Possible MS - see MS Neuro next week

[Sher1970]

I've been experiencing odd symptoms for the past 20 months (listed below) and started a daily journal a few weeks ago. My Brain MRI without contrast indicates "small scattered foci". I will be seeing a MS Neuro next week. I'm nervous but ready to start trying to find answers.



Noticeable Symptoms over past 20 months:

-"wet" feeling or water dripping on skin - usually starts on left leg then works its way up to my arms and head and then starts on the right side. Vibration or tingling feeling legs. Hand tremors.

-choking on Sylvia - typically happens when trying to focus on work

- dull headaches on sides of head

-feeling "off balance"

-electric shock feelings on cheek and head

-tingling numbness around mouth

- eye pain

- eye twitches

-episodes of blurred vision

-feeling worn down

-Trouble staying focused

Hand tremors

-anxiety

-bladder infections

- shingles

-extremely cold hands and feet

-cold sensation outside of left breast

9/8
New sensation - tongue tingling right side
Voice hoarseness

9/9
Tightness, heavy feeling right arm

Nausea after bath

9/10
Awoke having muscle soreness in upper right arm that felt tight and heavy yesterday.

Arm has been sore all day. Difficult to raise arm above head. Electric shocks on face, numb lips and wet feeling

9/13
Wet/cold sensations seem to less frequent.

9/14
Nausea after bath

After standing for a few hours at a house party and walking about 5 blocks back to the car my left leg had tremors the entire time I drove home and pushed on the clutch. Leg feels weak.

9/16
Past several days periods of numbness left cheek. Water/cold sensations on legs continue.

Electric shock feeling hands and arms

9/17-18
Left calf muscle continues to be very tight with sporadic spasms.

9/18
Sharp shooting pains in neck

9/21
Spasms entire early morning left leg. Feeling of tightness across chest as well as tingling from chin down neck for approx 15 mins.

9/19-9/22
Continued tightness, spasms and twitching left leg. Intermittent spasms base neck/back.

9/23
Left leg spasms, wet splashes on skin, sharp neck pain radiates left arm. Left feels week and tight.

9/24
Leg spasms woke me up and have been continuous for the past few hours. Leg continues to feel weak and tight through calf.

[kwarendorf]

I've not heard of infections being related to MS. It is an autoimmune disease, but it impacts the central nervous system. Then again, what is not known about MS would fill a pretty big book :-)

Kyle

[Sher1970]

Oh, the MS doc has seen the MRI report but not the images. Will take images to first appointment.

[Sher1970]

Thank you Kyle. I had blood work done about 4 weeks ago which all came back negative. Brain MRI 3 weeks ago. I was actually surprised to get a call yesterday from MS Center saying the doc wanted to see me so soon.

I plan to print my list of symptoms to hand to the doctor. My primary doc became concerned when taking in to account my series of infections and then the wet/cold sensations I have experienced for over 20 months. She feels there is an autoimmune disease...now we start testing to see what it is.

[kwarendorf]

Hi Sher -

That you have this extensive symptom log is a good thing. The MRI of your brain w/o contrast also provides a starting point. The existing MRI will provide a point of comparison with subsequent images.

You don't mention whether the MS doc has seen the existing MRI or when it was done. The new doc may (should) order MRI's of brain, c-spine and t-spine all done with and without contrast. There should also be a series of blood tests to rule out MS mimics, like Lyme disease. Based on the findings of these tests a lumbar puncture (aka LP, spinal tap) may be in order.

When you meet with your neuro, don't worry about trying to get through your entire symptom list. When, and if, asked try and focus on the top 3-4 symptoms in terms of their impact on your quality of life.

Keep us posted,
Kyle