Aa
Concerned I might have MS
Hi, I am new here. 15 years ago, after presenting with sever fatigue and generalized pain I was diagnosed at age 25 w/ chronic fatigue syndrome and possible mixed connective tissue disorder due to high positive ANA Titers.
I continued work, sports, got married and then 5 years later started having more specific symptoms and was diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia and possible Lupus.
Now, at 40 I am experiencing EXTREME fatigue, sleepiness, pain all over, weakness/numbness in arms and legs where at times I have trouble moving them and lifting things; involuntary movements; buzzing all the way down my body; twitches, leg cramps; face pain and numbness; legs hurt so much I have to sit down; blurred vision; slurred speech; memory issues; dropping things ---- Recent MRI (without contrast) was normal ---- I recently found out I have multiple food allergies --- including GLUTEN and COW's MILK ---- I have only had these new symptoms for about 3 months and my doctor is sending me to Mayo Clinic next week ----
I know there's still a lot of testing to be done - just wondering if this sounds like MS? I have dealt with the "fibromyalgia" for years, but this seems to be progressing . . .
Thanks for your help .. . . .
I continued work, sports, got married and then 5 years later started having more specific symptoms and was diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia and possible Lupus.
Now, at 40 I am experiencing EXTREME fatigue, sleepiness, pain all over, weakness/numbness in arms and legs where at times I have trouble moving them and lifting things; involuntary movements; buzzing all the way down my body; twitches, leg cramps; face pain and numbness; legs hurt so much I have to sit down; blurred vision; slurred speech; memory issues; dropping things ---- Recent MRI (without contrast) was normal ---- I recently found out I have multiple food allergies --- including GLUTEN and COW's MILK ---- I have only had these new symptoms for about 3 months and my doctor is sending me to Mayo Clinic next week ----
I know there's still a lot of testing to be done - just wondering if this sounds like MS? I have dealt with the "fibromyalgia" for years, but this seems to be progressing . . .
Thanks for your help .. . . .
Your post really says alot in the back and forth, the back and forth...of the confusion of a diagnosis.
I probably don't give Neruologists enough credit for all they testing they have to go through with their patients to find out what is wrong. Of course, there are some of them out there that lack the care and compassion that their patient needs to get through all of this. Don't you agree? They kind of seem like "stuffy old men."
But what you talk about, is really the way it does seem to happen to most...
Thanks for posting..
Happy New Year Torey,
Heather
I probably don't give Neruologists enough credit for all they testing they have to go through with their patients to find out what is wrong. Of course, there are some of them out there that lack the care and compassion that their patient needs to get through all of this. Don't you agree? They kind of seem like "stuffy old men."
But what you talk about, is really the way it does seem to happen to most...
Thanks for posting..
Happy New Year Torey,
Heather
Nice to meet you! Good for you getting the Mayo Clinic.
Your history sounds a bit like mine. First, I thought possibly MS or lupus; Physician relates possible mixed-connective tissues disease and arthritis, then possible lupus, then possible fibro, then fibro and possible lupus, then fibro and carpal tunnel and back problems, then who knows what, then fibro, then probably lupus, then probably MS, then Fibro and not lupus; then Fibro and possibly MS, then MS. So much overlap; so little time...We rush for a diagnosis in the shortest time...It is often a race to come back around full circle...but hopefully at a better place than we initially started...
Good luck with everything!!! Keep us posted!!!
Torey
Your history sounds a bit like mine. First, I thought possibly MS or lupus; Physician relates possible mixed-connective tissues disease and arthritis, then possible lupus, then possible fibro, then fibro and possible lupus, then fibro and carpal tunnel and back problems, then who knows what, then fibro, then probably lupus, then probably MS, then Fibro and not lupus; then Fibro and possibly MS, then MS. So much overlap; so little time...We rush for a diagnosis in the shortest time...It is often a race to come back around full circle...but hopefully at a better place than we initially started...
Good luck with everything!!! Keep us posted!!!
Torey
Hi, Welcome to this great forum. I am new to it, but it feels that I have been on it for a lifetime.
I have been dealing with MS for 14 years. It has been like a roller coaster. I am glad that you are going to Mayo, not everybody is as lucky. My eye doctor was trained there and I have a lot of faith in him.
I know it is hard to wait for answers, it happens to all of us. You are right with MS is best to work with it in its early stages, but at least you have a good relationship wiith your local physician. Try not to stress yourself too much while waiting for the tests results because if it is indeed MS you may cause a flare up and that's one thing that you can live without.
Count on me as a friend and do as much research as you can. My prayers will be with you.
Zulma (Gooddays)
I have been dealing with MS for 14 years. It has been like a roller coaster. I am glad that you are going to Mayo, not everybody is as lucky. My eye doctor was trained there and I have a lot of faith in him.
I know it is hard to wait for answers, it happens to all of us. You are right with MS is best to work with it in its early stages, but at least you have a good relationship wiith your local physician. Try not to stress yourself too much while waiting for the tests results because if it is indeed MS you may cause a flare up and that's one thing that you can live without.
Count on me as a friend and do as much research as you can. My prayers will be with you.
Zulma (Gooddays)
Thanks! Nice to meet you! Will keep you posted!
Julia
Julia
Thanks so much for the info. I never considered that I may have an overlap of illnesses, but with your suggestion it seems so possible. I really never thought much about MS until I started having the buzzing, twitching, blurred vision and most of difficulty moving my arms and legs.
I will definitely keep you all posted. Thanks for your support! Julia
I will definitely keep you all posted. Thanks for your support! Julia
Thanks so much! I'll keep you all posted!
Julia
Julia
Hi there,
Yes, the waiting is no fun. For years I have been satisfied will treating the pain and dealing with the fatigue, but I have read so much about the importance of treating MS in the early stages - so that's mostly why I am anxious. I have a wonderful life - family - friends - and faith so I really think I will be fine - just want to get a hold of whatever it is before it gets a hold of me!
I don't know what my recent ANA levels are, but I know at one time they where at 1/640.
Thanks - I'll keep in touch and please let me know how you are doing! Julia
Yes, the waiting is no fun. For years I have been satisfied will treating the pain and dealing with the fatigue, but I have read so much about the importance of treating MS in the early stages - so that's mostly why I am anxious. I have a wonderful life - family - friends - and faith so I really think I will be fine - just want to get a hold of whatever it is before it gets a hold of me!
I don't know what my recent ANA levels are, but I know at one time they where at 1/640.
Thanks - I'll keep in touch and please let me know how you are doing! Julia
Thank you so much for your support. Yes, I feel fortunate to be referred to Mayo. I am very fortunate too, that I have a great relationship with my local physician and he is easy to communicate with.
Prayers are good! I'll be sending some your way too!
Julia
Prayers are good! I'll be sending some your way too!
Julia
Hi Julia,
I'm sorry to hear you are suffering, and your symptoms do sound so very familiar. Best wishes and a big welcome to the forum,
Jazzy
I'm sorry to hear you are suffering, and your symptoms do sound so very familiar. Best wishes and a big welcome to the forum,
Jazzy
I just saw your post...I don't know how I missed it. Welcome to the forum. Forgive me for not posting to you before now.
My son-in-law, who is 37 has Lupus and alot of your symptoms sound like Lupus. With Lupus, MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...many of the symptoms overlap. So the doctor's have to depend heavily on testing to try and figure out the puzzle.
I have MS and ws diagnosed 12 years ago. Some of your symptoms are very suggestive of MS, but I still have to say, sound so much like my son-in-law. This is one reason why none of us here can diagnose you and only give you our opinions.
It's true there needs to be more testing. It does sound like your doctor's are good doctor's and are doing everything possible to sort out this puzzle. What you have to do as a patient is keep open-minded to all possibilities. Could it be that you suffer from more than one disorder? Yes. I have Fibro AND MS. So everything is possible.
For me, it's sometimes hard for me to distinguish where the Fibro starts and the MS begins. Some of the symptoms are so similiar in the way they present themselves.
The road to diagnosis is a rough one. I hope that it helps you to know that you are among friends here and we will stick beside you every step of the way, as the doctors sort this out. Many times I have said, that you will never take one step alone, as long as this forum exists. We are here for you.
I hope that you will post often and share what you are going through. Maybe together we can help you get through this diagnosis mystery.
Again, welcome. I hope that 2008 brings you renewed health and vigor. Never forget you are among friends here on the MS forum. We even have members that do not have MS that continue to stay with us, because they feel this is such a great place to be. This forum is filled with Angels with Invisible Wings. True Angels....
Best Wishes to you Julia...We are with you...
Heather
My son-in-law, who is 37 has Lupus and alot of your symptoms sound like Lupus. With Lupus, MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...many of the symptoms overlap. So the doctor's have to depend heavily on testing to try and figure out the puzzle.
I have MS and ws diagnosed 12 years ago. Some of your symptoms are very suggestive of MS, but I still have to say, sound so much like my son-in-law. This is one reason why none of us here can diagnose you and only give you our opinions.
It's true there needs to be more testing. It does sound like your doctor's are good doctor's and are doing everything possible to sort out this puzzle. What you have to do as a patient is keep open-minded to all possibilities. Could it be that you suffer from more than one disorder? Yes. I have Fibro AND MS. So everything is possible.
For me, it's sometimes hard for me to distinguish where the Fibro starts and the MS begins. Some of the symptoms are so similiar in the way they present themselves.
The road to diagnosis is a rough one. I hope that it helps you to know that you are among friends here and we will stick beside you every step of the way, as the doctors sort this out. Many times I have said, that you will never take one step alone, as long as this forum exists. We are here for you.
I hope that you will post often and share what you are going through. Maybe together we can help you get through this diagnosis mystery.
Again, welcome. I hope that 2008 brings you renewed health and vigor. Never forget you are among friends here on the MS forum. We even have members that do not have MS that continue to stay with us, because they feel this is such a great place to be. This forum is filled with Angels with Invisible Wings. True Angels....
Best Wishes to you Julia...We are with you...
Heather
I agree with Carol.
Waiting is the hardest thing of all. I do hope you get a DX soon. Then you can just deal with what you know instead of worrying what it may be.
Welcome to our forum!
You'll find many helpful people here.
Kathy
Waiting is the hardest thing of all. I do hope you get a DX soon. Then you can just deal with what you know instead of worrying what it may be.
Welcome to our forum!
You'll find many helpful people here.
Kathy
Welcome to the forum, it's great that you get to have the test done and hopefully you will get some answers?
I'm kinda new here too and not yet Dxd, how high is ANA to be high? and sed rate...what level is really high? would you know that answer?
Good luck and stay in touch
Andrea
I'm kinda new here too and not yet Dxd, how high is ANA to be high? and sed rate...what level is really high? would you know that answer?
Good luck and stay in touch
Andrea
You certainly share some of the symptoms that I have with MS, but I think everyone on this forum has some of the same symptoms I do as well as just as many have different symptoms on top of these.
It's wonderful that you are going to the Mayo. You are on the right track of getting a diagnosis. The majority of people who go there come home with at least something more than they went with. I'm sure they will run every test possible and hopefully be able to give you a diagnosis.
The waiting is the hardest part. The progressing you talk of is the scariest part. I would thing am I going to be crippled before they get the darn test ran. Hang in there and we will stay with you through all of it. Please keep us informed so we can keep the prayers flowing your way.
I'll be praying,
Carol
It's wonderful that you are going to the Mayo. You are on the right track of getting a diagnosis. The majority of people who go there come home with at least something more than they went with. I'm sure they will run every test possible and hopefully be able to give you a diagnosis.
The waiting is the hardest part. The progressing you talk of is the scariest part. I would thing am I going to be crippled before they get the darn test ran. Hang in there and we will stay with you through all of it. Please keep us informed so we can keep the prayers flowing your way.
I'll be praying,
Carol
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