Possible Symptoms of MS

[Sunny_78]

As history, I used to run about 7 miles a day until about 10 years ago.  At that point, I started having extreme fatigue in my legs.  I went to the doctor and was told that since I was very active, it only made sense that my legs would feel fatigued.  I cut back on my running and biking and still had fatigue in my legs.  That lasted for about 10 years during which time I had several surgeries. Surgeries: a nerve in my foot, 2 cataract removals, detached retina, triple hernia surgery.  I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea.  All of this happened within the last 10 years all while still having fatigue in my legs.  Last summer (2014), around my 36th birthday, I started stumbling, losing my balance, and had lightheadedness/dizziness.  When I would stand up, I would have to hold on to something.  There were a couple times when my legs would just give out and I would fall back into a chair.  This all got progressively worse to the point I would not venture to far from walls, furniture, or something sturdy to catch me when my legs gave out, which was about 4 times a week (sometimes more, sometimes less).

I started getting the run around with the doctors when I ended up in the hospital back in December for a week due to muscle weakness in my legs and left arm (along with the above).  During the week, I received MRIs, CT Scans (with and without contrast), provided an enormous amount of blood  and urine.  At the end of the week they discharged me and said they couldn't find anything and it would take a few weeks for some of the results.  When I was discharged, they provided me a walker and a shower chair since I have balance problems.  At my follow-up, the doctors told me that the tests all came back normal.  The neurologist stated that I had anxiety and referred me to a neuropsychologist. I completed a bunch of tests and at the time I was told that I likely have anxiety. I saw my primary care doc who rudely stated that there was nothing physically wrong with me and that I "should seek a mental health provider to work through my issues."   I thought that was inappropriate but I went to hopefully find an answer (though I doubted that I would).  I have been seeing my shrink for 3-4 months and was the diagnosis continued of anxiety.  She added that I was depressed as well (who wouldn't be at this point).  I am now taking the max dose of Zoloft (200mg) and don't seem to notice any difference.   In March and April it seemed things were getting a bit better and went from my walker to a cane but now the weakness and balance are even worse now forcing me back to my walker.  As I explained to my shrink since the diagnosis is anxiety and I am on anti-anxiety medication, I should be getting better.  However, I am still not getting better, in fact, the numbness/tingling/fatigue has moved into my groin and backside.    On a couple occasions, I was unable to control my bladder and dribbled on myself.  I now have to get up about 4 times a night to use the restroom.  The shrink told me yesterday that the final results of the neuropsychology test indicated that I have cognitive disorder (when I read the description seems like a fancier way to say anxiety).  And OMG I am so tired, I am sleeping upwards of 12 hours or more during the week and even more on the weekends.  During my lunch, I leave the office and have to take a nap in my car at a nearby park.  I have no energy and no interest in doing anything.

I have also started physical therapy to strengthen my legs and work on my balance.  During therapy (or when I walk too much) my legs begin to have tremors that I can't control.  The muscle spasms are intense and hurt.  If I stop and attempt to relax, my leg muscles start to ache and burn then the spasms/tremors start.  

I don't buy anxiety as the overall diagnosis.  I believe that it can make the actual symptoms worse (no doubts about that).  When searching the internet, the symptoms sound like MS to me (but obviously I'm not a dr.)

Any ideas or am I just crazy?  Can anxiety really be the root cause of all these issues?  Help!

-Sunny_78

[supermum_ms]

Hi Sunny and welcome,

I'm also going to suggest that there probably is more going on than the mental health issue of depression and anxiety, though i think it's less likely to be a neurological condition like MS and more likely to be an alternate medical condition, one that is probably associated with the health conditions you've already been diagnosed with.

You are quite young to have had bilateral cataracts, so unless it was congenital I would think along with your other medical issues eg hernias, sleep apnea, peripheral nerve issues etc there could possibly be a clue to what may be additionally causing you these other issues/symptoms as well, I'm actually thinking of conditions like type 2 diabetes.

'IF' your weight has been a long term problem and if it is the reason you have sleep apnea (note sleep apnea is most commonly associated with obesity but there are other unrelated causes too) that would be a potential explanation from my understanding, of most if not all of what you have mentioned.

I would consider doing some research on 'sleep apnea' and the medically researched impact on the individuals physical and mental health, which i think you'll find most helpful in understanding what your dealing with.....

Cheers...........JJ


    

    

[HVAC]

First I would ask for a Neurological exam that is reflexes and such. If that is abnormal would get referred to a MS Specialist. Neurologists specialize and not all know about MS. I do not have a clue if you have MS not being a doctor but if it were I, I would want to know either way.There are other conditions which have the same symptoms as MS. It sounds like you have been tested for many of them.

Was your MRI abnormal? Did they do it with contrast? If you go to a MS Specialist they may follow you for several months or years to see changes for themselves.

Many people being diagnosed with MS also have anxiety. What you are describing is more than anxiety. If you loved to run and now you are using a walker something is up.

Alex