is this ms?

[rrnichol]

I started going numb from my toes to my abdomen over a month and a half period, it lasted about three months yet has remained in my abdomen still (the ms hug). About three months ago I had a episode of severe vertigo accompanied with ataxia, vomiting that turned to nausea. I had light sensitivity and double vision it remained for about four days then I started to slowly regain my normal self. I went to my Dr who suggested from the begining my numbness was my fibromyalgia due to stress and my body was having a physical breakdown, this episode she then diagnosed as labrithitis and medicated me. I did not fill the prescription as I was feeling better by this time but in a matter if four days it happened again. Each time I'm debilitated my vertigo is so bad that I can't even be on my knees without falling over. Needless to say once thus second one hit I filled the prescription. I slowly recovered again. I was ok this time for just under two weeks and then it happened again. This time it started with loss of coordination and right side weakness as well as all the balance and other problems. It went on a lot longer and took longer to recover but it hasn't happened now for six weeks. I went to the Dr twice and was told my legs were not fibromyalgia and my vertigo was not labrithitis, both times it was suggested ms. I was rushed for a mri and it showed three white matter lesions and im now awaiting the neurologist. Since I've regained the feelings in my legs I now have a new symptom of under the skin vibration during exercise or simply rushing as I walk in my lower body. I have had muscle spasms for years all over randomly and rug burn sensations too . Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

[rrnichol]

I agree! Thank you Karen :)

[4happygnomes]

I'm so sorry for your diagnosis, but thankful you got answers so quick, quite impressed actually!  

Wishing you the best as you move forward!

Karen

[rrnichol]

Thanks? Yes it is very nice to have found a neurologist I'm comfortable with and honestly I didn't expect to find one so quickly. So far so good in that area. I hope everything else falls into place just as nicely. :)

[kwarendorf]

Congratulations? :-) Having answers is big. Now you can set about fighting MS. It can be fought!

It also sounds like you have found a keeper in your neurologist. This is also big. Because, for now, MS is forever our relationships with our neuros is a long one. Having one you like and trust is a real bonus.

Kyle

[rrnichol]

Thank you for your reply, this is all so new to me..it's nice to know I'll have people to talk to that can relate. :)

[Joiedecour]

I am glad you have answers. Now you can move ahead, although it's not so great that your fears are being confirmed. Good luck with choosing a dmd.

[rrnichol]

Your right Linda, it was not wanted to hear but I'm at least I can move forward and considering all the stories I have read I'm greatful to have had a answer as quickly as I did rather the n it take years. Now to learn more about the treatment options and what medications seem to work best.I wish you the best February 24 th as well. (( hugs))

[davincidanes]

With your answer, you can now proceed with proper treatment and relief of symptoms.  It's not great news that you have MS, and I'm sorry, but it is the beginning of getting to feel better.  My MS specialist appt. still is not until February 24th, so I continue on the seemingly never ending road in limboland until then.  Hope you quickly find the help you need for improvement now.
Hugs,
~Linda

[rrnichol]

I just wanted to update...I went to the neurologist yesterday. He went through my episodes n symptoms and said that he has three ideas of what I have , his reply..ms, ms , or ms. He is now sending Mr for a mri of my spine and neck region. He suspected the inflammation is the upper spine area. He was very kind and placed my symptoms to the lesions and was very helpful and understanding. We met for a Hr and a half and upon my exiting I went for blood work to rule out lupus , lime ect.. ,although he doesn't presume I have any of the following and said I have a default diagnosis of ms and when the blood work returns should it be negative then I will have a definite diagnosis. He sent me home with a booklet on ms and medication options to consider for when I return after all my testing and advised me if I have another episode before I return to contact him immediately and he will prescribe me the necessary medication to help. So needless to say...I got my answer.

[rrnichol]

I'm not sure what that is...I do know that yrs ago when my muscle twitches were mild I took a calcium magnesium n Zinc supplement and it took them away for a while...

[finnsmommy]

I do not have any other symptoms except for twitching. No fatigue. I had a baby 4 months ago and the symptoms started soon after. My twitches have almost disappeared except in my foot. My face only does it when I look in the mirror and do different facial expressions. My lips do not quiver unless I smile for a minute or two.

[rrnichol]

I've experienced twitching for yrs randomly I have the buzzing too and the quivering lips aswell. I really can't wait to get some answers. I've noticed too I have a bad memory and I have a hard time finding words sometimes too. Makes me feel very uncomfortable. I too forgot to mention when this all happened I had extreme fatigue ...like nothing I've ever experienced before .....I hope to get answers soon. Wish I knew what these symptoms were caused from

[finnsmommy]

I'm worried about ms. I started two months ago with twitching all over from my chin then arm then legs and feet. It would happen at random while I was at rest. Now my right foot buzzes and twitches. Also my lips quiver when smiling for a minute?

[rrnichol]

Thanks for the advice HVAC, I will keep that in mind. Yes too many possibilities... it's crazy!. mrm80 thank you sounds exactly like mine...it started as a buzzing in my feet that turned into a numb sensation that started crawling upward...it even was wrapped around the back side my legs I kept describing as duct tape was tightly wrapped around them yet it made its way to my abdomen...I thought it would never go away....I'm happy to say it is only in my lower abdomen now.I'm 36 right now and yes my appointment with the neurologist is January 20th. I'm not sure he specializes in ms but should he too suspect it as I had four other drs in total suggest then I will definitely seek out a ms specialists. All I know is it crept up, the full blown episodes were scary and I've never experienced so many crazy symptoms at one time. Thank you very much for your feed back.

[mrm80]

sounds exactly similar to my own onset, woke up one morning, feet were "asleep" feeling crept up my left leg and enveloped my groin and butt to my waist, but never my right leg ankle up, but both feet. this happened over 4 to 6 days tingle was replaced with the "MS Hug"  took 15 weeks to release me from that first hug, bottoms of my feet never "woke up" I am 57 now that was a month after my 30th birthday. Do not worry too much about tenous DX's  I had a Doctor Kahn in Detroit,supposed to be The MS Guru in this area, tell me three years after my pos DX that I really only had Transverse Myelitis and yet my lesions increased 7 fold in the ensuing 3 years.

[HVAC]

The neurologist is the next step. Neurologists specialize so you might want to go to a MS Specialist if you think it may be MS. It can take months to see one. If it turns out to be MS you need to see one anyway. There are many neurological conditions and over 30 MS mimics. Neurologist like to watch you over time. Do not be surprised if he does a follow up in 3 to 6 months. It can take years to get a diagnosis. I would make a timeline of symptoms. Make it one page. The doctor will not read it if it is too long. When you see the neurologist let him do his exam. Do not talk until after he is done unless he asks questions. Neurologist are a different breed cerebral. They do not do well with emotion. Also take any MRIs, reports, or doctor's notes. They do better with doctor's notes than you saying what the doctor said.

Usually MS does not start in the feet and work its way up. But then again it can be different in different people.

Alex

[rrnichol]

thank you for your response perhaps I should be more descriptive.. yes it does feel tight like I'm being crushed I know what your saying and I do have those symptoms. The reason I described it as numbness is because of the loss of sensation I have in that area to touch too that started in my feet and made its way upwards.

[rrnichol]

Oh and while in the hospital emergency all blood work was normal, my heart was fine, my ct was normal, and my xrays too, I had no signs of weakness either my reflexes were fine ,I just couldn't touch my hand to my nose on my right side I'd touch my ear and I'd fall over trying to stand up..the mri was the only test that came back with something.

[immisceo]

Numbness is the abdomen is not an accurate description of the MS Hug. That is more usually described as an intense tightness or band of pain in the rib cage area. http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/ms-hug-how-ease-pain

There's not really anything you can do until you speak with your neurologist. My impressions aren't going to be very helpful, I'm afraid. Could it be MS? Perhaps. Could it be something else? Perhaps.

Will you be able to meet with your neurologist soon? I know "what and see" is so much easier said than done!