First symtpoms of MS

[AMS04]

Hello - I am very interested in anyone's stories of how you were first diagnosed with MS/what your first symtoms were.  As I have written, I have had on/off tingling in all four of my extremeties (this is my only symptom) for about 3-4 weeks.  I also have post partum anxiety (had a baby 11 weeks ago) and am on Celexa and Klonopin, but the meds have not yet completely eliminated the tingling.  I appreciate your input.  Thank you!!

[beth_]

hi!
it is strange for the tingling to be in all of your limbs at one time, at the moment i have it in both of my feet. mine started with optic neuritis, at the time the opthalmologist told me that its probably not ms, but i then got it again 2 yrs after and was then sure it was. a couple of weeks after the optic neuritis started a second time, i had numbness sensation on my stomach that spread down my leg with spasms down the other but now i just have buzzing in my feet. i also take meds for anxiety and depression.
it is quite common for ms to start with optic neuritis so if you have or start having blurred vision or eye pain, have it seeked out. theres no real way of knowing whether it is an onset unless you have further investigations like an mri and lumber. im still waiting to be diagnosed but was told i have ms.
theres quite a few things that could cause your symptoms so i would check it out if it is worrying you.  
wish you the best,
beth

[AMS04]

Hi Shell,

First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to write to me.  I cannot believe how many caring people are in this forum.  I have one more question, if you don't mind.  How soon after the tingling in your wrists did your other symptoms occur?  I'm just wondering if tingling alone could still be a sign, or if I should be expecting other symptoms if this is an onset of an attack.

Thanks again, and take care,
AMS

[sllowe]

Hello AMS,

Welcome to the forum.  I had tingling hands, both of them, but it didn't go past my wrists.  At the time, I didn't know it was the beginning stages of my attack and I also had buzzing/vibrating in my tailbone and if I looked down, both legs would go numb and tingle (l'ermittes sign).  Much more dysfunction followed though (stroke like) but it's not as rare as one would think.  

Just so you don't worry though, tingling and numbness is not isolated to MS - stress can cause it, just so many things too and I hope your treating Dr can investigate.  Have you read up on our health pages yet? Lots of info in there on MS dx.

Hope the meds begin to take affect and you feel better soon. Congratulations on your new little one!

Be well,
Shell

[kmil1999]

Since you just had a baby, maybe your hormones are out of wack.  I know if your cortisol is out of wack, you can feel really anxious.  It like you have anxiety, but its your body being in flight or fight, not your mind.

You might need to go to doctor and have them run some bloodwork.  

Don't let docs right you off.  Ask questions and search for answers.  you know your body.

Goodluck,
Karen

[AMS04]

Lulu,
Thanks for your feedback; I truly appreciate it.  This is my second son, and thanks for the congratulations.  I did not have these issues after my first baby, but I know every pregnancy/post partum is different.  So, from what you know, do tingling and other symptoms usually affect one side of the body at a time?  Also, do they come and go?  Again, thanks for your time.

Take care,
AMS

[Lulu54]

Hi AMS04 - if your only symptoms are the tingling in all four extremities, I have a strong feeling you are not dealing with MS.  The presentation of symptoms like this would be extremely rare - MS normally doesn't affect all four limbs in the same time period.  

Is this your first child?  Either way, congratulations on the new baby.  Post-partum everything is difficult, especially with a first child when you don't know what to expect.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

be well,
Lulu