New and worried

[madgreek123]

Hello everyone.

I'm a 40 year old mother of 3 daughters (2, 3 & 8) and for the past year I've been increasingly worried that I may be suffering from MS.

About a year ago I was suffering from numbness in my fingers which progressively spread to other parts of my body including my lower legs and my left arm and eye. Along with this came regular pins and needles in various areas. The numbness has got somewhat better recently (in my fingers and arms) but I am now suffering from night time spasms and very bad levels of fatigue. The numbness in my legs is still present and leaves me with a surreal feeling.

My short term memory, once one of my strengths, is now very poor.

I have also put on quite a lot of weight in the last year but I believe this to be a side effect of medication that I am taking for another, unrelated, condition. On top of this I'm quite a heavy smoker too.

One thing that has been discovered is that I definitely have some sort of depression in my upper spine that is slightly compressing nerves at that point.

Anyway, through a chain of medical professionals I have ended up seeing a neurologist at my local hospital and have already had two MRI scans which have shown that I have white spots on my brain which I understand to be one of the indicators of MS and she mentioned to me that I could have MS. She is still unsure, though, and has arranged for me to have a lumbar puncture next Friday (8th) at another hospital (to see if there is any inflammation and if it could be anything else, though I don't know what else it could be) and another MRI scan on the top of my spine with enhanced contrast.

MS is a condition about which I think I know quite a bit but, when it comes down to it, I guess I don't really. I do know that my cousin suffered from it.

I understand that there are varying degrees of severity associated with it and the incapacitating effect can be anything from minimal to severe but the uncertainty and the sheer length of time that I've had it are making me extremely worried about my future.

I know that until a full diagnosis is made I shouldn't really get too worked up about it but I can't help the way that I feel.

Anyway, if someone with similar experiences could pen a line or two in support I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks all,
Androulla

[AmishErin]

Welcome to the sight!

Look around lots of nice ppl tons of info and what I think is important... folks who have been where you are and people going through the times that you were just at.

  It's almost like not being alone but in the privacy of your own home.

Hugs

Erin

[madgreek123]

I just want to say thanks very much for your comments and your very kind support.

sllowe - about the spine, the doctors are still uncertain about that too so I'll come on here and let everyone know once that is diagnosed too.

[shelljell]

Hey I joined this forum a little while ago not MS as I had no clue it took me 13 months to get diagnosed ( the dr's wouldn't belive me it wasn't my back as I severly damaged it over 8 yrs ago ) I can tell ya my legs from waist down " fell asleep" and have decided to stay sleeping as they are tired...there are so many things it could be and until you are confirmed try not to stress too much I never experienced the back tap I had an evoked potential test done as I will not allow anything near my back lol...if it does turn out this I know with your children the MS Society here in Canada will send you books for your children ( for their age )  on how to explain to them as well did you know we get a maid for 2 hours every other week?? I have joined the MS Society up here and another bright note is I was the youngest one there ( I am 33 lol ) every one else was like in their 60's so that made me feel really good!!! I will be around as I sometimes need to vent!!! Talk soon..

[LLWB]

Welcome, I know it's so hard to wait for tests, but you did the right first step by seeing a neurologist. The second thing you did right was finding this website. There are a lot of super -great people here, who can give advice and support throughout your diagnosis and afterwards, MS or not. There are a lot of MS mimics which can cause the same symptoms. I ended up with one, instead of MS, so I don't know as much as MS as a lot of others. But I try to help others with their journey.  Good luck with your testing and results. Others will be along shortly, Sunday is usually a slow day here, so don't give up on us.

Maggie

[sllowe]

Hi Androuolla,

You've come to the right spot! We're here for you already, don't worry.

I'm so glad the work-up has begun for you.  Obviously, we cannot say this is, or is not MS, but we sure can relate to what you say, either way. I had the numbness in my hands up to my wrists with my 1st attack, my memory is poor along w/short term retention.  I was diagnosed last year fairly quickly, but didn't believe the Drs very much.

Since then, because of this forum, I learned so much.  But, it's more than that.  You'll find that we are a big family who cares and who are here through the good times and the bad.

I am a smoker too, but the Dr said that is not the cause of brain and spine lesions.  Do you have any lesions within your spinal cord? These too cause all kinds of neurological problems.   What did they specifically say about your upper spine? If it's a compression, surely that could cause you to have arm and hand problems.

I know you are worried, and MS is not curable, but it is treatable, and if it turns out to be MS, we're here, if it is not, we are here.  We can also help you out to be prepared for that spinal tap -  ok? Lots of us have had them.  You have young one's so no matter what the Dr. or hospital tells you, plan to stay put and on your back for the day of, and day after the tap.  That will minimize your chances of getting the horrifying headache that is caused by a leak.  It's a dislodging of sorts from where they take the fluid out.  When the fluid is unbalanced from this, you stand up and get terrible head pain, and if you lay back down, it subsided.  This is the leak that can happen.

Can you get help for your children on Friday and Saturday, and possibly Sunday so you don't have to be up and about? Oh, also, NO steps if you can help it!

Others will pop in soon,
ttys,
Shelly