MS?

[maria20]

Hello, about a week ago I started having tingling in two fingers on each hand, which then went away within a day.  Since, then, for the past week, different parts of my body (arms, legs, back, toes) go slightly for about an 1-3 hours and then return to normal.  Sometimes one side of the body is affected, sometimes both sides are affected.  I have also been having some trouble reading.  My eyes seem to be having a hard time working together to focus.  I am also intermittently dizzy.  I am a mother of two small children and a full time grad student, so I am more than a little stressed.  I have had anxiety symptoms before, (tight throat, shallow breathing, fast heart rate, insomnia), but nothing like like this.  Other than that, I have fairly healthy (exercise, eat right, etc.).  My only other health problem is cholinergic urticaria (hives when get hot).  Please help me because I am freaking out thinking I have MS, and I can't study!  My neuro appt isn't for a month.  My PCP thought it was probably anxiety, but she referred me basically because I was crying in her office about how I am scared I have MS.  Thank you, Maria

[tarter]

To Maria20,

Hi Maria sorry to hear you are having these symtoms remember that anxiety will increase your symtoms much the same as stress.

Take each day at a time and dont overdo things with running.
I find if I do too much exercise i suffer the next few days.
Hope you get some answers soon tarter

[maria20]

Thanks for your posts.  You are very kind for taking the time to respond.  I tend to think that it is anxiety too, but one still worries.  Parts of my face will also sporadically go numb.  The numbness does seem to get worse when I am stressed.  It also completely disappears only to return and jump around my body again.  My muscles are also quite fatigued, even though I normally run 3-5 miles a day and don't have this problem.  Thanks again.

[coldnhot45]

I am not a doctor. But usually MS first presents itself with an initial attack, often one major area ,only to disappear and then reappear later, sometimes years later and in another area. Once it is not longer what is referred to as an initial attack, it tends to, for the most esp. at first, remit and relapse and affect specific parts of your central nervous symptoms and not just go from place to place. Tingling can be from a lot of different things, many of them minor.  Also things like blurry vision and dizziness can as well,  some meds, for example have these as possible side effects.
Just the fear of having ms or worrying about your health for any reason, it seems to me is enough to cause anxiety bad enough to cause physical symptoms.
Good luck and I wouldn't worry too much.

[supermum_ms]

I'm no dr but MS doesn't normally present its self like you've described, sx stick to their ususal places not move around every where, i'd be getting blood tests to see if you have an imbalance going on. I'd also keep an open mind to getting help with the anxiety you've already recognised as being an issue, anxiety can make life very difficult if left untreated.

Take care

Cheers......JJ