Optic neuritis, normal MRI, SCARED TO DEATH

[Linds22]

Im a 26 year old female. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis in 2007. Went to one of the best neuro-opthamologists in Pa. He was involved in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. I had a normal brain MRI at the time. I had another perfect brain MRI in 2009.
     But just this past month I've experienced a burning scalp sensation (lasted all night and part of the next day) about a week and half after the burning scalp I broke out in a rash on my side of painful blisters..my dr diagnosed me with shingles, which I know also runs along the nerve root. As I was recovering from shingles  I also felt a burning sensation in my arms that felt like my arms were being cooked from the inside out (this lasted about 6 hours but I had also just been put on Zoloft for anxiety, it was my third day taking it, so I don't know if it was a side effect) I think I gave myself shingles stressing over whether or not I have MS. I'm TERRIFIED that I'm going to develop it based on having optic neuritis almost 5 years ago. I know that it is a major indicator of MS..however my last MRI was in 2009 and it showed no lesions. I think about it daily and get myself so worked up about it.

The past few nights I've noticed a very mild buzzing feeling in my left foot. It's very mild and only in a small part of my foot. The past few nights I have also experienced very very mild tingling in my feet..they don't feel asleep. Just odd sensations.

My neurologist in 2009 told me he doesn't think it's MS and that it was an isolated case of Optic neuritis..but I can't help but to constantly worry about developing MS. I've driven myself insane over thinking I'm going to develop it. My anxiety over it is through the roof. t this point I suppose I need an MRI for peace of mind. Does the burning tingling scalp and burning arms sound like MS? Or could that have been related to my shingles/ side effect of starting Zoloft?!? Any answers would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[Linds22]

Thank you so much for your response! You have really helped to ease my anxiety over developing MS. I think my thoughts and fears over developing the disease have began to consume my life. I feel like ever since I was diagnosed with ON that I've lived in constant fear. I'm a huge worry wart to begin with, so being diagnosed with ON has been traumatizing to me. I think you're right- at this point I may need to speak to a psychologist to cope with my overwhelming anxiety of MS. Again, I appreciate your response :)

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome, in my honest opinion I think the likelyhood that your still going to develope MS, is now is getting exstremely low. Your a bit to anxious about your health and probably are reading more into things because of your high levels of fear at the moment.

People with isolated cases of ON are less likely to go on to develope MS, and people with normal MRI's and isolated ON are even less likely, its something like only a 15 or 16% chance, which put the odds a lot higher that your not going to end up with MS. After 5 years the odds get even better that your not going to end up with MS.

It is highly probable that the shingles, anxiety or even the zoloft are causing these reletively minor sensory feelings, actually if these type of sx's are coming just after starting the SSRI then its probably the most likely cause. I would recommend that you get your mental health assessed by a psychologist or psychiatrist if you haven't already. These types of medications sometimes need to be changed a few times, before the one that works best for you is found, a psych is better at working this out.

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