Leg and Rib Area Numbness

[landksmom]

I was just diagnosed this week with MS. I've had symptoms for 12 years but was never tested for MS. Eveything was always chalked up to inner ear. Can anyone tell me if they have heard of leg numbess climbing as high as mid-ribcage? I've had the numbess (starting on my feet and climbingh) for 2 weeks. I started on prednisone 4 days ago, with no improvement yet. Any thoughts?
Thank you!

[landksmom]

Hi LuLu and thanks for your response.
Actually I am very new to MS.I should mention that I am 43 and I have suspected for a short time but every time I had a weird virus it would go away on it's own within about 6 weeks. The first was double vision- 12 years ago when my first child was 6 months old. About 2 days in I was given a CT scan but that was becasue the ER Doc thought I might have a brain tumor. They saw nothing on the scan. There have been no scans or tests since then. About 4 years after the 1st eye issue I had terrible vertigo and it was as if I was looking through broken glass. That was diagnosed by a neuroligist as inner ear. He said it would go away in about 6 weeks and it did. With the medical system being what it is in Canada (terrific but short on Docs) and loosing our Dr.s about every 4 years, having one person follow you to be able to see a pattern wasn't really an option.
Anyway, now we have an MRI with lots of plaque and lesions and a history of what we can now call attacks. I have a very good Dr who has refered me to an MS specialist. I live about 4 hours away from him but will be able to see him within the next few weeks.

My Dr. is suspecting that I have RRMS but I still have much to learn.

I am on oral prednisone. (A fairly small does accoring to the pharmacist.) That was by my request. I think I may well have gone with nothing had I not asked. To be honest, I would have not bothered until I saw the specialist but I wanted to give myself the chance to get use the reality of having MS without also dealing with the syptoms...just this once. I was really only joking when she asked if she could do anything for me and I asked for a "magic pill". I am in fact feeling the tiniest bit of realif as of last night. That, according to my Dr. is the "!" behind the diagnoses. The fact that the sypmtoms are reacting to the predinose that is. I see The Doc again on Tuesday or sooner if need be. She really is terrific, I am very lucky. If I need to I can simply walk into her office. I am careful not to abuse that luxury though! ;-0)
I also have a fantastic chiropractor who is helping me to live the "Gold Standard" as he puts it. He is very positive and encouraging.
Does everyone with MS need to take DMDs that you know of?

Wow, sorry, I guess that got a bit long winded.

Have a good Sunday morning and again thank you!

[Lulu54]

Good morning and welcome to the MS forum at MedHelp.  At least it is morning here in Ohio!  Wow,  thaat is something to go 12 years with no one even looking at MS as a possibility.

I don't mean to frustrate you because you're looking for answers but I have more questions -
are you being seen by a MS sppecialist?

what type of MS have they said you have?

have they started you on a DMD (disease modifying drug)?

Are you on oral prednisone?  If so, its probably not going to do you much good - the gold standard for reducing the inflammation is oral IV doses of SoluMedrol, which is also a steroid but in much stronger doses.

Have you contacted your doctor and told him/her that the prednisone is doing nothing for you?

I do hope you will come back and share more of your history when you feel like it.  This is a very compassionate community, willing to listen and share ideas.  

Welcome again,
Lulu