Aa
Very Flat Feet
My name is Daniel and had been told about 5 years ago I may have MS. I had a bunch of tests ran(except fluid taken from my spine)and everything came back fine. For about 3 weeks now I have been having some serious pain in my feet,ankles,inner side of my left calf and occasionally my second toe in my right leg! Do you think that my custom arch supports of almost a year went out? I walk up to 13miles a nite and have very flat feet not to mention bunions. The bunion on my left leg is much bigger than the one on my right leg! I occasionally forget things I'm going to say or forget where or what I was going to do next, but being 40 I thought this as normal. My vision may get a little blurred but I work 12 hr.shifts. The only med. I am on is LEVOTHYROXIN100MCG. My mother has a chronic case of arthritis. Any suggestions? -danny
My brain isn't working! I want to clarify something. When I suggested that you get an appointment with a neurologist, I meant a neurologist who is an MS Specialist. I think this professional would be more likely to help put the pieces of the puzzle together for you.
Deb
Deb
I agree with Jensequitur and Rena. It's important that you've looked into the possibility of optic neuritis--this can been serious.
I've had pain in my feet now for years and it doesn't go away. There are some things to help it, however. I've tried different shoes with lots of support and cushion. There's these really expensive shoes (I think they're called MBT's) that help tremendously with the feet pain. However, I can't wear them all the time because they make me dizzy and they throw off my balance! I can't explain it--it's just plain weird. But I do have to say that my feet are better the day after I've worn them.
You take the same medicine I do. I assume that it's for thyroid problems. I know that hypothyroidism can cause a number of problems if it's not in balance--including cognitive dysfunction. However, that's something your neuro can sort out. If you have one autoimmune disorder, I think you're more likely to have others. I spent years trying to figure out what was going wrong. Write down all your symptoms and set up an appointment with a neurologist. If it's been five years, you're long overdue.
Good luck!
Deb
I've had pain in my feet now for years and it doesn't go away. There are some things to help it, however. I've tried different shoes with lots of support and cushion. There's these really expensive shoes (I think they're called MBT's) that help tremendously with the feet pain. However, I can't wear them all the time because they make me dizzy and they throw off my balance! I can't explain it--it's just plain weird. But I do have to say that my feet are better the day after I've worn them.
You take the same medicine I do. I assume that it's for thyroid problems. I know that hypothyroidism can cause a number of problems if it's not in balance--including cognitive dysfunction. However, that's something your neuro can sort out. If you have one autoimmune disorder, I think you're more likely to have others. I spent years trying to figure out what was going wrong. Write down all your symptoms and set up an appointment with a neurologist. If it's been five years, you're long overdue.
Good luck!
Deb
Daniel, what Rena said - it sounds like it's time to follow up on the MS possibility.
After my last big flare, I had a lot of pain in both feet. It felt like plantar fascitis, but in different locations. I think my feet were having spasms - the muscles tighten up and cramp, and then the muscles are extremely sore. But unlike a regular sore muscle, these didn't let up - they kept being sore and really hard to walk on. My hubby pounded on them and got them to feel better, but really what it took was time and rest.
It sounds like you're experiencing some cognitive impairment and blurred vision. Don't put this off any longer!
After my last big flare, I had a lot of pain in both feet. It felt like plantar fascitis, but in different locations. I think my feet were having spasms - the muscles tighten up and cramp, and then the muscles are extremely sore. But unlike a regular sore muscle, these didn't let up - they kept being sore and really hard to walk on. My hubby pounded on them and got them to feel better, but really what it took was time and rest.
It sounds like you're experiencing some cognitive impairment and blurred vision. Don't put this off any longer!
Hello Daniel and Welcome to our Forum! I would like to start out by letting you know that we here on the forum are not able to make any diagnosis however, we are able to assist you to find the correct path to follow to get a diagnosis for your symptoms. There are a great group of people here and should you need any support on your journey to a diagnosis, we are here 24/7.
When you were told 5 years ago about the possibility of a diagnosis of MS, was an MRI done of your brain and spine? Were you sent to see a Neurologist or an MS Specialist?
Why you ask? While a neurologist can deal with many neurological diseases, if you are suspected of having MS you NEED to be treated by an MS Specialist.
The first thing I would suggest is that you visit your pcp/gp and relate the symptoms you have been having to him/her.and request that an MRI of your brain be done and that you be referred to an MS Specialist.
An MS Specialist is trained to study your MRI and has the experience to discern differences in your MRI that a Neurologist or Radiologist is not. This ensures that you will have the proper results at the start of what could be a long road to a diagnosis.
When you go to see your MS Specialist, the first thing that he/she will want is a full history. It would be helpful to both you, the patient and the doctor if you were to make up a timeline of your symptoms ahead of time. This will give the doctor a better picture of your symptoms and will take the pressure off of you to remember everything in a stressful situation.
The next thing the Specialist will do is a full in-office Neurological Exam. It is imperative that this exam is done and if it is not done it is up to you to be pro-active and INSIST that this exam is performed.
This is a head to toe exam that may include requests for you to walk across the floor heel to toe, you will be asked to touch your finger to the doctors finger suspended in front of you and then to your nose with your eyes closed, you will be asked to rub your heel down your opposite shin...nothing too scary, they just seem a little strange. A good exam will probably take 30 minutes or more. The results of this examination will tell your Specialist about your Mental Status, Cranial Nerves, Motor Skills, Coordination and Gait, Reflexes and Senses. This in office examination is crucial to the possibility of a diagnosis of MS.
Ok, so now you have had an MRI and an in-office examination and the results are inconclusive...What next?
Your MS Specialist may suggest a Lumbar Puncture. It sounds scarier than it is and most people have no difficulty with it at all.
During the Lumbar Puncture the MS Specialist will extract a small amount of spinal fluid from your lower back and it will be studied for the presence of Oligoclonal Banding which is present with MS.
If there are no Oligoclonal Banding a positive IgG index will suffice as a positive LP. The fluid will also be studied for a myriad of other diseases as well.
If MS is highly suspected but there is not enough evidence for a diagnosis then Evoked Potential testing is brought into play. Evoked Potential testing measures the time it takes for a nerve to respond to stimulation. There are three types of tests used to obtain evoked potentials, Visual evoked, Auditory brain stem evoked and Somatosensory. Each response is recorded from brain waves by using electrodes taped to the head. Visually evoked response is the most commonly used to diagnose MS.
You have also complained about blurry vision, is this in one eye or both? The reason I ask is that as a rule Optic Neuritis (which is a common symptom at the onset of MS) is usually related to one eye at a time. This however should be looked at by your Opthamologist. Ensure that you relate to the Opthamologist that you are currently looking at a possible diagnosis of MS and you expect to see an MS Specialist in the future but you are concerned about the blurry vision you have been experiencing.
These are the tests that are used to try to discern whether a diagnosis of MS can be made or not. It is very important to remember that a good MS Specialist that suspects MS but can find no indication, follow up with the patient at 3 to 6 month intervals, for years, if necessary, to gain further information. This make me suspect Daniel as to whether you were seen by a neurologist or an MS Specialist back when there was a suspicion of MS. This should have been followed up by your Neurologist.
If you have any questions Daniel, please don't be afraid to ask...there is always someone here that is knowledgable on the subject of MS diagnosis. Please let us know how you are doing and if you are able to see an MS Specialist.
Good Luck and Lots of Hugs,
Rena
When you were told 5 years ago about the possibility of a diagnosis of MS, was an MRI done of your brain and spine? Were you sent to see a Neurologist or an MS Specialist?
Why you ask? While a neurologist can deal with many neurological diseases, if you are suspected of having MS you NEED to be treated by an MS Specialist.
The first thing I would suggest is that you visit your pcp/gp and relate the symptoms you have been having to him/her.and request that an MRI of your brain be done and that you be referred to an MS Specialist.
An MS Specialist is trained to study your MRI and has the experience to discern differences in your MRI that a Neurologist or Radiologist is not. This ensures that you will have the proper results at the start of what could be a long road to a diagnosis.
When you go to see your MS Specialist, the first thing that he/she will want is a full history. It would be helpful to both you, the patient and the doctor if you were to make up a timeline of your symptoms ahead of time. This will give the doctor a better picture of your symptoms and will take the pressure off of you to remember everything in a stressful situation.
The next thing the Specialist will do is a full in-office Neurological Exam. It is imperative that this exam is done and if it is not done it is up to you to be pro-active and INSIST that this exam is performed.
This is a head to toe exam that may include requests for you to walk across the floor heel to toe, you will be asked to touch your finger to the doctors finger suspended in front of you and then to your nose with your eyes closed, you will be asked to rub your heel down your opposite shin...nothing too scary, they just seem a little strange. A good exam will probably take 30 minutes or more. The results of this examination will tell your Specialist about your Mental Status, Cranial Nerves, Motor Skills, Coordination and Gait, Reflexes and Senses. This in office examination is crucial to the possibility of a diagnosis of MS.
Ok, so now you have had an MRI and an in-office examination and the results are inconclusive...What next?
Your MS Specialist may suggest a Lumbar Puncture. It sounds scarier than it is and most people have no difficulty with it at all.
During the Lumbar Puncture the MS Specialist will extract a small amount of spinal fluid from your lower back and it will be studied for the presence of Oligoclonal Banding which is present with MS.
If there are no Oligoclonal Banding a positive IgG index will suffice as a positive LP. The fluid will also be studied for a myriad of other diseases as well.
If MS is highly suspected but there is not enough evidence for a diagnosis then Evoked Potential testing is brought into play. Evoked Potential testing measures the time it takes for a nerve to respond to stimulation. There are three types of tests used to obtain evoked potentials, Visual evoked, Auditory brain stem evoked and Somatosensory. Each response is recorded from brain waves by using electrodes taped to the head. Visually evoked response is the most commonly used to diagnose MS.
You have also complained about blurry vision, is this in one eye or both? The reason I ask is that as a rule Optic Neuritis (which is a common symptom at the onset of MS) is usually related to one eye at a time. This however should be looked at by your Opthamologist. Ensure that you relate to the Opthamologist that you are currently looking at a possible diagnosis of MS and you expect to see an MS Specialist in the future but you are concerned about the blurry vision you have been experiencing.
These are the tests that are used to try to discern whether a diagnosis of MS can be made or not. It is very important to remember that a good MS Specialist that suspects MS but can find no indication, follow up with the patient at 3 to 6 month intervals, for years, if necessary, to gain further information. This make me suspect Daniel as to whether you were seen by a neurologist or an MS Specialist back when there was a suspicion of MS. This should have been followed up by your Neurologist.
If you have any questions Daniel, please don't be afraid to ask...there is always someone here that is knowledgable on the subject of MS diagnosis. Please let us know how you are doing and if you are able to see an MS Specialist.
Good Luck and Lots of Hugs,
Rena
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
