03-04-2014, 10:36 AM

Thank you MSJayhawk

I'm glad I got a response! I agree that life is busy and stressful right now. Just last night, my parents came over to make a 3rd attempt at watching the Oscars with me, and with a 1 and 2 year old running around, I cant sit still for a minute to watch a show. I miss my days of college and watching the Bachelor on Monday nights

Problem is Im so used to it by now that I don't stop to think about sitting down to eat, forget watching a show uninterrupted.

I was tested for all vitamin defiencies and came out ok. I wish it had been that simple, but I will continue to take those supplements anyway if they may have just been high on the day I took the test. haha.

Ill check back after my neuro appointment. I have been searching all over the internet to try to get muscle and reflex tests and I have been passing them, but you know how those things go...You can really freak yourself out, which I am good at.

Thank you again!

03-04-2014, 10:40 AM

Jenny8117,

I hope you can get some answers soon. I look forward to your update.

Please help asap - very worried.

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