Aa
I NEED HELP GUYS!!!!
Ok, here's my situation----for quite some time now, I've been going to my Dr because I've been having a TERRIBLE time with dizziness, lose of balance, shaky legs, EXTREMELY bad headaches, irractic heartrates/beats, chest pain, TERRIBLE neck pain,(recently), bladder problems and a few other symptoms/complaints.--He's done 2 Sleep studies as the 1st one indicated I stopped breathing too many times, and of course my heart rate drops.---After a recent MRI, my Dr said the results most likely indicated MS---Time frame of my symptoms, I would have to say has been 2-3 years, if not longer, (with "quite" time in between).-----But now, very steadyand getting more debillitating.---Of course now, I'm scared (even though I am somewhat releived to have an idea of what is going on.------But, PLEASE GUYS tell me what I'm up against!!!!--What can I expect to happen????---PLEASE be honest. I sorta know how debillitating the disease is,---I'm only 43 and need to know what to expect.--For myself and my family.---So, any thing you guys can tell me would be greatly appreciated!
Many years ago I had the exact same symptoms that you described. I was so fearful it was MS but to my surprise and releif I ended up being diagnosed with Graves Disease(an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid) Unfotunately, I did end up with a diagnosis of MS-10 years later. So now that I have experienced both, I can tell you that many of the thyroid symptoms mimic MS-the weak, shaky legs especially. Heat intolerance was another.
I think the best thing to do is to have a w/u from a neurologist who can give you a definative diagnosis. I hope the best for you but if indeed MS is the final word-it is ok to be afraid but don't let it consume you. There has not been a better time to get such a diagosis-although there is not yet a cure, there are many treatment options. Majority of people do not end up in a wheelchair. You should go the the National MS Society website and stick with the information that is provided there. Alot of the information you find on -line is very scary and overwhelming.
Good luck to you
DeAnna
I think the best thing to do is to have a w/u from a neurologist who can give you a definative diagnosis. I hope the best for you but if indeed MS is the final word-it is ok to be afraid but don't let it consume you. There has not been a better time to get such a diagosis-although there is not yet a cure, there are many treatment options. Majority of people do not end up in a wheelchair. You should go the the National MS Society website and stick with the information that is provided there. Alot of the information you find on -line is very scary and overwhelming.
Good luck to you
DeAnna
Well, you are moving along in the work up. that's good. It sounds like the neuro also thinks you may have MS. However, MS does not typically have any direct effects on the heart. Very uncommonly it will cause an autonomic malfunction that may affect the heart. I'm not sure what your Dr. was thinking.
Stay with us.
Quix
Stay with us.
Quix
hey thanks for getting back to me.---Yes, I have been going to a Neurologist, and he's run a shook test of sorts to see if the nerves ar up to snuff in my hands. I guess that came back ok, but I have another appt with him in a week. In between they have scheduled another MRI of the spine.--My Dr said that the MS would affect the heart as far as what it would do to me, nothing too bad though.--When I mention shaky legs, when I go to get up sometimes my legs just feel weak/shaky.---He is going to do the other mri in a few days, and Im to take those to the Neuro when I go.-----Your info here was very informative. thanks.
Hi, I'm glad you found your way here. So,it sounds like you have had a few tests and finally got an MRI (of what - your brain, spine?) and the results are suggestive of MS. But, it doesn't sound like you have seen a neurologist yet and there hasn't been any other testing done to rule MS in or out. Is that correct?
The next step is to refer you to a neurologist. If the suspicion for MS is really high, I believe that it is best to see an MS specialist from the getgo. Then neurologist would need to do a very thorough history of your symptoms and exam to see waht neurological changes there are. He or she should look at your MRIs personally. Then if MS looks likely the neurologist MUST do tests to rule out diseases that can look like MS. You can only diagnose MS if you have ruled out other more reasonable aternatives.
Most of the things you listed do not suggest MS to me except the dizziness and bladder/urinating problems. What do you mean by shaky legs? The headaches, chest pain, heart beat irregularity are not usual MS symptoms.
First, I need to tell you that a lot of people get to your point in the process and find that the neurologist does not agree at all that MS is the answer. So, unless you have some other verification that is looks like MS, try not to assume that is the answer.
Multiple Sclerosis is an incredibly varied disease. If you have it then it sounds like you would have had it since about age 40. What are you up against? It is so hard to say because literally each person is different. Since you have had episodes of symptoms with quiet times in between, you would have the Relapsing Remitting form which is the most common. That means you would expect more of these.
Most people fear that MS will put them rapidly into a wheelchair and shorten their lives. This is rarely what really happens. The majority of people with MS will live pretty normal lives whcih are interrupted from time to time with relapses of symptoms. Most will be able to continue to work and maintain their lives for 15 to 20 years. In fact, 10% or so will be harly affected by the disease at all. Not everyone will be "debilitated," in fact, many won't.
The people on this forum tend to be more severely affected. That is what leads them to want to touch others who also are having a hard time, I think. Some will have lasting effects from each relapse and gradually be worse. A few will be devastated and have almost immediate difficulties.
MS will not shorten your life, in general. You will live to see what you wish to see. MS is not a death sentence at all. You can expect that at some points during your disease you might need help in walking, have difficulties in bladder and bowel function, have episodes of unusual sensations or numbness. Weakness is common. Problems with dizziness and balance are common. All of these may come and go - resolving either completely or only partially between attacks.
We now have meds that are able to slow the progression of the disease in 30 to 40% of the people who take them. These meds often have side effects that may be uncomfortable for some, not for others, but they have not been shown to have severe side effects like cancer chemo drugs can. Newer meds on the horizon promise to be more effective and have fewer side effects.
But, no one here can tell you what you will experience. Only time will tell. We have lots of info here and all I can do is invite you to read the posts and the answers, read our information pages and ask questions. I could literally have spent the next three days answering your question and still not have described what you may go through - IF this is MS.
But, I truly bleieve that this is a great place to be while the work up is being done. We have all been there and we all understand that it would be a relief to you to get answers for all the weird and painful things you have been going through. It's a great group! I hope you find a good home here and can be relieved and reassured.
I am the local, unofficial physician here. I have had MS for about three years and I am here almost every day to help answer some of the medical questions. You can read my journal on my profile and see what happened to me on the way to diagnosis. But, we have dozens of people with MS or still seeking a diagnosis who can share your fear and pain and add their experiences.
Welcome agian.
Quix
The next step is to refer you to a neurologist. If the suspicion for MS is really high, I believe that it is best to see an MS specialist from the getgo. Then neurologist would need to do a very thorough history of your symptoms and exam to see waht neurological changes there are. He or she should look at your MRIs personally. Then if MS looks likely the neurologist MUST do tests to rule out diseases that can look like MS. You can only diagnose MS if you have ruled out other more reasonable aternatives.
Most of the things you listed do not suggest MS to me except the dizziness and bladder/urinating problems. What do you mean by shaky legs? The headaches, chest pain, heart beat irregularity are not usual MS symptoms.
First, I need to tell you that a lot of people get to your point in the process and find that the neurologist does not agree at all that MS is the answer. So, unless you have some other verification that is looks like MS, try not to assume that is the answer.
Multiple Sclerosis is an incredibly varied disease. If you have it then it sounds like you would have had it since about age 40. What are you up against? It is so hard to say because literally each person is different. Since you have had episodes of symptoms with quiet times in between, you would have the Relapsing Remitting form which is the most common. That means you would expect more of these.
Most people fear that MS will put them rapidly into a wheelchair and shorten their lives. This is rarely what really happens. The majority of people with MS will live pretty normal lives whcih are interrupted from time to time with relapses of symptoms. Most will be able to continue to work and maintain their lives for 15 to 20 years. In fact, 10% or so will be harly affected by the disease at all. Not everyone will be "debilitated," in fact, many won't.
The people on this forum tend to be more severely affected. That is what leads them to want to touch others who also are having a hard time, I think. Some will have lasting effects from each relapse and gradually be worse. A few will be devastated and have almost immediate difficulties.
MS will not shorten your life, in general. You will live to see what you wish to see. MS is not a death sentence at all. You can expect that at some points during your disease you might need help in walking, have difficulties in bladder and bowel function, have episodes of unusual sensations or numbness. Weakness is common. Problems with dizziness and balance are common. All of these may come and go - resolving either completely or only partially between attacks.
We now have meds that are able to slow the progression of the disease in 30 to 40% of the people who take them. These meds often have side effects that may be uncomfortable for some, not for others, but they have not been shown to have severe side effects like cancer chemo drugs can. Newer meds on the horizon promise to be more effective and have fewer side effects.
But, no one here can tell you what you will experience. Only time will tell. We have lots of info here and all I can do is invite you to read the posts and the answers, read our information pages and ask questions. I could literally have spent the next three days answering your question and still not have described what you may go through - IF this is MS.
But, I truly bleieve that this is a great place to be while the work up is being done. We have all been there and we all understand that it would be a relief to you to get answers for all the weird and painful things you have been going through. It's a great group! I hope you find a good home here and can be relieved and reassured.
I am the local, unofficial physician here. I have had MS for about three years and I am here almost every day to help answer some of the medical questions. You can read my journal on my profile and see what happened to me on the way to diagnosis. But, we have dozens of people with MS or still seeking a diagnosis who can share your fear and pain and add their experiences.
Welcome agian.
Quix
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