Limbo lander

Hey everyone. This is my first post. Please bear with me as I'm sure you've heard most of this before. I am yet to be diagnosed with MS. However, after comparing my symptoms with research, I believe there is a strong argument to be made. I'm also afraid that I have multiple diagnoses making it hard to say what is causing what. My PCP is getting to the point that he is tired of investigating my symptoms. He did pursue my GI thoroughly, though.
Well, let me get to my symptoms and info gathered thus far.

Visual Disturbances. These include Photophobia, unusual glare off lights at night and halos, I believe. Just this morning I noticed that I was having double vision for about 15 minutes ( first time ). I occaisionally see strange things that seem to appear briefly, but are gone just as quick. This is usually not in my direct focus of vision. And, I've noticed that I "slump" over the computer keyboard.

Fatigue...I got it. I cannot keep up with my housework even though I only work part-time. Some days are much worse than others. I've slept 8-9 hours just to get up, check my e-mail and go back to bed for 5 hours. Other days I'm good for 6-8 hours of consciousness. Sometimes more...depends. Exercise-wise, some nights I can go a brisk hour, others I struggle for 20 minutes or opt to not do so at all. Mostly depends on my breathing and gait.

Gait/balance - somedays good, some embarrassingly not.

Cognitive Function - definitely impaired. Not so much that I cannot function at all...but poor memory. I used to have a knack for coming up with very descriptive words...now I find myself pausing to "locate" them and then resorting to more common words to avoid embarrassment. Also, I find myself using the "spellcheck" much more often. I used to be a nearly totally accurate "rapid fire" typer. Now, mediocre.

Gingivitis that won't go away.

Here's a tricky one:

I told my PCP that my right hand ( primarily ) was going numb off and on with pins and needles followed by some pain. He referred my to a Neurologist. I was given the "Carpal Tunnel" test...being jolted to examine nerve/muscle response. The Neuro said I was "in the low normal range" or "borderline." My PCP is ready to dismiss this without further investigation. The part that concerns me the most is trying to find out if it's something to do with MS or a Vascular Condition such as Buerger's Disease. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Spider and Vericose veins on the posterior area of my feet that look much to old to be on a 36 y/o.

Occasional difficulty breathing with exertion.

A spasm around my lower right rib cage...still under investigation.

Shriveled skin on my hands and dry spots on my arms that bleed if scratched too much...really, it looks very irregular on a person my age.

I know this long, folks. Anyone who can identify or dis-identify these symptoms with MS would be a great help. I'm working with 3 Doctors and trying to be smart about what symptoms I present to each to get the quickest, most efficient treatment.

Also of note, I just had a "normal" CT Scan and my GI area has been checked thoroughly. Plenty of blood tests...nothing really abnormal. He said I was free of Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Disorders. Did come up with iron-deficient Anemia, though.

I do have a question: Would it be okay to ask a Psychiatrist for a MS screening MRI?

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I'm so sorry you are feeling badly, and your symptoms are all over the map.  This leaving you w/having to make appointments with a variety of Drs to get to the bottom of the problems.  You must be worried.

There are a few problems you mention that strike me as not typical MS related symptoms and those would be the spider veins and vericose veins and the skin bleeding easily problems.  I'm glad you've mentioned though because it must really be bothering you, and I'm sure you feel better have putting everything in here, though I suspect you've probably left some things out thinking you don't want to overwhelm us ...it's ok... :)  We've all done it to one another.

Gait, balance, numbness and cog. problems are related to MS symptoms, however, they are also symptoms seen in other conditions and diseases.  

Has the Neuro run any other tests? And, has anyone suggested looking into possible vascular issues? I would be worried about this too, with what you are experiencing. I'm not quite sure about the psychiatrist and MRIs.  I don't know if this is something they would typically do or not.  I think you might have a better chance of getting one ordered from the Neuro.  Did the Neuro document the gait and balance problems.  Like you say, it does come and go.  This I understand.

Well, I've gone on long enough for now.  Would like to give others a chance to send thoughts.  Thanks for coming our way.  Hope we can help you, or at least provide some support.

be well, and Welcome!
Shelly

[robbo72]

Thank you for responding. This is like being on pins and needles...not just my hand, either.
Firstly, I did just have a Doppler Ultrasound scheduled for vascular problems ( thankfully they took me w/o a referral ). I do fear I am suffering from more than one major problem, here.
Like you say, my symptoms are all over the place which no doubt explains why my PCP is overwhelmed as well. But, I certainly echo what I've read A LOT so far, 'We KNOW when something is wrong with our bodies.'
I've only seen a Neurologist once. She gave me the physical exam, asked questions and the like. While she was very polite and nice to explain my problems to, she said she didn't think there was a problem. Probably because I wasn't having much of any problem that day ( I find at this point, adrenaline seems to clear the problems up ). Since, she has went on medical leave and I am awaiting a follow-up with her replacement. I see my psychiatrist before then. That is why I wondered if they would order an MRI.
Unfortunately, all these symptoms cannot be attributed to either MS or a Vascular issue. Well, it is possible it's all a vascular issue, but not a certainty. Only time will tell.
I'd really like to know what the forum thinks of the symptoms I've listed ( right or wrong ).

Thanks again.

[MrsAristotle]

Hi and welcome.

The first part of your post you sound as though you are suffering Migraine.

There is a rare form of Migraine which can give you some of your symptoms.

Basilar artery migraine is a rare form of Migraine with Aura seen most commonly in young women and has an aura that is believed to be due to vertebro-basilar ischaemia.

Features of the aura may include:

    * vertigo
    * dysarthria
    * ataxia
    * diplopia
    * bilateral visual impairment or sensory symptoms

A friend of mine has been diagnosed with this, and she has some of the weirdest things going on, YET she doesnt really get a lot of headaches, more visual disturbances.

Have you had a Lupus test? Some of your symptoms are certainly Lupus even to the skin problem.

Can you remember when all this started did something happen in your life, or did you have a virus or anything, as sometimes the strangest things can be the KEY to these illnesses. Did you travel anywhere unusual etc.

I know how hard it is to live in limbo land, but you can get answers, you have to keep going its your right to know what is wrong with you. Maria

[robbo72]

Hi. I would say I really started noticing things around last November. When I think back more, I really started having gait problems over a year ago. But, I had broken my toe prior and thought maybe it was related. No viruses or anything unusual other than the toe. Well, truth be told I drank a lot back then. I think I attributed a lot to that.
Lupus...hmmm. Need to look into that.
Thanks for the informational reply.

[tonyad]

My sympathy, thoughts, and prayers, go out to you. While I do not have any answers for you, If your PCP is  getting as you say.."Tired of investigating", then perhaps it is time for you to move on to someone who does not easily tire!

OK, so now you know that you do not have any GI problems (that's good), now you move on to other testing. Whatever you have, and it may be; like you said, a couple different things. Basically a process of elimination is where most of us are at. And unless a specific test SCREAMS out with answers, it may take a while for answers.

Do not give up!  Go with your "Gut Feeling" as it is usually right.
I hope you get to feeling somewhat human soon. Have a nice night :)
Hugs to you,
~Tonya