Hypochondriasis or MS?

My problems began at 30, with beefy, raw patches on my tongue, then lump in my armpit that turned out to be benign. A week later, it seemed as if my eyesight instantly became more blurred than usual, and I acquired some floaters (I am nearsighted). Recent visits to both an optometrist and an opthalmologist determined that my eyesight is "normal" (for nearsightedness at my age, 32) with no inflammation.

Then my back began to stiffen, and my left leg began to hurt, with numbness at the knee. A recurrence of squeezing in my chest turned out to be Asthma (diagnosed by my physician, who has asthma, and gave me extensive tests before reaching the diagnosis). Although walking and stretching seem to have helped a bit, I'm now very conscious of my gait. I'm currently suffering from sinus pressure, and I now get a facial paresthesia that comes and goes and is very troubling.

NOW I have a slight tremor in my hands and weakness in my arms (I have been suffering from on-off numbness in my right arm, and stiffness in my fingers, though I attributed these to computer work) - it's very apparent when I'm paying attention to it - which is all the time now. One day I nearly knocked over a bottle of water when I was grabbing for something else, and now I'm obsessed with fine-tuning every movement.

I've been to a million doctors, researched every condition, had four blood tests (all normal, slightly elevated rheumatoid factor), a CT Scan, analysis of my urine, a pelvic and endovaginal ultrasound (small ovarian cysts and two fibroids). Every doctor has felt my abdomen and lymph nodes (I get these painful lipomas under my armpits and on my abdomen, but no one can figure out the cause). Please give me some guidance - MRI/diagnostic tests for MS, etc., or a good psychologist and some cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm so fatigued and burned out. I can remember the confident person I used to be. I'm a biracial female (Black, Mexican), non-smoker. Thanks.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You sound like you are not only at your wits end, but also caught in a tough cycle. What I mean by that is once you start paying close attention to your body, and amplify everything with fear, you find all sorts of symptoms. I would suggest that in order to get your perspective and confidence back you spend some time talking to a therapist about the anxieties in your life. I think that will help.

[gemini1975]

I should mention that I got the ultrasounds due to my period not showing up for two months, and then showing up and lasting three weeks. Really, this is taking over my life. My hair comes out in strands. I'd love to be strong enough to finish editing my novel, go on dates with my boyfriend again, and meet my best friend for coffee. Haven't seen her in ages. Any guidance from a physician, as well as some "been there" advice from others would be greatly appreciated.

[Lola2]

Oh wow your symptoms sound like ones I have at different times. I have had the tremors (cameout of nowhere and lasted about 2 months with no cause found), I get forgetful, nauseated, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, muscles just have this fatigue feeling after doing small activities, heart palps, blurred vision on and off, dizzyness through the day, pressure in my diaphragm, wheezing...

This week i have had two EKG's, an echocardiogram, cardiac enzyme test, chest X ray, shortness of breath panel and bloodwork. So far everything's normal.

I am under a GREAT DEAL of stress at home, work has cut my hours so I am worried about money, I can't work outide the home as I don't have a car, my sister and her 4 kids (2 babies) moved in with me 3 weeks ago, I broke up with my fiance (we are always fighting) 2 weeks ago...

It's like the world is crashing in.

[Lola2]

Oh wow your symptoms sound like ones I have at different times. I have had the tremors (cameout of nowhere and lasted about 2 months with no cause found), I get forgetful, nauseated, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, muscles just have this fatigue feeling after doing small activities, heart palps, blurred vision on and off, dizzyness through the day, pressure in my diaphragm, wheezing (i have acid reflux and IBS), sore stomach every morning, loss of appetite, diarrhea, little tremors on and off, insomnia.

This week i have had two EKG's, an echocardiogram, cardiac enzyme test, chest X ray, shortness of breath panel and bloodwork. So far everything's normal.

I am under a GREAT DEAL of stress at home, work has cut my hours so I am worried about money, I can't work outide the home as I don't have a car, my sister and her 4 kids (2 babies) moved in with me 3 weeks ago, I broke up with my fiance (we are always fighting) 2 weeks ago...

It's like the world is crashing in.

[gemini1975]

Thank you SO much! I just started taking Low-Ogestrel to balance out my hormones, and I think it's adding to the drama, though I'm sure I will be better for the birth control the more I stick with it. I had to stay home from work tonight because I had a major setback - my face, knee and right hand went numb this afternoon, and spent the rest of the day terrified instead of getting the sleep I need for my job (I love what I do, and I hate having to stay home for this).

I tried to talk myself down from how I was feeling, and I was at home alone and just feeling SO scared. My beautiful prince of a boyfriend came home, and I had a total meltdown about how I was feeling. He told me he loves me, and he knows I'm not feeling well, but he doesn't think I need a Neurologist - he thinks I need to stop making doctor's appointments and get it together. And I think he may be right. Doctor, thank you for taking the time to help me - I have found a psychologist and will be booking an appointment for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ASAP. Lola, bless you for sharing your experience with me. You were a friend (though I don't know you) when I needed one.

[Lola2]

Hey Gemini if you want to email me or something you can at ***@**** :) Sounds like we both need a lot of support right now! I'm off to my gastroenterologist today for my stomach issues:(