Do my symptoms sound like MS or any condition closely related?

[ShannonCall]

Hi everyone,

So I have been experiencing symptoms that can be paired with MS but also many other conditions so I am very confused. I just turned 21 and I am female, I go to the gym quite often as well ! I have a neurologist appointment, but as you all know, those take months and my anxiety is taking over!

My symptoms started with having really quickly onset-ed tingling. The moment I bent over I would get tingling, I couldn't ever do a yoga class cause my legs and arms would become tingly immediately after every position and would become painful. This then turned slowly into random tingling in my hands but for the most part I could sort of shake them away. I am not sure if tingling that comes with MS is controllable like that?? For the most part(not always) I can get rid of the tingling once I move out of the position.  
My symptoms have now been joined by quite painful aches in my forearm and into my fingers.(mostly on left arm) These are extremely annoying and come on very randomly.
I do have quite a bit of twitching but at this time I don't know if that is from me just seeing symptoms of MS and making myself believe I have them etc. My vision has been odd but not with double vision or the jumping eye, I just feel like I am not seeing right and feel  "off". This is something that could also be brought on by my anxiety about this whole thing, I really don't know. I went to the eye doctor and she said they look fine? I get short of breathe too but also thinking this could be anxiety?

Also, not sure if this is correlated, but my left hamstring will get very tight and uncomfortable at random times as well?

[ShannonCall]

No I am awake when this happens, throughout the day but notice it more when I'm sitting at work or in bed cause there is nothing to distract me I guess? Just finding that I'm getting a lot of muscle twitches, (also a sign of anxiety) but of course I believe it must be worse case scenario.

Yes, Google has been my worst nightmare and I have been really focusing on NOT going on there anymore, somehow you will always lead yourself to the worst conclusion.

I am eager to hear from neurologist just for piece of mind, but also going in  there with the thought that this may just be anxiety that has heightened something minor.

[supermum_ms]

You said "my foot will just sort of " jump" in a twitch like motion and sometimes its my whole body. " ....are you sound a sleep and startled awake with your foot or whole body jerking?

Unfortunately, if you experience anxiety about your health and you google, you'd more likely end up being even more anxious, google just loves to throw MS in everyone's faces even though most of the time it's 1 of the hundreds of other more common explanations, but anxiety will hyper focus on worse case scenarios and lead anxious people down the wrong medical path.....Try to keep on top of your anxiety if you can, it really can make everything worse and lead you astray!

Cheers.......JJ

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

The 'hot bath test' use to be how MS was diagnosed, a rise in external or internal temperature causes what's called a pseudo relapse, the MSers symptoms temporarily return until they have cooled down again.

Typically sensory issues that appear when your body is in a certain position, or can be shaken off, would point away from neurological issues like MS, there are very few MS issues that are situation specific and none i can think of that resolve by shaking or can be controlled.

The Lhermittes sign is not exclusive to MS but it is situation specific, causing an electric shock or tingling running down your spine into your arms and or legs when you bend your neck. It doesn't usually last very long and typically stops with the straightening of the neck or very shortly after straightening.

To be honest it doesn't sound right enough for a neurological condition like MS, it's possible like Cheryl said, it's more along the lines of a peripheral nerve issue in your spine but mental health conditions can cause sensory issues 'and or' make somethings worse when the anxiety levels is high, so if you can work on reducing your anxiety it genuinely can be helpful...

Let us know how you get on at your neurology appointment.........JJ

  

[ShannonCall]

Thanks so much for your reply, I am known to get high anxiety and google does not help!

At the same time, symptoms like getting random tingling in my toes when walking and fingers that don't go away by shaking them, and muscle twitching randomly all day, at night I feel them a lot, my foot will just sort of " jump" in a twitch like motion and sometimes its my whole body.

I know anxiety can even cause twitching like that, so I am stuck in the middle wondering what one it is!

[ShannonCall]

I also have experienced twice now, a random electric shock running down my back, It legit lasted like 2 seconds and I was standing up both times. Again, I know this is a symptom of MS but also many other things, but you can see why I am concerned.

[ShannonCall]

Thanks so much for your reply cheryl! That is a very good idea.

My question to you guys is if the tingling that is brought on by ms , is controllable. As in, if you move out of the position,does it go away?

My doctor asked me if hot baths/showers effect the symptoms, and I find them almost soothing. There is no increase in anything which is the only reason I don't think its ms.

[cjtmn]

Hi ShannonCall,

MS cannot be diagnosed symptomatically. You are certainly dealing with a lot of uncomfortable symptoms! I'm sorry to read that. Great that your B12 and diabetes tests came back clear.

Given you work out quite a bit, I'm wondering if seeing a sports medicine doc until you can get in to see your neurologist would be helpful? Or possibly an orthopedist? Bending and twisting causing tingling/numbness certainly could be an issue with compression in your spine somewhere.

Best wishes for a quick resolution to all of this.
Cheryl

[ShannonCall]

I should mention that I have been tested for diabetes & Vitamin B12 deficiency, all came back negative.