Could I have MS

[jman1999]

I have had hand numbness for 2 years now; also right side of face is numb.  My legs are heavy and weak; I have seen the Neuro and had  a negative MRI (Brain/Cervical) Aug 09.  I have been to an opthomologist and he told me that I didn't have any Optic Nerve damage but that didn't mean I didn't have MS.  He treats several patients with MS and most of them don't have the Optic Nerve Damage.  I also get what I believe is the MS Hug; I feel like someone has me in a bear hug and they just keep squeezing (very painful).  It goes all the way around my torso; and it hurts to touch my rib cage.  I have been tested for Lyme, Lupus, RA and Fibro.   Anyone have suggestions?

[anon07072023]

Good luck. A couple of my lesions are in my t-spine and the weak / heavy legs and the MS hug are some of the symptoms that I have.  

[jman1999]

I have asked the doctors about doing that and they didn't seem to think it was necessary.  I have been seeing different doctors here; my primary was moved to another section of the clinic and I couldn't see her.  I have seen 4 other doctors since she left; she is back now so I scheduled an appt with her on 10 Jan.  She listens to me and takes any suggestions I have serious; I will ask about the T-spine.  Thanks

[anon07072023]

You've had a c-spine and a brain MRI, but what about a t-spine (thoracic) MRI?  With your symptoms of an MS hug and weak and heavy legs, you could have a lesion or several lesions in your thoracic spine.

-Kelly

[jman1999]

The last Doctor I saw just chalked it up to Chronic pain and put me on Elavil.  It seemed to work for a while but I am having trouble again with the pain.  I don't know what strength the Tesla was; sorry.  I do have some disc protrusion in the L5-S1 area and received 3 shots back in Feb/Mar/Apr.  I was given corticosteroids 2 different times for other issues and all the pain and numbness went away.  That leads me to believe there is inflammation somewhere in my body; they just can't figure out where and what it is.  

[jensequitur]

If you've been evaluated for MS, and they've found nothing, at least they can treat your symptoms.  Talk to your neurologist or regular doctor about muscle relaxers, and see if they help the painful squeeze around your torso.  

You've had a brain and cervical MRI - do you know at what strength Tesla?  (Most machines are 1.5T, some are 3T.)  With MS hug symptoms, you might have an injury or lesion in your spine.