worried i have ms

[worriedms]

Hello -

I a really worried that I am experiencing MS symptoms.  Here's my story and I would like some advice.  In the Summer of 2011 I noticed that my left thigh above my knee and on the side of my thigh was numb.  It lasted for a few weeks and then went away.  In june of this year, the numbness came back and this time I have this terrible burning in the same area - almost like a hot iron pressed against it.  I went to my pcp and he said that he noticed that my left leg was weaker then my right and sent me to have a EMG done.  I went yesterday for the EMG and the tech told me that he thinks its just a pinched nerve.  I am having trouble believing that because not only am I having this numbness and burning, I am exhausted to the point I can't get out of bed and sometimes, while I am walking, I will stumble of drift off to the left.  and then last week, I noticed these black squiggly lines in my right eye.  I feel the doctor isn't helping or giving me any answers.  I almost feel like he thinks it's in my head.  I already have a diagnosed seizure disorder and not sure if it has something to do with that. Can anyone give me any advice?

[worriedms]

Hi Kyle -

I called my PCP today and he was able to get me an appt with the neurologist on Aug 27.  The other strange thing I noticed is that sometimes I have trouble swallowing.  I had an ultrasound of my thyroid and an upper GI last year because the PCP thought maybe it was my thyroid or stomach and those both came back normal.  Have you ever experienced anything like that?  I feel that my PCP is just pushing this all under the cover.  Do you know what kind of blood tests I should ask for? I figured that I would need an MRI.  I'm just hoping that he will order it!  Everything I have been reading about MS really sounds like me....

[kwarendorf]

I'm not a doctor so I can't say whether or not you have MS. Some of your symptoms are similar to ones I experienced during my last relapse, also last summer.

Your PCP is not the person you should be dealing with. Get a referral to a neurologist that specializes in MS. You will likely need all kinds of blood tests to rule out MS mimics such as Lyme disease. You will also likely need MRI's of your brain and c-spine, both done with and without contrast.  Don't be shocked if the possibility of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is mentioned.

The diagnostic process for MS can be long and frustrating, fore warned is fore armed. Ask us lots of questions and we will help as much as we can.

Keep us posted.
Kyle