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Worried about MS
24 yo F. 2.5 yrs ago string of traumatic events occurred in my life within a short period of time.Not sure if any connection with my physical symptoms.Also prior to these events I was happy,outgoing,excelled academically,and athletic.I am definitely a Type A personality.In the months following the traumatic events I began noticing a change in my vision.I had many more floaters in my eyes.I also began to experience double/blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light.Other symptoms I noticed were lightheadedness,tingling extremeties, fatigue, extremeties "falling asleep" very fast,feeling uncoordinated and unbalanced,ringing in ears,severe headaches, difficulty concentrating,and trouble with thinking of words while speaking.When walking it felt difficult to pick up my legs.Almost like I was walking in slow motion.I began to get panicy and obsess about all of these symptoms and started researching them online.MS seemed to be a fit.My anxiety, panic, depression increased. It got so bad that I had to move home from college and couldn't function.After seeing my primary care doctor who prescribed xanax for me,2 opthamologists,1 neurologist,1 neuro-opthamologist,and an MRI I was assured I didn't have MS or an eye problem. I was told that everything I was experiencing was normal and I was extremely sensitive to my bodily sensations.I started Paxil and saw a therapist to help treat the anxiety and depression. The eye symptoms never improved, however the other symptoms did slightly. After about 1 1/2 years of being on the Paxil I weaned off. After about 3 months I started noticing my symptoms flare up again.The panic and severe anxiety over having MS started again.I switched doctors and my new doctor sent me for extensive MRI's of my brain & spinal cord w/ dye,complete bloodwork,and I saw 2 neuroopthamologists.The same symptoms were present as the first time plus tingly/numbness in tongue.No affect on speech.All the test results came back normal and the doctors told me again I was suffering from anxiety.My doctor switched me from Paxil to Lexapro.Started w/dizzy spells.Meds did help calm MS fears.Eye symptoms still present but others lessened.After 9 months of being on the Lexapro & seeing another therapist I dropped meds from 10 to 5mg.Dizziness got worse,w/ anxiety building over symptoms.I began feeling dizzy all the time and worried meds were to blame so I came off.One week w/out Lex & return to a full state of anxiety/panic!Symptoms more intense.In addition to all other symptoms my L leg felt weak w/ body chills.I'm constantly researching online & worry over ALS&MS.My PCP feels I'm ok and said no more MRIs.Complete bloodwork fine again.Back on the Lex 10mg for 1 month now& anxiety/panic slowly improving.L leg wekness,resistance when walking,& diziness improving.Eye probs still present.Obssess w/ finding new symptoms to lead docs to dx.Fr&fa think I'm crazy for not believing docs.Worry MS not present earlier on MRI,but would now.Could this all be anxi
I have been worried for two months that I have MS. I had MRI, VEP and BAER tests. All results were normal. I have been to thousands of websites researching. I bet I spend 4 hours per day.
As far as symptoms, I literally developed all but two of my symptoms after I read about MS. I had some dizziness/imbalance and achy legs. But then when I found the MS symptom list, I developed tingling, twitching, muscle spasms, eye pain etc.
I have had a few ms symptoms in past (tingling 8 years ago, trachea spasm 4 years ago, brief eye pain)
Even though I acknowledge that most symptoms occurred after reading about them, I still believe it is a coincidence and that I would have developed them anyway.
My left foot has been tingling for a week. I'm going to see my neuro again this week and hope to get a second MRI. I might also get a lumbar puncture.
Oh, depression is my other symptom.
My wife and neuro both think I'm crazy. I'm convinced that I have MS.
As far as symptoms, I literally developed all but two of my symptoms after I read about MS. I had some dizziness/imbalance and achy legs. But then when I found the MS symptom list, I developed tingling, twitching, muscle spasms, eye pain etc.
I have had a few ms symptoms in past (tingling 8 years ago, trachea spasm 4 years ago, brief eye pain)
Even though I acknowledge that most symptoms occurred after reading about them, I still believe it is a coincidence and that I would have developed them anyway.
My left foot has been tingling for a week. I'm going to see my neuro again this week and hope to get a second MRI. I might also get a lumbar puncture.
Oh, depression is my other symptom.
My wife and neuro both think I'm crazy. I'm convinced that I have MS.
I have been worried for two months that I have MS. I had MRI, VEP and BAER tests. All results were normal. I am still convinced that I have MS. I have been to thousands of websites researching. I bet I spend 4 hours per day. I know that there is a chance that you can have a normal MRI and still have MS. Believe me, I have looked at all of the statistics.
As far as symptoms, I literally developed all but two of my symptoms after I read about MS. I had some dizziness/imbalance and achy legs. But then when I found the MS symptom list, I developed tingling, twitching, muscle spasms, eye pain etc.
The thing that convinces me that I do have MS is 1) I had tingling in hands 8 years ago for a few weeks. I chalked that up as an MS episode. 2) had a weird spasm in trachea a few years ago ...chalked that up to ms, and 3) have had a few visual problems and some brief eye pain in the past....transient. All of these symptoms happened before I read about MS.
Even though I acknowledge that most symptoms occurred after reading about them, I still believe it is a coincidence and that I would have developed them anyway.
My left foot has been tingling for a week. I'm going to see my neuro again this week and hope to get a second MRI. I might also get a lumbar puncture.
Oh, depression is my other symptom.
My wife and neuro both think I'm crazy. I'm convinced that I have MS.
As far as symptoms, I literally developed all but two of my symptoms after I read about MS. I had some dizziness/imbalance and achy legs. But then when I found the MS symptom list, I developed tingling, twitching, muscle spasms, eye pain etc.
The thing that convinces me that I do have MS is 1) I had tingling in hands 8 years ago for a few weeks. I chalked that up as an MS episode. 2) had a weird spasm in trachea a few years ago ...chalked that up to ms, and 3) have had a few visual problems and some brief eye pain in the past....transient. All of these symptoms happened before I read about MS.
Even though I acknowledge that most symptoms occurred after reading about them, I still believe it is a coincidence and that I would have developed them anyway.
My left foot has been tingling for a week. I'm going to see my neuro again this week and hope to get a second MRI. I might also get a lumbar puncture.
Oh, depression is my other symptom.
My wife and neuro both think I'm crazy. I'm convinced that I have MS.
I almost want to cry when I read all the posts about hypochondria. For the last year I have had tingling in my upper left back. It started 3 months postpartum. Had mri of brain and spine and everything was normal. I was still convinced I had ms. It consumed me for a year. I went on Paxil Cr finally for a few months and hated the way I felt while on it so went off of it. That was two weeks ago, and I feel so strange the last few days. It's hard to explain, but when I move my this zap like wave of nervousness and like something in my head isn't quite right. This sounds ridiculous but it's the only way I can describe. I am so sick of worrying about my health. Over the last few years, I have had breast cancer, leukemia, ms, aneurysm, brain tumor, had the beginning of several heart attacks, lupus, bone cancer, and many more. So I have thought.
I want this to stop. I have an 11 month old daughter and wonderful husband and really am so very happy other than these insane thoughts I have about my health. I'm still so worried about something being wrong with me because of the tingling. I also check my lymph nodes several times a day, freak when I am bruised more than usual, it goes on and on. I just want to enjoy my life and my precious baby. I'm so terrified of the thought of not seeing her grow up and I know by doing this I am missing out on so much happiness. I'm sorry this is so long but I'm just typing everything as it comes to my Paxil withdrawal such as the symptom I mentioned. It would make me feel alot better if someone has. Thanks so much.
I want this to stop. I have an 11 month old daughter and wonderful husband and really am so very happy other than these insane thoughts I have about my health. I'm still so worried about something being wrong with me because of the tingling. I also check my lymph nodes several times a day, freak when I am bruised more than usual, it goes on and on. I just want to enjoy my life and my precious baby. I'm so terrified of the thought of not seeing her grow up and I know by doing this I am missing out on so much happiness. I'm sorry this is so long but I'm just typing everything as it comes to my Paxil withdrawal such as the symptom I mentioned. It would make me feel alot better if someone has. Thanks so much.
Hey All I am 25 year M. Iused to be the most interpersonal social butterfly (of course in a Male butterfly way!) and just woke up with a weird, anxious feeling accompanied by a weird heart beat, i tried to breath and relax but couldn't get myself to sleep. it has now been six months and I haven't been able to work, for this whole period. I was actually OS in london at the time I experienced it, and tried to ride it out, thinking I was mentally solid, and ended up having to come back home. I was convinced i had a heart disorder of some kind and had Holters and echos done by some of Londons' finest cardiologists. All came up healthy. I was convinced that, something wasn't showing and have now developed GAD generalised anxiety disorder and would like to say to all of you that it is great to not be the only one!!!! I really beleive that once we identify our fears, identify what we want to achieve in life and trust specialists - we will come out of this 100 times stronger, knowing who we really are and knowing what we want without straying of course for the sake of being concerned about how we are perceived by individuals and society.
Wow...have you ever made me feel better. I am so glad that I found this forum when I did. I actually thought that I had ALS at one point last spring as well. As soon as the neurologist said that he didn't see anything wrong with me, I surfed the net and (like you said) found another disease that seemed to match my symptoms - or perceived symptoms. I even had myself believing that I was HIV positive!!! Why do we do this to ourselves?? It is torture and the fear of it is worse then actually having the disease. I think in my case I REALLY want to be in control of my life and if something is wrong with my health that I cannot control, I freak out. I am seeing a therapist, trying to deal with these obsessive negative thoughts and anxiety over my health and it is helping a bit. I am also on Zoloft but don't really want to be as I feel like the medication may be causing side effects which in turn causes me MORE anxiety. Anyway, thanks for your reply, I really appreciate your support. As I said before, it is good to know that I am not alone.
Jodene
Jodene
Hi Jodene,
I know what you are going through. Last January I started getting these scary symptoms and after Googling the net for explanations I was certain I had MS. Weakness (perceived) in arms and legs, very tired legs, slight internal tremor in legs, tingling, fatigue etc. My neuro told me it is nothing to worry about, nothing neurological going on. Big relief..for a week.. Finally I went and had MRI of the brain and EMG-test taken. Everything normal. The vicious thing about this circle is once you are convinced enough you do NOT have say MS..you start looking for other diseases..such as ALS..and there you are. It really is a vicious circle.
You are scared of MS and maybe I can help at least a little bit by telling you two things:
1) My neurologist told me MS almost always leaves marks in your brain ( 95 % of cases he said ). So if your MRI of brain is normal that is a VERY very good sign.
2) The reason doctors usually start to look for MS is COMPLETE, total weakness of leg or legs. Not perceived weakness = your legs FEEL weak. It is total, real weakness we are talking about. My friend has MS and the way it began for her was she suddenly lost all power, ALL POWER in her right leg for hours. She could not walk. She could not stand. It was not perceived weakness. And I heard this is very common, very often MS starts like this.
I had huge anxiety and fear for ALS for months last spring. I know what it is like. Important thing for you now is once you get rid of the MS scare and I'm sure you will..leave Internet alone..no Googling for diseases..otherwise you will end up being scared for another disease. And IT is a vicious circle if anything. All the best to you in your recovery :-)
I know what you are going through. Last January I started getting these scary symptoms and after Googling the net for explanations I was certain I had MS. Weakness (perceived) in arms and legs, very tired legs, slight internal tremor in legs, tingling, fatigue etc. My neuro told me it is nothing to worry about, nothing neurological going on. Big relief..for a week.. Finally I went and had MRI of the brain and EMG-test taken. Everything normal. The vicious thing about this circle is once you are convinced enough you do NOT have say MS..you start looking for other diseases..such as ALS..and there you are. It really is a vicious circle.
You are scared of MS and maybe I can help at least a little bit by telling you two things:
1) My neurologist told me MS almost always leaves marks in your brain ( 95 % of cases he said ). So if your MRI of brain is normal that is a VERY very good sign.
2) The reason doctors usually start to look for MS is COMPLETE, total weakness of leg or legs. Not perceived weakness = your legs FEEL weak. It is total, real weakness we are talking about. My friend has MS and the way it began for her was she suddenly lost all power, ALL POWER in her right leg for hours. She could not walk. She could not stand. It was not perceived weakness. And I heard this is very common, very often MS starts like this.
I had huge anxiety and fear for ALS for months last spring. I know what it is like. Important thing for you now is once you get rid of the MS scare and I'm sure you will..leave Internet alone..no Googling for diseases..otherwise you will end up being scared for another disease. And IT is a vicious circle if anything. All the best to you in your recovery :-)
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