Symptoms for about 4 weeks

[Deb1023]

Hello -- I have had symptoms that "could be" MS or something else for about a month. I am wondering how MS usually presents itself in the early stages? I took prescription Lorazepam (Ativan) for 6 months for anxiety, and became dependent on it. I had to detox off it 3 months ago. It is possible that due to the bad rapid detox (10 days using phenobarbital) that I am now experiencing these neurologic symptoms as part of the withdrawal. I also have Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome (which also can cause all of the symptoms I'm experiencing due to trigger points) and bad anxiety.My other thought is possible Lyme Disease. I understand that it can mimic MS.
My symptoms began about 4 weeks ago with some eye pain in and around the eye, which mostly went away with trigger point therapy after 2-3 weeks,  & twitches & facial pain (I also have TMJ though & had a sinus infection going). I had dry eyes (but take 3 meds that cause that (one of which I am stopping & another lowering the dose on) The dry eye has improved considerably, as has the facial pain. Then I began having all over body muscle twitches frequently & some tingly feelings as well, in my face and hand.
That is also common with Fibro & myofascial syndrome, and with anxiety.  Then in the past couple of days I began having some minor numb feeling in my jaw/chin, (also possible with myofascial or fibro)
and the outer skin there felt as if I had a whisker burn from my husband. :~) It also itched a little. I did trigger point therapy, and it has improved quite a lot.  
I am seeing my family internist next week and will ask for a referral to see a neurologist. I am really scared. It is so nice how you all so kindly offer help to everyone & share your experiences. I have a brother who has had MS for about 18 years, but he is very fortunate. He was put on beta seron experimentally when it was new, and has been on it ever since. You actually would never know he has MS if you didn't know it, & he works 40 -50 hour weeks & has a fantastic outlook. He of course feels ill every other night of his life due to the shot, but he says it is worth it to not get any worse & be able to keep working & getting around as normal. Do most MS patients go on a med like that? Does everyone get really ill from the shots?
Are most able to lead a pretty normal life? I know 2 people who have had to go to wheelchairs with theirs, but others who seem to function as if they didn't have it like my brother. One isn't taking a med for it & hasn't gotten any worse for several years. I am hoping of course that I don't have it. I also want to be tested for Lymes. That is also an awful disease with many organs affected, including neurological systems. Are there any other diseases which mimic MS symptoms? I took an online test for MS and it had over 57 symptoms. I had about 8 of them, but some could be from my other health issues. Are my symptoms typical of early onset MS? My brother's began with him going blind in one eye.
How did yours begin? Do they usually give you a brain MRI and spinal tap to determine whether you have it or not?
and muscle testing? I dread all of that and am so afraid to find out what it is, yet I know it is best to know so that treatment can be started for whatever it is. I am almost 59 years old, but have been very active. I fear becoming isolated or unable to do things and want to stay connected. Are most of you able to stay pretty active & socially involved?
Thank you so much  for sharing.
deb1023

[slightlybroken]

Yep! I've been through the ringer on the MS mimic blood panels, the MS work up, and several of the rare disease that might cause my symptoms and I'm still going through testing. My doctors realize it's something neuromusclar, but they don't know what it is. I'm still going through the testing for MS because there is no definitive test for MS. Sometimes it's a long process with some people. Others find their diagnosis pretty fast.

If you need questions answered, you've come to the right place. You'll find a lot of support here too, when you need it.

[Deb1023]

Thank you so much for all of the information and the welcome to the forum.
I am petrified to go to the Dr. & dread all of the tests and awaiting the outcomes.
It's all so scary. I have to hope and pray for the best.
Are you still undergoing tests?
Deb1023

[slightlybroken]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum!

It's hard to say if you may or may not have MS or not. Some people present in so many different ways, but the possibility of it all is scary enough. Your best bet is to find a good neuro. Maybe the same one your brother goes to could be a possibility for you. His neuro would know your family history already.

On this forum we have lots of info you might be interested in. Our Health Pages (located in the right upper corner) is loaded with info on the diagnosis process for MS..etc. You will need to have all the MS mimics looked at as well. MS has lots of diseases that mimic it. Lyme is one, but there is Lupus, Sarcoid, Sjogrens, ..and the list goes on. Your doctor will know which ones to run that fits your symptoms. You'll have blood test run for this.

We have a mixed group on the forum. Some of us are diagnosed (DX) with MS. Others are DX with MS mimics, and some of us are limbolanders. I'm a limbolander, meaning, I have no DX at this time.

Stay awhile..and you'll make lots of friends :)