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New to MS: Current 15 year pro with autoimmune

Hi! I'm Ash. I'm familiar with autoimmune diseases as I have several, most notably Crohn's. But over the last 2 years, I've been developing new symptoms that are getting worse over time. I did the gambit of testing with docs last year, and we still do not have a diagnosis but the symptoms are gradually getting worse (typical autoimmune progression). All tests came back negative, except for testing that supporting more autoimmune findings.


I think I am developing MS, RRMS to be exact. I have months without these symptoms, and then weeks to months of these symptoms all at once. I am wondering if others have a similar experience.


I have numbness and tingling primarily in my arms, hands, and fingers. Mostly at night. The docs say I sleep weird ( I sleep the same I always have), or that I have carpal tunnel (my friends should have that before me based on their activities).


I see dark spots in my eyes now--my eyes are fine other than this.


I think I have cognitive issues--they assure me this is just age even though I am only 29.


This past week exhaustion hit me three different times. My whole body went physically weak, shaky, and nauseous without much effort or exercise.


I also usually have varying degrees of neck pain that are debilitating to a dull roar for days or weeks.


Hoping this community might be a helpful place to explore like experiences and get some perspective. Thanks in advance for support.

  1. Hi . Welcome to the community! You are far from alone in your experiences. Many people here have had a long road to diagnosis. If your symptoms are due to MS, it is possible that you have lesions that are too small at this point to see on an MRI. Here is an article about the diagnostic process for MS. https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis. I thought I would share it with you so you can see whether you doctor actually did a full evaluation. There are also several health conditions that share symptoms with MS and should be ruled out. Here is an article that discusses some of them: https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/ruling-out-other-health-conditions. I hope this helps. You will find lots of support in this community, regardless of whether you have a diagnosis. Feel free to message me if there is anything I can help you with as you become familiar with the community. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member)

    1. Thank you for the kind words. We have definitely ruled out some of the above conditions, but maybe not other autoimmune or degenerative ones. They keep telling me it is a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel. They also suggest I could see a spine doctor now.

      1. Hi @Adriftnebula. I am glad they are not simply giving up on finding a diagnosis. Has your doctor ever done an MRI of your spine? Hugs! - Lori (Team Member)

    2. I just did my second spine MRI. We will be able to compare the results now. Hoping to see what those look like soon. IN the meantime symptoms seem to be intensifying with no explaination.

      1. I hope you get some answers, @Adriftnebula. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)

      2. I hope you get some answers, @Adriftnebula. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)

    3. I'm starting to, today. It looks like it is not MS so that is good. But my spine has all kinds of issues that I do not understand yet.

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