MS, a virus, or anxiety???

[Mamma1972]

I've been having strange symptoms, off and on, for nearly two months.  It began with a tingly-sensation in the left side of my face.  After a trip to the hospital, they told me it might be a virus that affected a facial nerve.  A week later, I began experiencing tingling in my hands & feet.  Then, I'd start getting strange twitching in my leg, back or arm.  Now, it feels as though my tongue isn't quite "normal".

After googling my symptoms, I've convinced myself it's MS.  I've even gotten a referral to a neurologist & have an MRI booked.

All of these symptoms started following a very stressful time.  I had 4 major life-events occur in & around my family (terminal illness, job loss, marital issues).  All these things happened in the two months prior to my symptoms beginning.

My question is...  Could it be anxiety?  Could it be viral?  Or am I really dealing with MS?  I've really worked myself up & have trouble focusing on anything other than this potentially horrifying disorder.

Sorry for rambling, but I'm hoping someone can offer some advice/support.

Thanks!

[marcy_182]

I have no stress in my life that i can think of, i'm a 30 yrs old stay home mom of 2 . My symptoms started as chest pain sometimes very intense they would last less than 1 min. I almost got in a car crash with my kids in the car because of one episode that's where everything started to change, the pain was every day once or twice thats when i started to get very scared to the point that i could not care for myself or my children. My husband does not believe theres anything wrong with me i look fine, but i feel terrible.
i could not walk, just talking was exhausting i could not drive or get the kids ready for school, NOTHING> All my medical testing comes back normal .
Now i developed something more scary i have PHOBIA to many things, dumb things, eating, swimming, flying, somewhat driving, medicines, and many more.. Doctors want me to get medicated but since a cant because of my fears. i tried and it gave me more to panic than any relief .....
i want my life back... thanks for your time

[SwatiAwate]

i think its a anxity. at statring stage of anxity such kind of symtoms appears. so this is your first lavel. so i kindly advice u to deal with phsycatrist

[MominCanada]

I sent you a reply but thought that I would post something here.  It has been a very long road of recovery but I am glad to say that I am doing better and that the neuro and MRI said no MS.  I have slowly been having better days.  It has been 18 months and I have longer periods of not feeling like **** and the crappy days don't last as long as they used to.  Neuro thinks maybe a viral thing...or perhaps I was really lucky and had a very mild form of encephalitis (virus on the brain).  I can tell people who are on here to STOP surfing the net for answers and making yourself sick by diagnosing yourself with 5 diseases.  It is the worst you can do.  There is more doom and gloom on the net than success stories so quit looking.

Get some good friends and family to help you through your struggles and try to enjoy some times when you feel good.  A positive attitude is key.  

[MC24]

did u ever post your outcome to your MRI????

[suzi-q]

Best to you also!  Wishing you peace and wellness! (I am also sue-aloo...two different computers!!)

[MominCanada]

WOW, if you hadn't written that I would have sworn that I did!  I too had these similar things happen almost as you described to a "T" happen 2 months after the stress (hubby quit job and started own business, renovated our rental property in 5 days working 14 hr days, financial worries) and then after having a migraine that took me to ER for the first time I went downhill from there with all your same symptoms.  My GP thought it was a virus at first, then when I returned to her office she shrugged her shoulders and signed me up for an MRI and trip to the neurologist.  That day is almost here. In Canada, we wait for our MRI's.  I have waited 3 months for mine and am anxious for Feb. 1 and then the neuro appmt on the 6th for the results.  

The only thing that I can say is that my inital symptoms etc seem to come and go and are not as bad as they initally were.  But I am now experiencing weakness on my left side only--arm and leg feel "weak" and "arthritic" at times.  I wake up usually fine and power down and get fatigued by the end of the day.  I went to a NEW GP and she said it could be a virus too.  So I am going to ask the neuro to do another complete blood workup including Lyme disease.  That has not been done yet.  I of course am wondering about MS too.  I just have to get that MRI and will know.  

I have also been seeing a psychologist and I think it is helping with the anxiety i may be having being so nervous about the MRI and its results.  Hang in there kiddo.  I will check back on you and also let you know what I learn from my tests.  good luck!

[Mamma1972]

Yes, we could definitely be twins!  I'm in Toronto...  OHIP stinks sometimes.  I originally had an MRI scheduled for July, but my anxiety wouldn't allow me to wait!  I pressured my doctor & he told me I could call around to any & all hospitals.  After scouting all the diagnostics depts. in 10 different hospitals, I found one that's about 30 minutes away from home & was able to secure a date of February 9th.  Sometimes it takes persistence to get things done quicker.

Please let me know how things go...  You could also email me at ***@****.

Good luck on your test...it's only a few days away!

[MominCanada]

I just read your reply to me from my earlier post.  Funny, we wrote similar things without even knowing.  Please keep me up to date on how your MRI goes.  Interesting that you and I have our MRI's so close to the same date.  I will keep you up to date too.  Where in Canada are you?  I'm in Edmonton.

[Mamma1972]

Hi Sue,

Thank you for the link.  I had already checked it out as I noticed you posted it on another thread.  It has put me more at ease so that I am not constantly focusing on MS.  Thoughts can really consume you, can't they?

I'm glad that things turned out well for you (if you can consider anxiety "turning out well").  And I agree with proceeding with a total workup...best to exclude all serious disorders.

Be well!!!

[chcnme]

Hi there.  I'm interested - have your doctors said what kind of virus they think might be causing this? Are they using the word "virus"  kind of like saying to someone   "you probably just have a bug"?  This term "virus" is bothering me.  I see you are from Canada. I don't know why they would tell you this could be a "virus".  I'm not trying to scare you, and I'm not trying to say you don't have anxiety  (these symptoms could be nothing BUT anxiety) but since you are from Canada and your doctors have said "virus", I can't just sit here and say nothing or wonder if your doctors are thinking you have a "virus virus" .  Anyhow... without beating around the bush anymore, the Hepatitis C virus can cause these kinds of strange symptoms.  You might be interested in these links below (if you aren't already aware.)  I've got Hep C and have some friends from Canada (most from the BC area) who have Hep C, too, and many of us thought (before proper diagnosis)  that we had MS.  We didn't have MS - we had Hep C.  

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/1/25

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/education/spotlight/issue_60/compensation.html

[Mamma1972]

Hi there,

My first symptoms started immediately after a scare with my brother-in-law (he was diagnosed with cancer).  The symptoms didn't all come at once...one at a time...and always sporadic.  They never last longer than a couple of minutes (maximum an hour) & then they fade.

[Mamma1972]

Hi there...  With regard to the virus, I had been sick with a cough/cold that lasted for almost a month.  I was really run down by stress & this "virus" before all my symptoms started.  None of the doctors made mention of Hep C.  I did have all my bloodwork & urinalysis done...everything pretty normal (calcium & magnesium on the low side).  I also think they throw the term "virus" around too loosely.  I guess they resort to it when they can't find anything definitive.

On a positive note, over the past two days, my symptoms have really improved.

I've been prescribed Xanax for my severe anxiety (my question...did the anxiety come first???).  I've been taking it for two weeks & have noticed a considerable improvement.  Still, I'll feel more assured once I've had all the diagnostic testing.

[sue-aloo]

Yes, it can be anxiety related.  However, you are doing the right thing by getting everything checked out first by a doctor.  When I started suffering from anxiety I would have sworn I had MS too.  It all ended up being anxiety related.  I have had my mouth go all tingly on me...my feet, my hands, my face.  If you feel that you are also suffering from anxiety a good place to look for symptoms is at www.anxietycentre.com.  Click on the symptoms that is to the left on the toolbar.  Take some comfort in knowing that it can and most likely is anxiety.  This way your wait for your doctor appts and tests will be a little easier.  Keep us posted and God bless and grant you peace.

[Jenny Wren]

Did the tingling feeling happen during an attack or at anytime?  Just wondering, I'm dealing with the same scare as the poster.  Thanks!!!