Aa
Do I habve MS or am I b12 deficient
I'm a 34yr old healthy woman( or at least I thought I was until 2008). For the past two years I have been experiencing some very strange symptoms. It all started in Sep 2008, I started to have lots of abdominal pain, bloating, nausea for about a week, the symptpms then changed to numness and tingling accompanyied with pain. I was laying in bed, and my body just started to feel really strange, I can't even describe the feeling the best way to put is, it felt like electrical pulses were running up and down my legs. So at this point I'm really freaked out, then maybe two nights later, I'm laying in the bed and legs just start to shake uncontrollabely (needless to say now my husband was freaked out cuz he actually saw it happening), as my legs are shaking, I'm having severe lower back pain. Went to PCP Dr. who ran my blood work said everything was normal and said it was stress. My symptoms eventually subsided after about two weeks, also during this time I had missed my menstrual for the month of Sep.
Now jump to Oct 2009, I start feeling numbness and tingling sensations on different parts of my body, legs (first), arms, hips, just anywhere they didnt last long in duration but were frequent. I tried to shrug this off, In Nov of 09, I noticed that my forefinfer on my left hand had a numb patch on it, not the whole entire finger just the section from the hand to knuckle, in addition I noticed that sometimes my vision would get blurry, I wear contacts so of course I thought my contact was just dirty. This prompted me to go back to dr, she drew some blood, and told me to see go to an opthalmologist as well as a nuerologist. She stated that I seemed like a likely suspect for MS. My eyes were fine (pressure was a little high in the eyes), but no signs of problems.
Now jump to Feb 2010, my symptoms started out again with stomach pain, but the stomach pain came along with intense lower back pain, alot of tingling and numbness, and I just felt really tired. But through all of this I had been telling my husband I just feel really tired, Like I can wake up in the morning and just yawn all day long liek I never got any rest.
So my question is does this sound like MS symptoms? I've also been researching B12 deficiency, and thought to myself that I might be deficient. But I would think that if I were deficienct it woudl show up in my CBC results. Can anyone help me. I'm scheduled for another neuro appt March 15th.
I forgot to mention that the first time symptoms presented I did receive an brain, and lumbar spine MRI, and nothing showed up. I also had a pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds. What is going on with me? As I sit here typing I'm experiencing the tingling sensations in my arms and legs. Any suggestion from anyone would be great.
Here is just a list of some of my symptoms:
numbness/tingling
intense lower back pain
upper abdominal pain
blurry vision
ringing in my ears ( at least once a week)
migraines (which I never used to get)
feeling of electrical pulses running up and down my legs
uncontrollable leg tremors (maybe lasted 10-15 minutes)
my hands and feet are always cold ( I get cold very easily)
just general pain shooting thru my body at random
I probbaly forgot soem but I don't have my notebook right in front of me that I use to keep track of symptoms and when they occured.
Thanks
So Frustrated
Now jump to Oct 2009, I start feeling numbness and tingling sensations on different parts of my body, legs (first), arms, hips, just anywhere they didnt last long in duration but were frequent. I tried to shrug this off, In Nov of 09, I noticed that my forefinfer on my left hand had a numb patch on it, not the whole entire finger just the section from the hand to knuckle, in addition I noticed that sometimes my vision would get blurry, I wear contacts so of course I thought my contact was just dirty. This prompted me to go back to dr, she drew some blood, and told me to see go to an opthalmologist as well as a nuerologist. She stated that I seemed like a likely suspect for MS. My eyes were fine (pressure was a little high in the eyes), but no signs of problems.
Now jump to Feb 2010, my symptoms started out again with stomach pain, but the stomach pain came along with intense lower back pain, alot of tingling and numbness, and I just felt really tired. But through all of this I had been telling my husband I just feel really tired, Like I can wake up in the morning and just yawn all day long liek I never got any rest.
So my question is does this sound like MS symptoms? I've also been researching B12 deficiency, and thought to myself that I might be deficient. But I would think that if I were deficienct it woudl show up in my CBC results. Can anyone help me. I'm scheduled for another neuro appt March 15th.
I forgot to mention that the first time symptoms presented I did receive an brain, and lumbar spine MRI, and nothing showed up. I also had a pelvic and abdominal ultrasounds. What is going on with me? As I sit here typing I'm experiencing the tingling sensations in my arms and legs. Any suggestion from anyone would be great.
Here is just a list of some of my symptoms:
numbness/tingling
intense lower back pain
upper abdominal pain
blurry vision
ringing in my ears ( at least once a week)
migraines (which I never used to get)
feeling of electrical pulses running up and down my legs
uncontrollable leg tremors (maybe lasted 10-15 minutes)
my hands and feet are always cold ( I get cold very easily)
just general pain shooting thru my body at random
I probbaly forgot soem but I don't have my notebook right in front of me that I use to keep track of symptoms and when they occured.
Thanks
So Frustrated
lol oh geeze they gave you the stress and anxiety pawn. at least they are going to continue testing and give you an mri. the mri will show them if you have lesions consistant with MS. they'll probably check your vitamin d when/if they find any lesions.
the face pain i personally have not experienced but a lot of people with MS do.
i'm doing ok. a few unforunate things are going on just recently. kinda got my mind in the gutter. but nothing health related as long as i keep my anxiety down, i'm sure it'll all be ok as time goes by.
thanks for keeping me/us updated...
make sure you let us know about the blood work and MRI results!
the face pain i personally have not experienced but a lot of people with MS do.
i'm doing ok. a few unforunate things are going on just recently. kinda got my mind in the gutter. but nothing health related as long as i keep my anxiety down, i'm sure it'll all be ok as time goes by.
thanks for keeping me/us updated...
make sure you let us know about the blood work and MRI results!
I have not heard anything from my bloodwork that I just received on Friday. Let me back-up for a minute.....when I went to the neuro on 3/15, she said it sounds like it could be some type of auto-immune disease or the big one wait fot it....STRESS/ANXIETY.lol. Anyway she did those routine neuro exams( you know touch your nose close your eyes,etc), but she did order a complete work-up on my blood, the test sheet had the following test checked off, ANA, TSH, T3 and T4 (I think), sed rate (ESR), lyme, glucose, B12 and folate. I know thats not all of them,cuz there were like 11-12 tests checked off. And she also wants me to get a MRI of the neck.
So I had the blood drawn this passed Friday, and I haven't recieved a call yet, however I was at a quest diagnostic site and they said the blood is shipped out to horsham, Pa and that they didn't do the testing on site, so there might be delay,I'm not sure.....Oh and I have a new symtpom, last night out od nowhere my face started hurting, like just pain in my face...Whats that all about?????
And how are you doing? :-)
So I had the blood drawn this passed Friday, and I haven't recieved a call yet, however I was at a quest diagnostic site and they said the blood is shipped out to horsham, Pa and that they didn't do the testing on site, so there might be delay,I'm not sure.....Oh and I have a new symtpom, last night out od nowhere my face started hurting, like just pain in my face...Whats that all about?????
And how are you doing? :-)
ok I read the site you provided as well as a site my boyfriend read to me. I'm all edumacated now.. ;-)
thanks
You can google Vitamin D and D3 to get a load of information
Vitamin D can be found in 2 forms. Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus. You would include it through fortified foods such as juices, milk or cereals. However, vitamin D3 is formed when the body synthesizes sunlight on its surface. It mainly occurs through the exposure of the skin to UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained by consuming animal products.
It is also interesting to note that since it is produced in the body, vitamin D is actually considered a hormone and not really a vitamin! Vitamin D is very important as it regulates the production of phosphorous and calcium in the body.
The Vitamin D that you purchased so willingly over the counter in the form of medication can actually be very harmful without supervision. You see, one of the forms of vitamin D, i.e. vitamin D2 is broken down by the body into different substances. Some of these substances can be very harmful for the body. Vitamin D3 is broken down by the body into a substance called calcitrol, which actually has very important cancer fighting properties.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-vitamin-d-and-vitamin-d3/
Read more: Difference Between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3 | Difference Between http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-vitamin-d-and-vitamin-d3/#ixzz0iHEQxY5X
Vitamin D can be found in 2 forms. Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus. You would include it through fortified foods such as juices, milk or cereals. However, vitamin D3 is formed when the body synthesizes sunlight on its surface. It mainly occurs through the exposure of the skin to UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained by consuming animal products.
It is also interesting to note that since it is produced in the body, vitamin D is actually considered a hormone and not really a vitamin! Vitamin D is very important as it regulates the production of phosphorous and calcium in the body.
The Vitamin D that you purchased so willingly over the counter in the form of medication can actually be very harmful without supervision. You see, one of the forms of vitamin D, i.e. vitamin D2 is broken down by the body into different substances. Some of these substances can be very harmful for the body. Vitamin D3 is broken down by the body into a substance called calcitrol, which actually has very important cancer fighting properties.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-vitamin-d-and-vitamin-d3/
Read more: Difference Between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3 | Difference Between http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-vitamin-d-and-vitamin-d3/#ixzz0iHEQxY5X
i don't know about vitamins...what is the 3 in D3? What is the 12 in B12?
They told me my b12 was good but deficient in D so they got me on 50,000 units of D a week. they didn't say anything about D3. i didn't even know there was a D3
They told me my b12 was good but deficient in D so they got me on 50,000 units of D a week. they didn't say anything about D3. i didn't even know there was a D3
I have both MS and low B12 and Low Vitamin D.....both are more common in people
with MS. I give myself weekly B12 injections and take daily 2000 iu of Vitamin D3.
Here is a link to an article: http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/nutritional_influences.html
with MS. I give myself weekly B12 injections and take daily 2000 iu of Vitamin D3.
Here is a link to an article: http://www.thenutritionreporter.com/nutritional_influences.html
lol it's all good! :-)
Yeah do keep us updated but you wont get results from the tests today. Maybe they'll call tonight though! I've had that happen. Leave the doctor's office and go on with my day and they called that evening with information on my blood work.
Lyme disease has a lot of these symptoms. It's that disease you get by getting bit by a tick. They will probably check that. Make sure you ask if they will.
I so hope some answers come your way soon!
hugs to ya
Yeah do keep us updated but you wont get results from the tests today. Maybe they'll call tonight though! I've had that happen. Leave the doctor's office and go on with my day and they called that evening with information on my blood work.
Lyme disease has a lot of these symptoms. It's that disease you get by getting bit by a tick. They will probably check that. Make sure you ask if they will.
I so hope some answers come your way soon!
hugs to ya
I just came in to work and saw all of your posts Mybe, Wendella247, and twopack. It feels so good to know that I'm not alone in this. I just wanted to say "THANK YOU" to all of you for your words of encouragement. It's very hard to explain to my husband how I'm feeling because alot of my symptoms you just cant see with your own eye. You know, you cant see numbness, you cant see blurred vision, etc. Over the weekend, I was thinking to myself (like Wendella24), oh just let this be that I'm B12 deficient, so I keep trying to tell myself thats all it is, and that's all I have to hold unto until blood work results come back. My neuro appt is at 1pm, so I will post later on this evening, although I don't think there will be much to report, depending on what tests I'm sent for. Hopefully blood work results wont take that long and I'll know by the end of the week if I'm B12 or vitamin D deficient. To all of you, Have a great day :-)
To Mybe....Sorry about your food getting cold, but I do appreciate all of your words of encouragment and advice.
To Mybe....Sorry about your food getting cold, but I do appreciate all of your words of encouragment and advice.
lol oh my i know !
My rib cage prevented me from rolling at night in bed. I would just have to lay there in the same position all night. And then have my man push my back to help me sit up.
Reaching in the dark room trying to find the light switch, not being able to feel, so you just hope that your hands hits the switch somehow, sometime.
Shampooing my hair. I remember in the beginning me begging for my man to come in and help me wash my hair because I could not feel if there was enough shampoo on my hair. He was like, "Are you serious?!" I was like, "forget it. I'll just put a whole bunch of shampoo on my head and that should do it".
Oh and shaving my legs. Funny story for this one. I was trying to shave one leg and something was always in my way ticking me off, I finally realized it was my other leg that was in my way! lol
Doing dishes! HAHAHA I got out of doing dishes for a little while because I kept dropping and breaking them and cutting myself cleaning the knives.
I even asked him one day if he would clip my toe nails because I could not grip the clippers. But again he gave me a weird look so I just let my toe nails grow till I decided to really try again.
I quit doing my hair, putting on make up and even getting dressed for the day. But I knocked that off because that was just depressing. But what a weird sensation putting make up on your face with shaky numb hands! I manageable. It just takes longer, that's all.
Trying to grab anything out of my make up bag too is frustrating. Go in to grab the mascara and come out with a rubber band! Neat lil magic trick huh?
Buttoning buttons yup yup. Very hard to do.
It's good to laugh about it. If I didn't laugh about it I would cry all day everyday.
i could probably drive but when I turn my head too quick I spin and eyes can't focus right. so I don't think it would be smart for me. But the gloves is a good idea! I should do that doing dishes that way i have a better grip!
Most of it has gotten better enough to do these things and the rest I've just learned how to deal with and have gotten used to it.
I no longer wake up thinking "Will it go away today?". I don't think it will ever go away. But if it does...SWEET!
Well this was a nice trip down reality lane. :-)
Smile. We gotta love ourselves just as we would love and care about someone else in our position. Not beating ourselves up and getting on our own nerves---no pun intended! lol
My rib cage prevented me from rolling at night in bed. I would just have to lay there in the same position all night. And then have my man push my back to help me sit up.
Reaching in the dark room trying to find the light switch, not being able to feel, so you just hope that your hands hits the switch somehow, sometime.
Shampooing my hair. I remember in the beginning me begging for my man to come in and help me wash my hair because I could not feel if there was enough shampoo on my hair. He was like, "Are you serious?!" I was like, "forget it. I'll just put a whole bunch of shampoo on my head and that should do it".
Oh and shaving my legs. Funny story for this one. I was trying to shave one leg and something was always in my way ticking me off, I finally realized it was my other leg that was in my way! lol
Doing dishes! HAHAHA I got out of doing dishes for a little while because I kept dropping and breaking them and cutting myself cleaning the knives.
I even asked him one day if he would clip my toe nails because I could not grip the clippers. But again he gave me a weird look so I just let my toe nails grow till I decided to really try again.
I quit doing my hair, putting on make up and even getting dressed for the day. But I knocked that off because that was just depressing. But what a weird sensation putting make up on your face with shaky numb hands! I manageable. It just takes longer, that's all.
Trying to grab anything out of my make up bag too is frustrating. Go in to grab the mascara and come out with a rubber band! Neat lil magic trick huh?
Buttoning buttons yup yup. Very hard to do.
It's good to laugh about it. If I didn't laugh about it I would cry all day everyday.
i could probably drive but when I turn my head too quick I spin and eyes can't focus right. so I don't think it would be smart for me. But the gloves is a good idea! I should do that doing dishes that way i have a better grip!
Most of it has gotten better enough to do these things and the rest I've just learned how to deal with and have gotten used to it.
I no longer wake up thinking "Will it go away today?". I don't think it will ever go away. But if it does...SWEET!
Well this was a nice trip down reality lane. :-)
Smile. We gotta love ourselves just as we would love and care about someone else in our position. Not beating ourselves up and getting on our own nerves---no pun intended! lol
I can relate to your symptoms. I became numb from my ribs down to my toes on Nov. 8, 2009 (I'll probabably never forget that date!) I could not drive or hold anything, couldn't do my hair or even trim my nails, no cooking, dishes, cleaning, etc., had trouble walking or doing much of anything. I went to ER, regular physician, 2 neurologists and was finally diagnosed on Jan. 5, 2010. I, too, had been under extress stress and anxiety since June of 2009 (was told I was going to be laid off after 18 years at my job), and had also had a lot of little physical things I now figure were MS-related.
I am still having trouble with my feet and my legs are tingly and heavy like you described. I am able to drive now, but my hands are still quite numb and I drive with golf gloves on my hands because gripping the wheel feels horrible (like I have wire mesh in my hands) and I can't get a good grip. I still have a lot of trouble with fine motor movements like buttoning buttons, picking up pills--I can't feel what I pick up if it's dark (or just feel things when digging in my purse--I have to look.) I can only type with one finger on each hand, which is a big deal since I've been a legal secretary all my life and now can't type.
I'm supposed to start Avonex as soon as all the paperwork is done, insurance stuff, etc. You're right, the DMDs like Copaxone and Avonex are not supposed to help with symptoms, just slow down progression and relapses, which could still mean a LOT to our future! It's just hard not knowing what will be next (if anything.) So, I can surely relate to your issues.
Oh, and to Lewis09 --My neurol. checked my B12 level when he first saw me and he said it was OK. (It would have been so nice if it had all turned out to be due to low B12!) I also had brain & spine MRIs which showed a number of lesions. He didn't check my Vitamin D level for some reason, so when I had my regular yearly physical with my family dr. last week, I asked him to add it to the other blood tests he does. I'm anxious to see how it comes back. I just went to an MS program the other night where the speaker was Allen Bowling, a neurologist well known in the MS community, and he spoke for quite some time about the incidence of low levels of Vit. D in people with MS.
Good luck to both of you. I'll check back to see how your appointment goes, Lewis09 -- and I hope your issues start to calm down, Mybe.
It all stinks, doesn't it?
wendella
I am still having trouble with my feet and my legs are tingly and heavy like you described. I am able to drive now, but my hands are still quite numb and I drive with golf gloves on my hands because gripping the wheel feels horrible (like I have wire mesh in my hands) and I can't get a good grip. I still have a lot of trouble with fine motor movements like buttoning buttons, picking up pills--I can't feel what I pick up if it's dark (or just feel things when digging in my purse--I have to look.) I can only type with one finger on each hand, which is a big deal since I've been a legal secretary all my life and now can't type.
I'm supposed to start Avonex as soon as all the paperwork is done, insurance stuff, etc. You're right, the DMDs like Copaxone and Avonex are not supposed to help with symptoms, just slow down progression and relapses, which could still mean a LOT to our future! It's just hard not knowing what will be next (if anything.) So, I can surely relate to your issues.
Oh, and to Lewis09 --My neurol. checked my B12 level when he first saw me and he said it was OK. (It would have been so nice if it had all turned out to be due to low B12!) I also had brain & spine MRIs which showed a number of lesions. He didn't check my Vitamin D level for some reason, so when I had my regular yearly physical with my family dr. last week, I asked him to add it to the other blood tests he does. I'm anxious to see how it comes back. I just went to an MS program the other night where the speaker was Allen Bowling, a neurologist well known in the MS community, and he spoke for quite some time about the incidence of low levels of Vit. D in people with MS.
Good luck to both of you. I'll check back to see how your appointment goes, Lewis09 -- and I hope your issues start to calm down, Mybe.
It all stinks, doesn't it?
wendella
bumped at Mybe's request. Will be thinking of you come Monday lewis09. Let us know how goes.
Mary
Mary
Hi!
Great! Hopefully you get some answers.
I was going through severe anxiety/stress/depression before I knew anything. I thought my numbness and stuff was all from that. When I finally got to see a doctor that was her first thought too.
She said she had a collage student come in and had the same symptoms as me and with antidepressants and anti anxiety meds the girl was all better in 20 days. So I started taking the same meds but a week or two into it I started seeing double. I thought maybe it was the meds and she thought so too so I stopped taking them. But the double vision didn't immediately go away after stopping them. So she sent me to an ophthalmologist and then they sent me to a neuro-ophthalmologist.
It was then that I finally got thoroughly checked and some answers.
DX'd MS Feb 15th 2010
I still wonder though if the stress and anxiety had anything to do with my onset of MS.
I know MS can cause depression and anxiety but I wonder if it can happen the other way around too. Like the depression and anxiety caused the MS...
Because I have heard lots of stories where the person was experiencing severe depression and anxiety and then ended up with MS symptoms. Myself included.
Now that I have some "label" for these symptoms it's not like it's any better but at least there is an answer. I'm not freaking out wondering what the hell is going on. And it's easier for others around me too.
I've had numb legs since October 2009. Since Oct. 17th I have not drove. I can't run to the store or go over to a friend's house if I get sick of sitting at home or anything. It's not just numb it's also heavy. Like I have 50lb weights on my legs. Plus my fingers are still numb. It's been 6 months! Actually it's been since April of last year when I first started having weird symptoms. So almost a year! I try so hard to stay positive but it's hard when things you've enjoyed doing gets taken away. And then never knowing how you're going to feel the next day. Constantly wondering and trying to plan around unpredictable symptoms. So I relate and hear what you mean about not getting an alert or warning.
I should be starting Copaxone soon. I doubt it's supposed to help with my symptoms, I think it just helps prevent relapses, or prolongs the time in between relapses. The dr said he just hopes the numbness and stuff goes away on it's own. Said there's nothing to give me for it.
I've got my dinner sitting here getting cold cause I've just been rambling on.
Just wanted to wish you luck and let you know you're not alone!!
(~hugs~)
Great! Hopefully you get some answers.
I was going through severe anxiety/stress/depression before I knew anything. I thought my numbness and stuff was all from that. When I finally got to see a doctor that was her first thought too.
She said she had a collage student come in and had the same symptoms as me and with antidepressants and anti anxiety meds the girl was all better in 20 days. So I started taking the same meds but a week or two into it I started seeing double. I thought maybe it was the meds and she thought so too so I stopped taking them. But the double vision didn't immediately go away after stopping them. So she sent me to an ophthalmologist and then they sent me to a neuro-ophthalmologist.
It was then that I finally got thoroughly checked and some answers.
DX'd MS Feb 15th 2010
I still wonder though if the stress and anxiety had anything to do with my onset of MS.
I know MS can cause depression and anxiety but I wonder if it can happen the other way around too. Like the depression and anxiety caused the MS...
Because I have heard lots of stories where the person was experiencing severe depression and anxiety and then ended up with MS symptoms. Myself included.
Now that I have some "label" for these symptoms it's not like it's any better but at least there is an answer. I'm not freaking out wondering what the hell is going on. And it's easier for others around me too.
I've had numb legs since October 2009. Since Oct. 17th I have not drove. I can't run to the store or go over to a friend's house if I get sick of sitting at home or anything. It's not just numb it's also heavy. Like I have 50lb weights on my legs. Plus my fingers are still numb. It's been 6 months! Actually it's been since April of last year when I first started having weird symptoms. So almost a year! I try so hard to stay positive but it's hard when things you've enjoyed doing gets taken away. And then never knowing how you're going to feel the next day. Constantly wondering and trying to plan around unpredictable symptoms. So I relate and hear what you mean about not getting an alert or warning.
I should be starting Copaxone soon. I doubt it's supposed to help with my symptoms, I think it just helps prevent relapses, or prolongs the time in between relapses. The dr said he just hopes the numbness and stuff goes away on it's own. Said there's nothing to give me for it.
I've got my dinner sitting here getting cold cause I've just been rambling on.
Just wanted to wish you luck and let you know you're not alone!!
(~hugs~)
Well I have a nuerologist appt Monday 3/15. I pray that I can get some resolve to all of these symptoms I'm having. I might just lose my mind if I hear one more Dr tell me that my symptoms are from stress/anxiety. I have tracked my symtpoms over the past two years since the onset. (Mybe) told me to be sure that I get my B12 serum checked specifically as well as vitamin D. I want to get some kind of diagnosis, so I don't have to go through life struggling, going day by day, is my pain, tingling, numbess blurred vision, going to be a 10 or a 1 today. The one thing I hate about having these mysterious symtpoms is that there is never an alert/warning that there coming. Wish me luck on Monday the 15, will keep everyone posted.
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