Speech Problems and MS

[manytingles]

Could you please comment as to speech problems and MS.  Is it common for these to occur in early MS?  For the past year, I have experienced on/off tingling in both sides of chest/back/shoulders, on/off vertigo when walking (feels like the floor is tilting a bit), and occassional weakness in ankles (lasted for only 1 day). For one day I had a buzzing right where my eyebrows meet, but that only lasted 1 day and then disappeared.  

Recently, I feel that I slur my speech on occassion.  No one else has noticed (I've asked) but I feel that I'm mumbling.  Can this be due to anxiety?

I've had MRI, MRI-C, Evoked --- all say no MS.

Is it unusual for someone to have transient tingling, transient vertigo, transient ankle weakness and occassional subjective speech slurring in early MS?  

I am 24 yo M with no other health problems and no drug use.

[sammigirl00]

I am in your same situation.  If you want a pen pal.  Email me...kay_randy***@****

[Enhanced Lesions on White Matter]

I had pulsatte tinnitus in my ear and it was driving me crazy. Went to an ENT he ordered full MRI and MRA to rule out blocked carotid artery (along with other tests) and came out with
"you have MS lesions etc.." After waiting for six months I did other MRI's and I had a few more lesions and they were enhanced. I waited another 6 months and had 1 more and it was enhanced. I finally agreed with them and started on Copaxone. After learing about MS and seeing all the specialist I realized I had all those symptoms but in a very minor way. It was never enough to cause worry especially in my busy life/schedule. I am glad that my ENT was so thorough. Had he not been, I would have not had this diagnosis until something bad happened. We figure I was dx'd about 8 years ahead of schedule. Since on copaxone (two years now) I have had no new lesions, none of my old ones are enhanced and all of my symptoms are gone except memory problems.
If I am having a flaire up (increased of current symptoms) its last for a few minutes to hours. I have learned how to adjust my life to live a life with MS and its no problem. Just like a diet, once you know what to do you incorporate it.
I am lucky, I was downgraded to benign MS and hopefully will remain there

Good luck to you

[manytingles]

How did you find out that you had MS?

DO you have the symptoms on/off day by day?

[Enhanced Lesions on White Matter]

Just wanted you to know that I have MS and have those symptoms. I am early stages of MS. From what I have learned when I was trying to prove it was not MS, fatigue/heat/stress/ etc.. all can cause those conditions. Even allergies. If you do have MS I hope you have access to good health care. I know my life is different because of my early diagnosis and the therapy I am on. The fact is, just knowing what you have an how to live makes the long term difference. Good luck and dont wear yourself down!

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Just about anything goes with MS. Depending on what area happens to be involved in the brain, you can get various types of neurological symptoms. So yes, you can certainly get slurred speech or tingling or vertigo anytime in the course of MS if that's where the plaque is. In your case, however, the normal results of what sounds like an extensive workup for MS should be somewhat reassuring that you do not have the disease. Nothing in medicine or life for that matter is 100%, but a normal neuro exam, MRI, EP, routine lab studies point away from the diagnosis of MS. If it is still in question, an LP may be helpful. Otherwise, if everything else comes out to be normal, then stress/anxiety is a consideration. Hope that helps.