How do you determine the "onset" of symptoms?

[risnerrose]

I've read several articles that refer to the onset of symptoms, but I'm unsure of what that means.  MS became a possibility for me just over a year ago, with the past few years being spent with many a specialist (cardiologist, rheumatologist, neurologist, etc.).  I can actually recall neurological symptoms that trace back almost 18 years, with many years in between . . . but they never worried me enough to go to the doctor.  So would I consider my onset of symptoms to be 18 years ago, or just a few years ago?  

Sherry

[risnerrose]

I actually have an appointment (mid- Sep.) with the ortho that did my shoulder surgery, because of a lovely Baker's cyst in my knee.  I'll make it a point to ask him about possible connections.  I did notice when I was having all of the other bizarre nerve symptoms, my shoulder completely quit hurting, but the pain returned as everything else calmed down.  (I suspected that my brain could only cope with so many signals and the shoulder pain was "old news" at the time.)

[Fluffysmom]

I've had both of my shoulders operated on, an my pain came back, too.  Latest MRI shows a moderately hooked acromion in the left shoulder, that was done in 2001.  The surgeon I saw said it shouldn't be causing my pain.  My right shoulder, done in late 2005, is bugging me again.  

I don't know if it's just lousy luck, bad jeans, or some neurological issue.  My whole right arm is hurting; my MS specialist noted that I hold it funny when I walk.  I'll see what her chart notes say. She thinks I have small vessel ischemic disease (all those little brain lesions), which I don't think fits me or my other symptoms.

Anyway, if you find out that our shoulder pain could be connected to MS, let me know!  :o)  I've worked hard on posture, physical therapy, etc.  

Best of luck,

Kathy

[risnerrose]

I zoomed in on your shoulder pain.  Several years ago I woke with a crick in my neck, that ended up as severe shoulder pain.  After dealing with the pain for three years, I had surgery for a hooked acromion - which provided immediate relief . . . for about 4 weeks.  The pain returned, but not as severe as before.  Do you think shoulder pain can be caused by MS?  I have been tossing that possibility around for a while now.

Sherry

[JENNIEO]

This is what I find myself thinking about a LOT now that I have been diagnosed.  Trying to figure out when it started.  I know that I had vertigo more than 10 years ago.  Took antivert for something like 10 days and it went away.  I've also had recurring back problems - sciatica or sciatica-like pain for many years and the same with my right shoulder.  I actually used to call my right shoulder my  'warning system' because when it started to hurt really bad it usually meant that I was about to come down with a bug. I had mono twice, with the second time being at 40 years of age... Ten years ago I had a bout of swollen ankles for no reason - and about 3 years ago, it came back and I've been on lasix ever since - I've had varicose veins stripped and also injected (10 years ago or so).... and this is what I remember without consulting my records.  I am planning on still doing that even though I was able to sketch out a timeline - I know I may have the years wrong on some of these and want to review my records and make notes just for my own info if nothing else.

Just as a side-note - I'm travelling to TX on Monday  and will be there til Thursday  for work- when I get back I will start my copaxone injections (they arrived yesterday).  I'm anxious to get started, see how it goes and hopefully slow down this barrage of symptoms I've been experiencing lately.

Peace -
Jennie

[Quixotic1]

In terms of looking far back into one's medical history, I think it would depend on the type of symptom one had.  Recurrent episodes of dizziness, but without other symptoms, could be MS.  However, dizziness is so common in the general population and has so many causes that a neurologist might be reluctant to include it.  In a recent review of the reasons adults seek medical attention, dizziness was a top contender.

A numb toe could have been the result of an isolated nerve injury to the side of the foot.  6 months is about the length of time it would take for the nerve to regenerate that distance.  I think that would not be included.

Some single, isolated symptoms might be included even if they were in the very distant past.  These might include major problems like optic neuritis or bouts of limb weakness or paralysis.  But, mostly the neuro would be looking for attacks of mixed symptoms that would be more clearly characteristic of MS.  Of course, in discounting things it's always a judgment call.

Erin - there is no scientific evidence that white bread will bring on either MS or a relapse.  There is plenty of nutritional evidence that it isn't great stuff, but that is all.

Sherry - Well, the Here Today, Gone Tomorrow is actually the definition of the disease.  Few other diseases act this way.  The exact triggers for the immune system are still not completely understood.  The answer is sort of the child's retort of, "Cause it is!  That's why."

:))  quix

[risnerrose]

It really makes me wonder why things can stay at bay for years, and then you're hit with a "whirlwind".  I don't understand how you can be symptomatic one day and "fine" the next.

[AmishErin]

I was Diagnosed in January of 03... at the time it seemed like my symptoms came on in a whirlwind... I had thought that the onset of my symptoms were in the summer of 2002... now that I have had the disease for a little bit longer and understand how random it can be I don't just attribute the big overwhelming symptoms to MS but also the small odd ones... I think my onset began in 2001, but I remember a time in 1995 when my baby toe went to sleep for 6 months.and didn't go away when  I wore  different shoes... (I thought it was a cheap pair of steel toed boots that caused my toe woes)

Reading articles about symptom onset can help to figure out the why... My problem seems to be that all of the articles that I read about MS that seem to really look like they will trully do some good have something to do with giving up white bread...I stopped reading those articles seeing as white bread is my favorite food... I don't know how that relates.... I think i just really want to eat toast..... so anyways I stick to the 2001 onset answer but 1995 is always in the back of my head...

Erin

[Lulu54]

I'll be waiting to hear the answers to this one too- I know I was checked for mitral valve prolapse as the cause of my dizziness and light headedness over 20 years ago.  That wasn't the problem - didn't have that physical problem.  The dizziness comes and goes - and has all that time.  This July was the first mri I have had.  hmmmm.......

Well?

Laura