Please help, possible Multiple Sclerosis?

[Joan_1989]

Background: both my aunt and my grandmother have Multiple Sclerosis, my mother does not.

About 50 some days ago I first encountered numbness throughout my hips, right leg, and stomach. This was accompanied by dizziness and fatigue. When I went in to the doctor, they tested me for lymes and came up with a false positive. I took the medication as directed with no effect.
It is now nearly a month and a half after the initial numbness, and it's back. This time it is effecting my left leg (just like it did with my right). I also have experienced trouble with vision, and every time I look down I have an intense tingling sensation rush to my legs, and this stops with time while looking down, or by looking up. Also, I occasionally get a "wet/cold" feeling in my arms, or feel pin-pricks throughout my hands, like a cold rain is falling. Also, my feet are CONSTANTLY tingling, and gets worse with walking, standing, or any activity.

I haven't had an MRI yet because my parents are skeptical it is MS...
Anybody who can give me some answers or lead me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate your help.

Thank you.

[COBOB]

I'd say your first step is a consult to a neurologist to see what they say.  Your relatives with MS seem to be second degree (first degree being mother, father and sibling) and are not a good predictor of MS.  You need a neurologic exam and possibly an MRI.  If it is MS, the best thing is to start early treatment.  

For identical twins, the rate of both twins getting MS is increased by 20-30%.  For non-identical twins, it increases by about 3%.  Second Degree relatives increase the rate by about 0.66%
http://www.acceleratedcure.org/downloads/phase2-genetics-inherited.pdf

Bob

[HVAC]

Welcome Joan sounds like you are scared. Yes there is a genetic component to MS, but it is not a strong percentage. What does your GP think? I would certainly share my concerns with the GP. They can tell by checking your reflexes, having you follow their finger, etc if you have neurological problem and need a Neurological consult.

The only person who could sort out if it is MS is a Doctor. There are plenty of things that are not Neurological like Lyme which act like MS. My Doctor said to me when I started just because you hear hoof beats do not assume zebras. Sometimes the answer is common place like a horse instead.

If you do end up with a Neurologist the testing may take years and be very extensive. Over two years I had test after test every six months.

I am sorry you have to go through this and are worried. Again I would start with my General Practitioner.

Alex