MS or not?
Am currently on a frustrating journey of whether I have MS or not. It started with pins and needles in my feet. Thinking it was a back problem I visited an osteopath (4-5 years ago). The feeling disappeared and I thought great! However, whilst running, my calves became so hard I thought they might explode so I had to stop, as even 1 km was impossible without stopping. It hurt so much to stand in normal shoes that I would limp after attending a network event and sometimes have drop foot. Since that time, I have experienced, vertigo, vision vertical displacement (I see double sentences even with glasses) and these last two weeks, excruciating middle back spasms, although to be fair, that could be as a result of working in an environment that is not the same as my home. I have pins and needles all the time in my feet (well it's been that way for years now), which increases when I lie down (I can only lie on my stomach now) and after exercise and after standing -same for calf pain.
I have had 2 MRI's - there is one lesion on my spine and nothing visible in my brain. My electrical tests are normal. My consultant, after carrying out a myriad of other tests shrugged his shoulders and said 'it might be MS' - just like that. I am not overweight, eat healthily and have always done exercise, although this is now becoming increasingly difficult.
In anticipation of others being in the same position, I wondered if there are other likely explanations or, areas to look at if, as my consultant says, 'we have to wait for future symptoms to join the dots'. I have refused the lumbar puncture on account that it is not definitive and the consultant has agreed with that approach.
I feel frustrated because one minute I want to ignore that I might have MS and carry on as 'normal' and the next I realise I can't because my body stops me. If I have MS but remain undiagnosed, do I miss out on potential treatments. Of course, I'd rather not have it so have no wish to jump to the conclusion that I do but it is all rather frustrating. Other people can't 'see' what is wrong with me and forget how I might be suffering
Many thanks and apologies for long message!!
Michelle
Hi
. How frustrating to have all those symptoms and no answers. Many of our members have been down that same road, playing the waiting game due to a small number of lesions, and I hope they will respond here today. Has your doctor offered any treatment at all to help with your current symptoms? There are several other health conditions that mimic MS and should be ruled out before making a diagnosis. Here is an article that lists them: https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/ruling-out-other-health-conditions. You might also consider consulting with an MS specialist. The National MS Society has a tool for finding one in your area. Here is a link: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Find-Doctors-Resources. I hope this helps and that you get answers and relief soon. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member) Thank you for your reply - some of those have been ticked off but I had read about vascular issues too and have a history of these in my family so had planned going to the doctor and asking for some more tests, just to gain greater clarity if nothing else. Michelle
, I think you're wise to keep your family medical history in mind and pursue further testing, if necessary. I hope all your effort pays off and you can get a firm diagnosis (whatever it may be) in the near future!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
