Differentiating MS Sx from other issues

[cjtmn]

For those experienced with this illness, do you have a process that you take to help you differentiate MS-related issues from other issues? I've been experiencing severe pain in my right foot (always my right side! *sigh*), and trying to decide if it warrants a separate doctor visit. I've never been a doctor-going person, so I don't even have a regular doc that I see (just an OB/GYN that I force myself to see every other year).

Anyways, I'm wondering if it is best to assume it is NOT from MS & check out serious aches & pains with a regular doc? What do you do?

Thanks,
Cheryl

[cjtmn]

Thanks, as always, for the sage advice. I so appreciate this group!

[rendean]

I second Ess' route to take when learning what might be MS related and what might be caused by something else. Unless, of course, you have a physiotherapist you can see as aspentoo does.

I for one, have to have my primary care doc or neuro write a prescription for me to go see a physical therapist.  My PT does do a wonderful job with gait assesment and pain related to such things but they are not experts at all neuro pain, at least in my experience. And, I might say  that I have  a superb PT who specializes in all things neuro.

Ess is on the right track! If your doc sends you to a PT for pain mangement and assessment , then all the better.

Rendean

Rendean

[essdipity]

I'd try the least complicated route first. For instance, if a couple of regular strength Motrin make pain go away, it's not likely due to MS, as these OTCs are not good for nerve pain. And if you're not feeling tightness or cramping along with pain, then the probability that spasticity is the ultimate cause becomes much less. Should you get midriff pain, first make sure it's not a digestive issue. This could be the MS hug, but it could also be something much simpler. And so on.

However, there are times MS causes pain in a very indirect way. Foot pain could indeed be muscular and amenable to aspirin, etc., if MS is making you hold your foot or walk unnaturally. When this sort of thing happens, though, the underlying problem will always come back. In time you will get to know what is what :-(

So for things you can't figure out on your own, please do see a doctor. Having MS means having a primary doctor, even if you haven't generally had one in the past. They are nearly always easier to see than your neuro, and can suggest remedies for you. If nothing obvious works, your neuro is the next step, and you will be able to tell him or her what has been tried, thus clearing away a good bit of confusion. It's even possible that going this way would allow your neuro to prescribe something without seeing you. This could save a lot of time and pain.

[aspen2]

For something like that, I would tend to see my physiotherapist.  They are more-well-versed than most doctors in areas of pain, skeletal and muscle issues, etc.  They will also assess your gait since an assymetric gait will cause other issues.

I end up with a lot more pain /injury on my weak side, and do a fair number of physio exercises to keep things working.  My doctor would probably just send me for an x-ray, which most of the time would show nothing :).

If the PT suggests you need to see a doctor, then I would see one.