Can I get MS at 47?

[CaptnJack]

Im not sure how to go here. I dont want to jump on the bandwagon of symptoms, but I find a lot match...I had been in the hospital about 5 years ago for a leg infection (stayed 3 weeks), Anyway got passed that though walking was an issue for a bit, but it got better. Then about 2 years later it got harder to walk, as in my legs didnt have the strength to go on very long. I thought it was related to previous leg issue but didnt seem like it. I then thought it was because I wasnt getting enough leg execise, etc, or being overweight but that wasnt a problem before 2 years ago Now I can only walk for a few minutes before my legs really get fatigued. I can only stand for the same time. Ive tried exercises thinking to build stamina and strength but it doesnt seem to help. I can get around pretty well, but only for a short time. I have night sweats, but was thinking thats just from warm temperatures. I have need to frequently pee, but I figured that was from blood pressure meds. I can see a reason for each of these, but it seems strange that all my symptoms still match up. Im not sure where to go from here. I had bloodwork done very recently and everything came back fine, good cholestrol, thyroid fine, blood sugar well within normal ranges, etc..

[essdipity]

Bilateral vs. symmetrical vs. mirror. All very confusing, and still confusing to me after lo! these many years. What makes it even more puzzling to me is that I started out with more or less symmetrical symptoms, but now they're less so. Or actually, some stuff on one side has gotten worse and some stuff on the other side has also gotten worse, but not the same stuff. And they *still* haven't found any definite spinal lesions, despite my having symptoms that almost certainly are from the spinal cord. Go figure. Also, I have several issues that are not a matter of 'side,' such as bladder, perspiration, and so on.

It seems to me that though there are some absolutes in MS, there aren't very many. That's absolute! Here's an old thread that talks about this sort of thing in detail.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/What-Kinds-of-Symptoms-Dont-Sound-Like-MS/show/856407

ess

[kwarendorf]

Just a note: Bilateral MS symptoms may not be the norm, but they do exist. My initial presenting symptom was bilateral numbness in my feet and lower legs.

[SarahL2491]

I'm not seeing MS either, and you mention your problems being bilateral (both sides) and MS usually picks one side or the other.

Other than that, I totally agree with our other forum members

[jensequitur]

The main problem seems to be fatigue, and MS is usually diagnosed with multi-focal symptoms (in more than one place.) Fatigue can be from many sources, including heart trouble.

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

As others have previously answered......Yes you can!

Though from what you have described, I'm thinking like ess and I don't think it sounds specific enough (or match's up) for MS to be likely, especially when there are so many other more common non-neurological conditions/issues that it could be. MS has many mimics and when you google symptoms, MS will usually come up somewhere because the sx's are so varied.

More often than not, sx's are medically explained by the more common and if as you say, you "can see a reason for each of these" because of prior diagnosis's and medication etc. then the more likely explanation is probably what you already know. I would be first getting my dr to investigate if your previous leg infection, could of caused something like a vascular issue, peripheral neuropathy etc, whilst continuing to loose weight and improve your fitness and general health, 'if' they are still possibly contributing to the problem.  

Cheers........JJ

[essdipity]

You can not only get MS at 47, you can get it at 87, or at least be diagnosed with it. Sometimes people have 'odd' symptoms beforehand for many years, and sometimes they are of relatively recent vintage, but there certainly are cases of diagnosis in the 80s, so don't let age be part of your equation when you are 'only' 47.

Having said that, though, I have to add that from your brief description, MS doesn't seem terribly likely. There are so many other things it could be as well. I do agree that you need a good neurological work-up, if only to eliminate that one possibility.

ess




ess

[kwarendorf]

Hi CnJ-

The answer to your question is yes, and no :-) What I mean is that it is certainly possible to be diagnosed with MS at age 47, but you'd likely have had it from a much younger age.

I was diagnosed at 51 and it was determined that my first MS episode was 20 years earlier! Some of what you describe could be attributed to MS. But it could have many other causes as well. I would suggest that you find an MS specialist and get a complete neurological work up.

Kyle

[cramp_n_mystyle]

Actually, people have been diagnosed with MS,in their 60's,due to the fact that it just wasn't found earlier.

Have you seen a neurologist yet?!There are other diseases that mimic MS,so you would need to be seen by a specialist that can determine just what is causing your symptoms.