Could this me MS?

[My4girls]

I've been having a hard time with my hands, to the point that I was putting up cupboard doors and I had to force my hand open to let go of the screwdriver and my left arm feels so heavy and it doesn't want to cooperate. I've also been feeling like someone has been poking me with a needle all over my body, arms, legs, neck, everywhere. And I had a burning sensation in the back of my left upper arm. Other symptoms that I've had are:

- muscles twitching
-tingling & numbness in left leg, left arm and right hand
-sensation of someone poking me with a needle all over my body
- sharp pain in upper left arm & right side of neck
- electric shock like pain under left foot and left upper arm
- left upper arm feels dead
-hard time walking at times
- the other day the numbness started on my left foot and crept up my leg slowly, like I was putting on a sock and went up to above my knee and then went away.
- sometimes I have a hard time remembering things
- hard time concentrating

Does anyone know what this might be? I have had some bloodwork done CBC, ESR, glucose, all normal. I had an EMG a few weeks ago and the nerves are fine, but he said that there is crackling in the muscles, what I mean by that is that usually when they check the muscles you don't hear anything, but we could some static like sound. He said that it wasn't normal, but wouldn't elaborate.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, please can someone help me? Please?

Thanks in advance for all the help. And yes I am waiting to go for an MRI, but I have to see the neurologist first, family dr can't send me for one and I called the neurologists office today and they tell me that the waiting list to see her is 11 months, but they put me on the cancelation list and I'm #5, but was told that it could still be a while.  I don't know how much longer I can go like this without knowing what is going on.

Can someone help me please?

Thanks.

[bearsmum]

How did you go at the Neurologist?  Hope all went well for you.  They have been trying for over 4 years now to work out what is wrong with me but after my last flare up, they are fairly convinced that it is MS.  I am seeing the best neurologist in Australia on the 4th December and he specialises in MS.
As for itsallinmyhead, I would be getting another referral for a different neurologist if I were you.  Something seems to be amiss here and I feel that you should be pushing more for better service.
Best of luck to you both
bearsmum

[itsallinmyhead1969]

I have had like symptoms for several years myself.  I can't fold clothes, do dishes or many other household tasks for very long.  Doing my or my daughters' hair is very difficult, rolling up car windows is awful.  Walking has become a horrible chore.  All the X-rays, MRIs and Cat scans were normal.  I had a positive Lupus test, but then a negative one followed so they said I was negative.  After which they told me I had fibormyalgia.  The neurologist didn't seem to think there was much wrong with me.  They did a nerve conduction study on my arms.  They stuck my arms with like 30 needles in each and said the nerves reacted accordingly.  Since that time, my left hand has been numb for 4 months.  My throat and my left cheek have gone numb twice.  My right foot and just above my right angle are numb and just above my right thigh.  I  can barely see most of the time.  I have to blink repeatedly to bring anything in to focus.  I had an awful buzzing start in my head 4 months ago that I hear above everything else.  All I get from my physician is that is in my head.  I sure hope that you have better luck than I have had.  My treatment is through the veterans administration.  They probably gave me whatever I have with all of the immunizations they forced on us.  I wish I had some better insurance.  Good luck.

[My4girls]

Thanks everyone.  Before these symptoms started, about 6 years ago I would get dizzy spells to the point that I would pass out.  At that time they did MRI's, CAT scans and all kind of blood work and they couldn't find anything.  I got pregnant and things got better.  Now all these new symptoms started.

I can't believe it.  I got a call from the neurologist's office this morning.  After I talked to the secretary yesterday, she showed my referral sheet to the doctor and was told to make me an appointment.  I go see her on August 22nd.  I'm still in shock, I'm happy it's so quick, but scared at the same time that it is so quick.  I'm not sure what my dr put on the sheet, but I'm guessing it's not good since I got in so quick.

[Heartshome]

I have been waiting for a diagnosis for the past four years. I have many of the same symptoms you describe. It is a very long process working with Neurologists, especially if they don't feel that your symptoms are severe enough to work you in quickly.

I know it's scary, but try to be patient and see if you can get in with another doctor sooner if possible!

[Tahiri_Veila]

A lot of your symptoms are found in MS patients as well as other things.  It is a good thing that you are going into a neurologist.  They all have long waiting lists.  You could try getting into a different one if you would like.

I would like to tell you that you are going to have to be very patient.  I have been searching for answer for 2.5 years and still don't have a diagnosis.  I have been lucky as they have limited it down to 2.  MS and Fibromyalgia.  Many here on the forum have been searching for much longer.  I understand that it is awful not knowing exactly what is going on.  I hate it especially those days that I can hardly get out of bed because of pain.  I really understand.  

Hopefully others will have suggestions for you.

Tahiri