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Someone on Yahoo! Answers suggested I may have MS. Could it be?
Hello all. During one of my increasingly frequent depressive moments, I posted a question on Yahoo! Answers detailing my symptoms, and someone said it sounds like I have MS. I have considered it in the past, but the thing that always tells me, "Couldn't be." is the fact that I have this stabbing pain on one very specific spot on the back of my head all of the time. Anyway, I'm just going to copy and paste my question below.
"How do I go about breaking the news to people in my life that I'm, well, a moron?
A lot of people in my life think I'm a really smart person because I made As in almost every single class I ever took while in school and am, according to some people at least, fairly well spoken.
Thing is, though, I've actually done probably the stupidest thing for the past about 8 years of my life. I've been getting progressively sicker and haven't seen a doctor for it out of fear and haven't really told anyone...I mean, I've told people I get dizzy and headaches a lot, but that's just about 2% of all of the problems I've developed, and no one really took me seriously after a while because the complaints were so frequent.
I think I have a brain tumor or an aneurysm. Obviously I can't be certain, but honestly, there aren't too many other conditions that could explain all of the neurological issues I have. I have this one spot on the back of my head that hurts REALLY REALLY bad all of the time. Sometimes the pain is worse than other times, but it pretty much hurts every second that I'm awake. I have serious difficulties concentrating on anything. Sometimes I have these episodes where it feels like all of the blood is draining from my brain and I'm about to black out. I get dizzy randomly. I have no balance...I feel like I'm about to fall half of the time. I have serious trouble remembering words...there are so many times when I sit there going, "...oh, what's that thing called?" about basic things, like, I couldn't remember the name of an elliptical the other day. Recently, I've had this 24/7 ringing sound in my ear that will not let up. It often feels as though there's liquid swooshing around in my skull. Sometimes I start feeling like all of my senses are dulled and almost like I'm not really in my body b/c I can barely feel anything. Sometimes my skull goes numb. It's really, really difficult to explain. I just know that my body feels like a torture chamber.
It's gotten so bad to the point that I'm afraid to go out in public b/c sometimes my mind just goes blank and I get really disoriented feeling. I just sit in my bedroom all day long; it's so depressing. I pretty much just sit here, cry, and feel like a waste of a human being all day long. I told people I developed a social anxiety disorder and that's why I don't go out anymore, but it's a lie. My dad doesn't understand why I'm afraid to go apply for jobs, and I can't just sit in my room forever.
I'm so afraid I'm going to just drop dead one day because sometimes it really feels like I'm dying. I'm pretty sure that whatever is wrong with my brain is REALLY bad, and I'm terrified of having surgery done on my brain, so I keep putting off telling people what's going on. I don't know what to do/ I hate my life and myself. I feel so stuck and hopeless."
I'm really sorry that this is so long, but I do hope someone can read it and give me some much-needed input.
"How do I go about breaking the news to people in my life that I'm, well, a moron?
A lot of people in my life think I'm a really smart person because I made As in almost every single class I ever took while in school and am, according to some people at least, fairly well spoken.
Thing is, though, I've actually done probably the stupidest thing for the past about 8 years of my life. I've been getting progressively sicker and haven't seen a doctor for it out of fear and haven't really told anyone...I mean, I've told people I get dizzy and headaches a lot, but that's just about 2% of all of the problems I've developed, and no one really took me seriously after a while because the complaints were so frequent.
I think I have a brain tumor or an aneurysm. Obviously I can't be certain, but honestly, there aren't too many other conditions that could explain all of the neurological issues I have. I have this one spot on the back of my head that hurts REALLY REALLY bad all of the time. Sometimes the pain is worse than other times, but it pretty much hurts every second that I'm awake. I have serious difficulties concentrating on anything. Sometimes I have these episodes where it feels like all of the blood is draining from my brain and I'm about to black out. I get dizzy randomly. I have no balance...I feel like I'm about to fall half of the time. I have serious trouble remembering words...there are so many times when I sit there going, "...oh, what's that thing called?" about basic things, like, I couldn't remember the name of an elliptical the other day. Recently, I've had this 24/7 ringing sound in my ear that will not let up. It often feels as though there's liquid swooshing around in my skull. Sometimes I start feeling like all of my senses are dulled and almost like I'm not really in my body b/c I can barely feel anything. Sometimes my skull goes numb. It's really, really difficult to explain. I just know that my body feels like a torture chamber.
It's gotten so bad to the point that I'm afraid to go out in public b/c sometimes my mind just goes blank and I get really disoriented feeling. I just sit in my bedroom all day long; it's so depressing. I pretty much just sit here, cry, and feel like a waste of a human being all day long. I told people I developed a social anxiety disorder and that's why I don't go out anymore, but it's a lie. My dad doesn't understand why I'm afraid to go apply for jobs, and I can't just sit in my room forever.
I'm so afraid I'm going to just drop dead one day because sometimes it really feels like I'm dying. I'm pretty sure that whatever is wrong with my brain is REALLY bad, and I'm terrified of having surgery done on my brain, so I keep putting off telling people what's going on. I don't know what to do/ I hate my life and myself. I feel so stuck and hopeless."
I'm really sorry that this is so long, but I do hope someone can read it and give me some much-needed input.
I don't know what all of your symptoms are, but have you heard of tick borne diseases? Lyme Disease and Bartonella can both cause numerous mysterious neurological symptoms, and Babesia is known to cause ice pick like headaches.
They don't always start with a fever. They can start slow, especially in kids and teenagers. Symptoms can also come and go, or wax and wane. Lyme and especially Bartonella can cause depression, anxiety, irritability, and even panic attacks. They call them neuropsychiatric issues. Many doctors see these patients and send them packing to a psychiatrist, in spite of their medical symptoms, thinking their stress is causing the physical issues. In the case of these infections, the physical issues are causing the stress!
If you are up for a blood draw, you can contact IgeneX, a specialty lab that does a much better job of finding these diseases, for a test kit. Note: A negative result doesn't rule any of them out. Sometimes people only test positive after taking certain antibiotics for a while. You need a doctor to authorize the tests, and you have to pay up front, and then submit it to your insurance for reimbursement. It is worth it, though, to either rule them out, or to learn you have a treatable infection.
This might be helpful. I hope you get answers soon!
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines.html
They don't always start with a fever. They can start slow, especially in kids and teenagers. Symptoms can also come and go, or wax and wane. Lyme and especially Bartonella can cause depression, anxiety, irritability, and even panic attacks. They call them neuropsychiatric issues. Many doctors see these patients and send them packing to a psychiatrist, in spite of their medical symptoms, thinking their stress is causing the physical issues. In the case of these infections, the physical issues are causing the stress!
If you are up for a blood draw, you can contact IgeneX, a specialty lab that does a much better job of finding these diseases, for a test kit. Note: A negative result doesn't rule any of them out. Sometimes people only test positive after taking certain antibiotics for a while. You need a doctor to authorize the tests, and you have to pay up front, and then submit it to your insurance for reimbursement. It is worth it, though, to either rule them out, or to learn you have a treatable infection.
This might be helpful. I hope you get answers soon!
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines.html
Go to the doctor--this is coming from a doctor phobic woman. I put off going for five months, and during that time, I convinced myself I had ALS, which is fatal. I found out I do not have that disease--I wasted so much time in fear. You very well might have something that is easily treatable. Good luck!
Have you been to the drs yet.if so how r u.look up on the internet..spinocerebella ataxia.i know its a late post and hope u still log in here .x
Yes, probably one of the worse parts is that I'm 22, so people think I *can't* be sick. If I say I feel off balanced or have a headache or something, I get brushed aside with "hypochondriac" or "I don't know when you developed this phobia of rides, but it needs to stop" (this is what my dad said when I told him I didn't want to go on the roller coasters at Universal).
To clarify, when I say 8 years, I don't mean ALL of this has been going on for 8 years. The first problem I had began when I was 14 and noticed that I had no sense of taste...I put my lunch in my mouth one day, and it tasted like plastic. Then when I was 17, I started getting dizzy and/or nauseous at random times and started experiencing blurred vision. Then during my first year of college, the head pain began, and all of the other problems began more rapidly introducing themselves over the following 5 years. For the first about 3 years of this, I really did think I just had blood sugar issues or something.
Anyway, thanks for the responses.
To clarify, when I say 8 years, I don't mean ALL of this has been going on for 8 years. The first problem I had began when I was 14 and noticed that I had no sense of taste...I put my lunch in my mouth one day, and it tasted like plastic. Then when I was 17, I started getting dizzy and/or nauseous at random times and started experiencing blurred vision. Then during my first year of college, the head pain began, and all of the other problems began more rapidly introducing themselves over the following 5 years. For the first about 3 years of this, I really did think I just had blood sugar issues or something.
Anyway, thanks for the responses.
Hi there,
Thank you for trusting us with your fears, and thoughts.
Please do tell your Dad that you would like to go to the doctor because the thought of something being the matter with you is consuming your life, and you cannot live in fear.
Chances are, the doctor will re-assure you that physically you are ok, but that you may need something to help with depression and anxiety. I suggest this because you mention you are afraid to go out, that you think you have a brain tumor, and you are increasingly depressed.
Don't be afraid to do this - we very much understand.
There is medicine for these things. It's ok to tell the doctor your worse fears. They are there to help you. Help yourself, and talk to Dad or Mom about a visit with an MD.
Thank you for trusting us with your fears, and thoughts.
Please do tell your Dad that you would like to go to the doctor because the thought of something being the matter with you is consuming your life, and you cannot live in fear.
Chances are, the doctor will re-assure you that physically you are ok, but that you may need something to help with depression and anxiety. I suggest this because you mention you are afraid to go out, that you think you have a brain tumor, and you are increasingly depressed.
Don't be afraid to do this - we very much understand.
There is medicine for these things. It's ok to tell the doctor your worse fears. They are there to help you. Help yourself, and talk to Dad or Mom about a visit with an MD.
I'm so sorry little freefallin, you're so young. I'm almost 60, it's more acceptable for me to be ill.
The very first step in this matter is to deny, it can last what is needed.
Second,acceptance.
Then take action and go to the doctor.
Be courageous, we all are near you.
The very first step in this matter is to deny, it can last what is needed.
Second,acceptance.
Then take action and go to the doctor.
Be courageous, we all are near you.
I started to get those kind of head pains back in November as well, sometimes on one side, sometimes on both sides. I had an MRI that ruled out all of the life-threatening issues and feel SO much better. When you weigh how much stress you are under about this "not knowing" to how much stress you will feel "knowing", I'd get the tests. Even if there is something to be concerned about, the sooner you get working on treating it, the better the possible outcome can be. Chances are, you'll be relieved and having that burden of stress lifted can do wonders for your health.
Best wishes,
Laura
Best wishes,
Laura
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree "it gets a little frustrating when people brush off my......" or even very frustrating sometimes, it sounds like you might hear it a bit, so your frustration is understandable.
To clarrify:
I referenced 'migraine' as a common 'none life threatening' condition for head pain and not trying to suggest or say, your head pain = migraine. I dont actually think migraine is a posibity because its constant and never ending.
Am I reading you clearly, its been 8 years and you've not seen a doctor or told anyone?
"for the past about 8 years of my life. I've been getting progressively sicker and haven't seen a doctor for it out of fear and haven't really told anyone"
I really really think you need to speak, one on one with a doctor, please dont let this continue to rule your life, its time to find the courage!
Take care.......JJ
To clarrify:
I referenced 'migraine' as a common 'none life threatening' condition for head pain and not trying to suggest or say, your head pain = migraine. I dont actually think migraine is a posibity because its constant and never ending.
Am I reading you clearly, its been 8 years and you've not seen a doctor or told anyone?
"for the past about 8 years of my life. I've been getting progressively sicker and haven't seen a doctor for it out of fear and haven't really told anyone"
I really really think you need to speak, one on one with a doctor, please dont let this continue to rule your life, its time to find the courage!
Take care.......JJ
Thing is, migraines don't last 24/7 for years on end and aren't accompanied by all of these other problems. Honestly, it gets a little frustrating when people brush off my head pain with "Must be tension headaches" or "Sounds like migraines." I've never heard of someone having a sensation as if they were stabbed in the back of the head 24/7 as the result of a migraine disorder. It's not even a headache...it's just a burning/stabbing sensation on a small spot on the back of my head. Nonetheless, I thank you for your response as well
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and i'm sorry that your in this possition and feeling as you do. Please understand that I am in no way attempting to minimise what you are dealing with, none at all, something IS wrong!
Though if I am reading your post correctly, you do have consistent centralised head pain that has never been adequately resolved or addressed, that has generated into something more, to the point of negatively affecting your life, socially and finacially etc.
Progressed to a point (imho) that is bordering on, not social phobia but health anxiety and that alone warrents seeking medical help. Your fears and anxiety regarding your health if left untreated or appropriately addressed, will only continue your downward spiral and provide zero benefit to you.
As for everything else, the head pain needs investigation, though your fears are probably over probability stats, more likely a none life threatening condition eg migraine than as you fear, again seek medical help.
Forget about anything else it might or might not be, get help for those 2 things and everything should become more clear.
Take care..............JJ
Though if I am reading your post correctly, you do have consistent centralised head pain that has never been adequately resolved or addressed, that has generated into something more, to the point of negatively affecting your life, socially and finacially etc.
Progressed to a point (imho) that is bordering on, not social phobia but health anxiety and that alone warrents seeking medical help. Your fears and anxiety regarding your health if left untreated or appropriately addressed, will only continue your downward spiral and provide zero benefit to you.
As for everything else, the head pain needs investigation, though your fears are probably over probability stats, more likely a none life threatening condition eg migraine than as you fear, again seek medical help.
Forget about anything else it might or might not be, get help for those 2 things and everything should become more clear.
Take care..............JJ
The only way anyone can really tell you what's going on is through medical testing. Please get yourself to a doctor. I'm sorry you're going through all that pain, but you have to talk to a professional in order to get any real answers.
Feel free to stick around the forum, share your experiences, and ask questions in the meanwhile. Good luck and best wishes.
- Jane
Feel free to stick around the forum, share your experiences, and ask questions in the meanwhile. Good luck and best wishes.
- Jane
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