Aa
Could it be MS?
Earlier this year, an urgent care center diagnosed me with an "ear infection" because I was having excruciating pain on my left side. They started me on ear drops, antibiotics and pain meds, but the pain meds wouldn't help. The pain was so bad, that same week I went to the dentist and he couldn't find a thing wrong with my teeth.
I ended up back at the urgent care center, because my ear felt clogged and after nearly a week of antibiotics, the pain wasn't getting any better - so I assumed the ear infection wasn't getting better. They gave me a steroid shot, changed the antibiotic and sent me on my way.
A week later, my ear was still clogged and I went to another dr - they said my ear was red and irritated, put me on a 3rd antibiotic, put me back on ear drops and after that, everything seemed better - except a little lack of hearing - but the urgent care center had told me on visit 2 that "your ear drum may have ruptured, not really sure, it's kinda hard to tell" - I assumed that was where the pain was coming from and the lack of hearing.
A month and a half later - I had excruciating pain on the left side of my head again - just like before except so much worse - if I could have - I would have torn off the side of my head. Went to a different dentist and he found nothing wrong with the teeth at all. Went to my reg dr and she told me I had Trigeminal Neuralgia - cause by damage from the swelling of the ear infection. She sent me to an ENT to make sure there was no residule ear infection and then plans to start me on seizure meds.
I went to the ENT - he told me - after lots of questions and an exam - I never had an ear infection. He said it was the neuralgia from the beginning. He and I figured out some more symptoms I am having - tingling in lower legs, feet, forearms, hands, head, lately the shoulder blade area of my back. My eye went spastic on me - I looked down and it was like a rubber band pulled and released and my eye was moving so fast. I had white flashes in that same eye. My vision goes blurry - both eyes - just for a couple of mins at a time. When I put my chin to my chest - it pulls through my spine and burns a little. I am so tired all the time - I work retail - so I work hard, but sometimes I just don't even want to walk cause I just feel so drained.
He said he was going to recommend to the PCP to do an MRI, because it seems neurological. Reading around, to me it seems like it could be MS. Honestly, I'm a little scared to do the MRI because I'm afraid of the results. Afraid it could be MS, and at the same time, afraid that it won't be and noone will be able to diagnose what's wrong with me.
I am a 35 yo female that is looking for answers and waiting for my MRI to be scheduled. Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.
I ended up back at the urgent care center, because my ear felt clogged and after nearly a week of antibiotics, the pain wasn't getting any better - so I assumed the ear infection wasn't getting better. They gave me a steroid shot, changed the antibiotic and sent me on my way.
A week later, my ear was still clogged and I went to another dr - they said my ear was red and irritated, put me on a 3rd antibiotic, put me back on ear drops and after that, everything seemed better - except a little lack of hearing - but the urgent care center had told me on visit 2 that "your ear drum may have ruptured, not really sure, it's kinda hard to tell" - I assumed that was where the pain was coming from and the lack of hearing.
A month and a half later - I had excruciating pain on the left side of my head again - just like before except so much worse - if I could have - I would have torn off the side of my head. Went to a different dentist and he found nothing wrong with the teeth at all. Went to my reg dr and she told me I had Trigeminal Neuralgia - cause by damage from the swelling of the ear infection. She sent me to an ENT to make sure there was no residule ear infection and then plans to start me on seizure meds.
I went to the ENT - he told me - after lots of questions and an exam - I never had an ear infection. He said it was the neuralgia from the beginning. He and I figured out some more symptoms I am having - tingling in lower legs, feet, forearms, hands, head, lately the shoulder blade area of my back. My eye went spastic on me - I looked down and it was like a rubber band pulled and released and my eye was moving so fast. I had white flashes in that same eye. My vision goes blurry - both eyes - just for a couple of mins at a time. When I put my chin to my chest - it pulls through my spine and burns a little. I am so tired all the time - I work retail - so I work hard, but sometimes I just don't even want to walk cause I just feel so drained.
He said he was going to recommend to the PCP to do an MRI, because it seems neurological. Reading around, to me it seems like it could be MS. Honestly, I'm a little scared to do the MRI because I'm afraid of the results. Afraid it could be MS, and at the same time, afraid that it won't be and noone will be able to diagnose what's wrong with me.
I am a 35 yo female that is looking for answers and waiting for my MRI to be scheduled. Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your responses and support.
All I know of the clot so far - is that it is behind the sinuses and "isn't immediately life threatening". The nurse from PCP office is supposed to be setting an appointment for me with a neurologist to discuss treatment plan, she wouldn't go more into it on the phone. I have waited 2 days now for that appointment, even called the nurse once, and she told me that the specialist office has been busy and she has been busy but she'll call as soon as it's scheduled. This office has been really good to me since I started going there 4 years ago, I trust them.
So, either it really isn't life threatening, or they just don't want to tell me I'm screwed. :) I like option #1.
How am I doing? Well, I have to admit, it really isn't that reassuring to me that "it isn't immediately life threatening". To me a blood clot is a blood clot and it's a ticking time bomb. I used to work in a drs office and know of several people that died from them. The fact that I have all the numbness, the blurry vision, pain in my eye (and not sure if this is what has caused the trigeminal neuralgia or if it's just coincidence) and headaches the last couple of days, really has me worried. If you looked at me yesterday, I was a disaster, kind of like a zombie, trying to grasp that I have a blood clot in my brain. Trying not to think, ok - this is my last second alive, no this is my last second alive, no this is my last second alive. Or, am I going to have a stroke now? Now? Now?
I think I'm finally past that phase and have dealt with the fact that it's there. I didn't cry at all today, even laughed and joked with friends at work. People were asking me today how I was doing and I always said just fine. Some of the managers kept asking me what I was doing at work - I always just answered - I have no where else to be and at least here I can be productive and take my mind off of it. I think they were afraid I'd drop at any minute and don't want to deal with it. He he.
I appreciate all of the concern and will definitely keep you updated - even if it is the wrong forum. :)
All I know of the clot so far - is that it is behind the sinuses and "isn't immediately life threatening". The nurse from PCP office is supposed to be setting an appointment for me with a neurologist to discuss treatment plan, she wouldn't go more into it on the phone. I have waited 2 days now for that appointment, even called the nurse once, and she told me that the specialist office has been busy and she has been busy but she'll call as soon as it's scheduled. This office has been really good to me since I started going there 4 years ago, I trust them.
So, either it really isn't life threatening, or they just don't want to tell me I'm screwed. :) I like option #1.
How am I doing? Well, I have to admit, it really isn't that reassuring to me that "it isn't immediately life threatening". To me a blood clot is a blood clot and it's a ticking time bomb. I used to work in a drs office and know of several people that died from them. The fact that I have all the numbness, the blurry vision, pain in my eye (and not sure if this is what has caused the trigeminal neuralgia or if it's just coincidence) and headaches the last couple of days, really has me worried. If you looked at me yesterday, I was a disaster, kind of like a zombie, trying to grasp that I have a blood clot in my brain. Trying not to think, ok - this is my last second alive, no this is my last second alive, no this is my last second alive. Or, am I going to have a stroke now? Now? Now?
I think I'm finally past that phase and have dealt with the fact that it's there. I didn't cry at all today, even laughed and joked with friends at work. People were asking me today how I was doing and I always said just fine. Some of the managers kept asking me what I was doing at work - I always just answered - I have no where else to be and at least here I can be productive and take my mind off of it. I think they were afraid I'd drop at any minute and don't want to deal with it. He he.
I appreciate all of the concern and will definitely keep you updated - even if it is the wrong forum. :)
I have just read everyone's welcoming posts, and was equally suprised to hear that you had a blood clot. This must be really scary and I feel for you as a relation of mine has just had surgery for two blood clots (which reduced her nerurologicaly symptoms dramatically). Anyhow I wish you the best of luck and in some ways it must feel a relief to know what you are dealing with (and at least it is not MS) However having a blood clot is no joke so take care and let us know how you get on.
with love Sarah
with love Sarah
Malvet,
Like Lu I was going to post something regarding MS but read on down to your post regarding your MRI results. I didn't see that one coming.
So, what is the treatment plan? And, how are you doing emotionally with this? Like Lu said we are here for support. Once a member, always a member.
Take care and let us know how you are doing.
Ren
Like Lu I was going to post something regarding MS but read on down to your post regarding your MRI results. I didn't see that one coming.
So, what is the treatment plan? And, how are you doing emotionally with this? Like Lu said we are here for support. Once a member, always a member.
Take care and let us know how you are doing.
Ren
Wow - just when I was going to write that having MS is not something that you have to be afraid of because for most people it is manageable, you drop that bomb. How are you with this and what does the doctor propose for treatment?
In the meantime you are welcome to hang out here if you need some general support - just because it isn't MS doesn't mean we shoo you out the door.
be well, Lulu
In the meantime you are welcome to hang out here if you need some general support - just because it isn't MS doesn't mean we shoo you out the door.
be well, Lulu
Thanks for the comments. I had my MRI results back in 4 hours. Turns out it isn't MS - I have a blood clot in my brain.
The sensation down your spine when you bend your head down is called Lhermitte's. That is usually a pretty strong signal for MS.
Follow your doctor's recommendations--they need to do an MRI and perhaps other testing, and you need to see a neurologist. You need to try to find out what's wrong. Don't be afraid; take it step by step. It's much better to know what you have (in fact, you will in a way be "lucky" if you do find out, as many people have similar symptoms without ever getting a diagnosis).
Good luck to you!
Follow your doctor's recommendations--they need to do an MRI and perhaps other testing, and you need to see a neurologist. You need to try to find out what's wrong. Don't be afraid; take it step by step. It's much better to know what you have (in fact, you will in a way be "lucky" if you do find out, as many people have similar symptoms without ever getting a diagnosis).
Good luck to you!
Hello, and Welcome to the Forum :)
So do you have an appointment set as of yet??
From what you are describing and the location as well as the intensity of the pain level...It sounds like Trigeminal Neuralgia". Several of us on this Forum (including myself) know oh to well how this feels.
There are 3 branches of the Trigeminal Nerves. One can be affected or all three can be. And the pain is intermittent as you described. There are a couple different meds that can be taken to try and eleviate this pain. But most the time it just kind of takes the edge off and it is still there.
Trigeminal Neuralgia can go hand in hand w/ MS but it can also Not be related at all.
I would say that you see a Neuro and get a full work up of the mimics of MS. And then go from there.
www.neurosurgery.ufl.edu/patients/trigeminal-...
Take Care and keep us updated.
~Tonya
A little clarification as well - the tingling started around January 2010 - it happens occassionally. The first bout of the neuralgia was the beginning of February 2010. The eye was also around the beginning/middle of Feb. The second bout of neuralgia was beginning of May.
Other than that, the blurry vision and tingling on various extremities seems to come and go whenever it wants.
Other than that, the blurry vision and tingling on various extremities seems to come and go whenever it wants.
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