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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Anxiety over MS
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Anxiety over MS
by zox, Aug 24, 2004 12:00AM
I am extremely anxious that I might have MS. My symptoms have been tingling on and off, some numbness in my right cheek, a tingling sensation down my spine (once), shooting pain down my arms, nausea, muscle tics, extremely sore low back pain, stinging sensation in my eyes and then today I have had some flashing light in my peripheral vision. I have been for an MRI of my brain and it was normal. My exam from the neurologist was normal. I am waiting for an MRI of my spine but that will not happen until April. I am on 50 mg of Zoloft a day and have been for one month. Could Zoloft actually cause this flashing light in my peripheral vision...and after a month of taking it? I have also started to sweat quite a bit at night..could this be suddenly from the medication? I am so extremely anxious and afraid that I am sure it is worse then even having a diagnosis of MS. My question is do you think that this could be MS and how important is a brain MRI in determining MS?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Aug 24, 2004 12:00AM
, Aug 24, 2004 12:00AM
What you describe could be a combination of underlying anxiety and a medication side effect. Ask your doctor about taking you off Zoloft for a while to find out. Does not sound like MS but only a qualified neurologist with all the lab results can give you a real answer.
It is really horrible. I constantly look for information. Can anyone confirm that the info at http:www.Pharmacydrugshop.com is correct? They are supposed to know places that sell RX meds without prescription, is this legal?
I suffer from Migraines with and without pain. I get the flashing lights (aura) more than I do the actual headache which is great.
I also happen to have MS. I was DX with Migraines well before I was DX with MS. The lesions that appear on the MRI when you have MS are located in an area specific usually to MS. Keep up with the MRI's if your insurance allows. Maybe one every year or two just to make sure. An early DX of MS makes all the difference in the world to your overall health. I have MS but you would never know it. I immediately started copaxone therapy and have never had an MS attack, no lesions no activity and my life is very good. Actually much better now than before.
Good luck
Thanks for your reply to my post. Can I ask you how you know you have MS if you have never had an attack or do not have any lesions? Perhaps you mean you have not had an attack or new lesions since taking the medication for MS. What were your first symptoms of MS? Why is your life even better now? You don't have to answer all of these questions but I am curious about your message. I think that I may know what you mean about your life being better now. Even though this past summer has been hell, I am stronger for it. I feel like I will get through this tough time and anxiety and WIN...eventually. If I do end up having MS, at least I will feel some relief because it is the "not knowing" that causes so much stress. Thanks for your message.
Jodene