possible MS or something else

[kellykat60409]

Last year I was testes for Ms but nothing showed admoral. I get numbness and pins and needles in the arms legs and feet. I had MRIs of my brain, neck, and back but everything came back normal. I also had emg, eeg, and the visual test. The visual tests was the only thing that showed abnormal where my eyes bounced up and down. I never went back for my follow up since all my syptoms went away. Now that summer is here my syptoms have came back. This is a pattern where whenever it gets hot out my sypmtoms seem to come back. Last week I woke up with a bad stiff neck for about three days, after it went away my thumb went numb. the feeling since has came back, but not completely. The only test my doctor didn't perform was the spinal tap (something I don't really want)

Does the heat affect MS, but also wouldn't it show up in the MRI, and the blood tests that checked for any autoimmune diseases showed nothing abmornal. sometimes for no reason as all I will get a sharp stabbing pain in my eye that will last for a few seconds to a minute and then I won't get if for a few weeks. I know Ms is hard to diaganose, but is theirs cases where people have it and it won't show up on tests. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[kellykat60409]

I just looked up the signs for spinal arthritis and these are the symptoms

Back pain that comes and goes

Spinal stiffness in the morning such as after getting out of bed or after activity.
Often this pain decreases with rest or, for some, after exercise

Pain, tenderness or numbness in the neck

Lower back pain that runs down into the buttocks, thighs, or pelvic area, sciatica

Pain or tenderness in the shoulders, hips, knees or heels

A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone

Weakness or numbness in legs or arms

Limited range of motion, difficulty bending or walking

Spinal deformity

I have most of these symptoms and am going to call the doctor. I called my mother and she told me that my grandmother had back problems. gain thank you for all your help and I will say prayers for everyone on this group. like I said before I will still keep you all posted. thank you all for your help

[kellykat60409]

forgot to add I just found my paperwork from last visit and when they did the MRI on my back they didn't find any lesions but it says possible beginning of arthritius (sorry about spelling) so going to look up the signs and compare my notes.

[kellykat60409]

I don't think I have ms Thank you for all your help. A couple of years ago I had tingling in my neck and had bulging discs where I went for physical theropy. I am thinking that the stiff neck I had triggered my bulging disc again. Even now my neck is still tender and when I turn it I hear cracking (samething that was happening a few years ago.) I think it might be pressing on a nerve since I had numbness in my thumb on the same side as my stiff neck. Also I read the cervical disc degeneration and read the smyptoms of that and some of the smyptoms I have having is connected with that. Still will keep you posted if I find anything else out.

[Want to feel well!!!]

I looked back for the posting where Quix wrote her ideas on the time line.  You can find that post in the thread entitled "To Quixotic1 about fomulating list" dated 7/09.  That could be very helpful

Again, if you need help, let me know.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Wanna

[kellykat60409]

Thank you for your information. I will start doing the steps you said. Thank you again and will keep you posted on what is happening.

[Want to feel well!!!]

First of all, if your neurologist does not take you seriously, or dismisses you, get a new one.  But be prepared.  He cannot help you if you don’t give him information.  

As Quix has advised all of us, put your symptoms into a time line, rather than a long list.  This is a Quix Quote, “Instead of saying weakness, be more specific.  Weakness where?  What did it prevent you from doing?  At least once describe why the fatigue you were feeling was different from other fatigue you had had.  For Dr. visits and med tests put the month down so that a reader can follow the timeline through the year.”

Use a format so the reader can move through it easily.  When I did list symptoms throughout the time line, I bulleted them to set them apart from the short paragraphs.  The time line also helped me because I could see a clear progression of what was happening to me that I had not really taken notice of before.  

Then I got pissed because I realized how much a certain doctor I used to see ignored me!  But that anger was put to good use as it fueled my search for an answer.  And the time line helped me put everything into order in my own head.  

You know how it is, you are in the exam room, you want to be taken seriously, and then you are asked, "So, what is going on with you?"  Personally, I would draw a BLANK and look like a deer in the headlights.  Then I’d scramble around in my foggy head trying to find the words I need to say, and then sound like an idiot.  

When I had my trusty time line I sounded articulate and I was able to ask specific questions as well.  

If you need help, I'd be glad to offer you assistance.

Wanna

[kellykat60409]

yes I have been to the neurologist, but I am calling to make another appointment. First I call to call my pcp and get a referral before I make the appointment.

The blood test I have had, was I know he tested for lyme disease, and for any autoimmune disease ( can't remember what they were called. I have also been tested for diabeates, animiea, and also a blood test for lukmeia.

[Want to feel well!!!]

Hi.  Sorry you are not feeling well.  You have come to the right place for support.

What blood tests have you had?  Have you been to a neurologist?

[kellykat60409]

The weakness I get is many in my left arm. I do get vibrations on my right leg from time to time like my cell phone is ringing ( but I don't carry my phone in my pocket.) The only thing the doctor has rules out is my lightheadness as he suspects an inner ear problem. I also get weakness in my lower and upper back but doctor thinks its due to my chest size. Thank you for your information. I am calling doctor tommorow to see what he thinks or if he wants to see me again.

[JonM]

Your symptoms don't clearly sound MS, but they could be.  Heat usually is more of an accelerator of existing symptoms.  I.e you have fatique and weakness in the legs.  Its gets worse when your hot. Yet heat does not cause MS nor would it have an effect on your test results.  Usually MS will affect a part of your body, such as your feet, or a leg or an arm, not all your extremities at the same time.  I have MS and for me the symptoms have been classic with the exception that I haven't had visual disturbances (yet).  As I have said before MS is usually diagnosed from your clincal presentations of symptoms, particularly over time.  The tests are used more to rule out other causes and to confirm and tract the progress of clincally diagnosed MS.  

Hope this helps

[kellykat60409]

forgot to add I have dizzy spells and two times had to go to the er. but they told me it was from dehydration (yet i drink lots of water and it was winter) plus after they released me I still didn't feel right. the lightheadedness I feel is like things are spinning, and othertimes it feels as if someone is pushing me where I am almost falling. A few time I did fall by tripping over my own feet,