Could it be MS?

[IsntSheLovely]

Hi, I don't know if I'm posting this question in the right thread, but I'm just desperate right now, so I would really appreciate any kind of answer.

About a year ago after a bad cold/flu/infection of some sort, and great emotional distress, I started having these extremely weird symptoms:

- My left knee cap suddenly became stiff and although I could still walk perfectly, it just felt very weird. The condition became worse in the course of the year, it's spread to my whole thigh. My left leg feels weird, heavy, at times I feel like I can't walk the way I used to, like I'm maybe a bit off balance? This happens on and off. I noticed these problems occur when I put a lot of pressure on my leg, like go running, for example.
- I also developed a very fine tremor about the same time the problem with my left leg started. At first it wasn't present all the time, now it's always there and has increased in intensity a bit. It also seems it's a bit more noticeable in my left hand. Now I have very very fine tremor all over my body, not just my hands.
- I have noticed lately that my eyesight is a bit blurry, especially in my right eye, although I got my eyes checked a few months ago and they said everything was fine.
- I have fasciculations in my toes, numbness in my feet, constant muscle twitching all over my body and face.
- I feel pressure in my head at times, especially at the sides and at the back of the head (at the neck).
- I feel drowsy (as if I were a bit drunk), I have fatigue, I have great sleep disturbances (nightmares, screaming, I stop breathing, I get up in the middle of the night and start walking around crazily).
- I am also anxious, slightly depressed and paranoid, have trouble breathing...

My question is: could it be MS (is it possible that the same leg - my left one - would feel weird, on and off?) or could it be anxiety, or maybe another neurological condition mimicking MS?

Thank you from the heart for any imput you might have...


This discussion is related to Do I have MS?.

[IsntSheLovely]

Thank you for your kind response!! From what you wrote, I guess I'm not experiencing fasciculations, but rather ticks or muscle spasms. Additionally, my last two toes and soles of my feet go numb quite often. I'm scared, but I have an appointment with a neurologist next week, so fingers crossed all of this is benign!!!

Thanks again and God bless!!!

[Soggymoggy]

Hi there,

If you are experiencing fasciculations, you need to ask your doctor for an MRI scan to cheque for plaques on the brain that would indicate MS.  Before you do that, make sure that what you are experiencing is true fasciculation; the muscle movement will be clearly visible through the skin, will be "waves" following one direction, and will be rhythmic - it is easy to mistake simple muscle spasms for fasciculation if you are expecting to see it.  Fasciculation can have many benign causes, but can be an indicator of motor neuron disease so it needs to be checked out.

Even if you are not sure that you have true fasciculation, with everything else you describe it sounds like you should have a scan anyway to put your mind at ease. Best of luck with it, and let us know how you get on.