curious symptoms over thirty years

[princepessa]

Hashimoto's disease is the only diagnosis I have after 30 years of curious symptoms.  They started in my 30's with bouts of vertigo, optical neuritis and numbness.  All tests for MS came back negative and I didn't have any symptoms of thyroid disease at that time.  My neurological symptoms continue to come and go, and at times they are more disturbing than others. I have permanent numb spots on each of my thighs.  About 8 years ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was put on synthroid.  My thyroid continued to gradually decline and my  dosages were increased as needed.  Meanwhile, I have had numbness and tingling, ear noise, ringing, vertigo, balance issues, pain, twitching muscles, sensitivity to light over the years.  Mostly, it is not interfered with my daily life as a elementary school teacher.  Over the years doctor's have blamed it on stress and anxiety but I don't want to take unnecessary drugs.  Last april, I had a bout of vertigo that was severe and lasted 4 days.  That event put me in a deep depression last summer as I had convinced myself that it was in fact MS and that it was progressing.  I made an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida and saw an MS specialist there.  She ran bloodwork for B12, Vit. D which were within the normal range but on the low side.  I am supplementing now.  The MRI's she ordered were negative for any clinical evidence of MS.  I went back to my local neurologist who tested me for hashimoto's and that came out positive.  Now I am in the care of an endocrinologist and in the last few months have had biopsies of nodules on my thryoid, all negative so far.  My neurologist said possible "benign MS" but there is no clinical evidence to support any of my curious symptoms. Mostly, I feel that the doctor's think I am crazy.  I am not disabled by the symptoms but they are unnerving. Any ideas?

[Irene5353]

Welcome to this community.  I hope that you find a resolution to the sx you are having or at least a name one day.  In the meantime, I would keep a detailed log of all your sx.  If the doc's are suggesting true mental illness ask them how that is ruled out as a contributing factor and to refer you to someone.  If they are just labeling you to label you that is not medicine - it is cruel.  Good luck to you and keep taking those B vitamins they are water soluable and do not hurt.  The D is processed and can accumulated in the liver as does A so consult a nutritionist too.  How is your blood sugar.  Many autoimmune diseases are very tricky.  My suspicion is that they are tricky because they effect women more than men and very little research was done on them until relatively recently.  Just know that you are supported here.  I recently came here and have found a lot of very good information.  All the best to you.

[jed9999]

You may be told all the tests for MS have come back negative, and maybe the big ones have so far, but your symptoms have sure been positive and very much like some of mine over the past 36 years. Don't for one minute let anyone convince you you're crazy! Most people who end up with a MS diagnosis have weird symptoms many years prior to the diagnosis. You know what you have experienced in your own body; don't let anyone else tell you differently! I think you've just been very fortunate to have a slight course.

Now, it is a completly different subject whether you want to actively pursue getting a diagnosis. It sounds like your life works pretty well for you, but if SSDI is a consideration or there is a reason besides pride and indignation, then I suppose periodic retesting is what is needed. The MRI's are getting more and more sensitive all the time.

Of course your multiple symptoms are unnerving. This is a wonderful and supportive community online and it may well be enough just to have this place to discuss your challenges and commiserate with others who understand. I sure bet nobody allows you to call yourself crazy, however! I think that's demeaning. I hope to see you often. Jane

[nuggetone]

I have been wondering myself if I have this.  I have had a yr ago lower lumber discectomy L-5 S-1 and now have 2 bulging discs.  I have graves disease so they say but my thyroid levels r fine now and they took me off meds.  I am an anemic also.  I take soma and valium after work to deal with the muscle pain.  All other pain meds make me sick so these are the only 2 things I can take.  Sometimes my calves of my legs get so tight they feel like they r going to burst.  I have to stop and wait for the pain to go away before cont. to walk.  I take potassium cause it is always low and am on Cymbalta that helps with the pain in the spine which some people dont even know this med does this.  The Dr. cont. 2 take my blood and everything is low.  I even have been put on prenatal vitamins to try and build things up.  Dr said if things dont get better I will have to have blood transfusion.  I wake up several times at night crying with bk hurting and hip.  I have to sit up for at least 30 min before I can lay down again.  I drop things alot.  I seem to have brain fogs if uu know what I mean.  I have had 2 Mri's but they were only looking at the bk problems.  Do they have to do a specific test for MS?  Or can they tell this by the MRI'S I have had???My toes even cramp up at times.  Then I will have a good few days and here I go again.  Any ideas???? I go bk to neurosurgeon 4/22.  I also have Degenerative Disc Disease.  I also fell like my eye sight has changed.  Any advice would be helpful.  Just worried.  By the way I am 45.