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MS?
MS?
I'm hoping to get some opinions to whether my symptoms could be MS. I'm a 47 year old female. Six months ago I began having burning pain in both legs and continue to. Gradually more symptoms have come along with that. I have twitching especially in my legs and twitches throughout various parts of my body. I also have painful leg cramps in both legs and atrophy in my right calf. My legs are very weak, so much to the point where I can not even shop for groceries or do other shopping without using a wheelchair or scooter some stores provide. I also have a tight feeling around the left knee kind of like it has a tight elastic bandage wrapped around it. Many times throughout the day I have involuntary jumping especially in my limbs and even in other parts of my body. At times my hands even "overshoot" what I am trying to do because they feel a little out of control of what I am trying to do, such as typing this. Three time in the past week I have had mild head bobbing. My daughters even noticed this. The first time was for about 35 minutes, the second time for 20 minutes and the last for about 5 minutes.
Over the last three days I have had mild numbness in the thumb. The last couple of years I have been having trouble concentrating and thinking of the words I want to say. That has even worsened during the last couple of months.
I had an EMG about a month ago on my legs and low back to see in the problems in my legs could be caused by two bulging disks but it was negative. I have also had blood tests to check my B-12 levels, thyroid, for diabetes, and etc. All normal.
I have not been able to work since about mid March and was let go from my job (that I loved) less than a week ago because of my symptoms. Very frustrated.
Anyone have any opinions on what might be wrong?
I'm hoping to get some opinions to whether my symptoms could be MS. I'm a 47 year old female. Six months ago I began having burning pain in both legs and continue to. Gradually more symptoms have come along with that. I have twitching especially in my legs and twitches throughout various parts of my body. I also have painful leg cramps in both legs and atrophy in my right calf. My legs are very weak, so much to the point where I can not even shop for groceries or do other shopping without using a wheelchair or scooter some stores provide. I also have a tight feeling around the left knee kind of like it has a tight elastic bandage wrapped around it. Many times throughout the day I have involuntary jumping especially in my limbs and even in other parts of my body. At times my hands even "overshoot" what I am trying to do because they feel a little out of control of what I am trying to do, such as typing this. Three time in the past week I have had mild head bobbing. My daughters even noticed this. The first time was for about 35 minutes, the second time for 20 minutes and the last for about 5 minutes.
Over the last three days I have had mild numbness in the thumb. The last couple of years I have been having trouble concentrating and thinking of the words I want to say. That has even worsened during the last couple of months.
I had an EMG about a month ago on my legs and low back to see in the problems in my legs could be caused by two bulging disks but it was negative. I have also had blood tests to check my B-12 levels, thyroid, for diabetes, and etc. All normal.
I have not been able to work since about mid March and was let go from my job (that I loved) less than a week ago because of my symptoms. Very frustrated.
Anyone have any opinions on what might be wrong?
Well, I finally got brave and left a message with the nurse at my PCP office to see if I could get a referel for an MRI. I'm almost painfully shy so I have a hard time making a request. I just keep thinking, as the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Hope my "squeaking" helps.
My sister was speaking with her PCP (who she is also very good friends with), and she was telling him about my symptoms. He told my sis that I need to "push" for more tests. So thats what I'm trying to do.
Getting desperate for some kind of answers, whatever it my turn out to be.
My sister was speaking with her PCP (who she is also very good friends with), and she was telling him about my symptoms. He told my sis that I need to "push" for more tests. So thats what I'm trying to do.
Getting desperate for some kind of answers, whatever it my turn out to be.
Thanks for your response.
Yes. It's both legs. The right being the worst.
Basically my blood tests have ruled out other diseases that have similar symptoms to MS. Thankfully I don't have Lupus, ALS, or Myasthenia Gravis. That's all been ruled out by the tests. Praise God!
Do people with MS usually have a high SED Rate?
Yes. It's both legs. The right being the worst.
Basically my blood tests have ruled out other diseases that have similar symptoms to MS. Thankfully I don't have Lupus, ALS, or Myasthenia Gravis. That's all been ruled out by the tests. Praise God!
Do people with MS usually have a high SED Rate?
these blood tests would not tell you if you had MS.....you do have to rule out the mimic diseases.
you speak of your limbs in "plural" or bilateral. MS typically, but not always, picks one side or the other.
it is not always something you can pinpoint soon. It often takes quite a while to diagnose. You've been given some good answers and suggestions by other forum members. But just be patient, it is often lengthy to rule out the many things that often look just look like MS.
We hope that you do not have to join our club, its not one that anyone wants to join but we are here and invite you to share what you find out, we all learn from each other.
you speak of your limbs in "plural" or bilateral. MS typically, but not always, picks one side or the other.
it is not always something you can pinpoint soon. It often takes quite a while to diagnose. You've been given some good answers and suggestions by other forum members. But just be patient, it is often lengthy to rule out the many things that often look just look like MS.
We hope that you do not have to join our club, its not one that anyone wants to join but we are here and invite you to share what you find out, we all learn from each other.
Hi All!
Well, it's been a month since I went to see the neurologist. Still having the awful, painful aching and burning in my legs and feet, cramping and twitching and weakness. When my legs and feet are really painful I don't like anyone to even touch them because they feel so tender. I am now having the tight feeling in my right leg as well but over a much larger area. Still have occasional mild numbness in right thumb. Also occasional involuntary jerking and twitching throughout the day which can happening anywhere on my body but mostly in my limbs. I have been having off and on right eye pain but I've had that for over a year now. That comes and goes. No more head bobbing or facial numbness. Yea! That's an improvment. The neurologist prescribed amitriptyline. It just takes the edge off but doesn't help a lot. He sent me to the lab where they drew 12 tubes of blood from me then sent me on my way.
I thought I would list the results of the blood tests and get any opinions on what thoughts anyone may have.
ESR (Sed Rate) --High
Glucose Tolerance 2 HR with glucose drink--Pre-diabetic at 148 mg/dL
Vitamin B12--High at >1550 pg/ml
RPR Qualitative-VDRL--Nonreactive
Protein Electrophoresis--Protein Total 6.5 g/dl (Reference 6.5-8.2)
Albumin 4.20 g/dl (Reference 3.5-5.5)
Alpha 1 Globulin 0.20 g/dl (Reference 0.1-0.4)
Alpha 2 Globulin 0.70 g/dl (Reference 0.4-0.9)
Beta Globulin 0.80 g/dl (Reference 0.6-1.2)
Gamma Globulin 0.70 g/dl (Reference 0.7-1.7)
ANA Screen--Negative
Heavy Metal Screen Demog--Negative
Methylmalonic Acid-- Result 0.13 (Reference <=0.40)
Thiamin B1--Result 149 (Reference 70-180)
Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate B6--Result 31 (Reference 5-50)
Myasthenia Gravis Panel--Normal
I guess my question is, with these results, could I still possibly have MS?
My sister has been pushing me to call my PC doctor and request that she send me for and MRI of my head. My neurologist hasn't ordered it and I don't go back to see him until mid December and honestly I am tired of pain and the "weirdness" of my body that has been going on for coming on 8 months now.
Question 2: Should I push my PC doctor to send me for a head MRI or wait until my neurologist appointment. The pain is just exhausting me!
Friends, take care!! :)
Well, it's been a month since I went to see the neurologist. Still having the awful, painful aching and burning in my legs and feet, cramping and twitching and weakness. When my legs and feet are really painful I don't like anyone to even touch them because they feel so tender. I am now having the tight feeling in my right leg as well but over a much larger area. Still have occasional mild numbness in right thumb. Also occasional involuntary jerking and twitching throughout the day which can happening anywhere on my body but mostly in my limbs. I have been having off and on right eye pain but I've had that for over a year now. That comes and goes. No more head bobbing or facial numbness. Yea! That's an improvment. The neurologist prescribed amitriptyline. It just takes the edge off but doesn't help a lot. He sent me to the lab where they drew 12 tubes of blood from me then sent me on my way.
I thought I would list the results of the blood tests and get any opinions on what thoughts anyone may have.
ESR (Sed Rate) --High
Glucose Tolerance 2 HR with glucose drink--Pre-diabetic at 148 mg/dL
Vitamin B12--High at >1550 pg/ml
RPR Qualitative-VDRL--Nonreactive
Protein Electrophoresis--Protein Total 6.5 g/dl (Reference 6.5-8.2)
Albumin 4.20 g/dl (Reference 3.5-5.5)
Alpha 1 Globulin 0.20 g/dl (Reference 0.1-0.4)
Alpha 2 Globulin 0.70 g/dl (Reference 0.4-0.9)
Beta Globulin 0.80 g/dl (Reference 0.6-1.2)
Gamma Globulin 0.70 g/dl (Reference 0.7-1.7)
ANA Screen--Negative
Heavy Metal Screen Demog--Negative
Methylmalonic Acid-- Result 0.13 (Reference <=0.40)
Thiamin B1--Result 149 (Reference 70-180)
Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate B6--Result 31 (Reference 5-50)
Myasthenia Gravis Panel--Normal
I guess my question is, with these results, could I still possibly have MS?
My sister has been pushing me to call my PC doctor and request that she send me for and MRI of my head. My neurologist hasn't ordered it and I don't go back to see him until mid December and honestly I am tired of pain and the "weirdness" of my body that has been going on for coming on 8 months now.
Question 2: Should I push my PC doctor to send me for a head MRI or wait until my neurologist appointment. The pain is just exhausting me!
Friends, take care!! :)
Went to see the neurologist today. Don't really have any answers. He sent me to the lab and they drew 12 tubes of blood. Yikes! Never been milked for so many before.
Does anyone have any ideas of why they might be testing for?
Does anyone have any ideas of why they might be testing for?
Exaggerated, or brisk, reflexes can be a symptom of MS. They can also be caused by many other things.
Reflexes are controlled by your nerves. Anything that can effect nerves can also effect your reflexes.
For what it's worth, a slight tap of the hammer under my left knee sent my foot through the ceiling. My right leg? The very picture of inert :-)
Kyle
Reflexes are controlled by your nerves. Anything that can effect nerves can also effect your reflexes.
For what it's worth, a slight tap of the hammer under my left knee sent my foot through the ceiling. My right leg? The very picture of inert :-)
Kyle
Saw my primary care doctor yesterday. She is referring me to see a neurologist. Praise God she was able to get an appointment for me this Wednesday! I just pray that the neurologist can give me some kind of answers. Six and a half months of my symptoms are driving me nuts!
I have a question for you experts. When my doctor checked my knee relexes, my right knee had a very over exaggerated reflex but yet my left knee just had a fairly small reflex. Can this be a symptom of MS?
I have a question for you experts. When my doctor checked my knee relexes, my right knee had a very over exaggerated reflex but yet my left knee just had a fairly small reflex. Can this be a symptom of MS?
While you are waiting for an appointment with a neurologist, you might ask your PCP for Lyme Disease testing. It is definitely in IA, so don't believe it if a doc says, "There's no Lyme here."
This link to the Iowa Lyme Disease association might be helpful. Lyme Disease mimics many other diseases, especially autoimmune disorders, so it is only one of several things your doctors should be testing you for based on your symptoms and history.
http://www.iowalymedisease.com/
This link to the Iowa Lyme Disease association might be helpful. Lyme Disease mimics many other diseases, especially autoimmune disorders, so it is only one of several things your doctors should be testing you for based on your symptoms and history.
http://www.iowalymedisease.com/
Thank you Wobbly and Guitar_grrrl for responding. My pain specialist currently has put be on Gagapentin to see if it helps with the pain. My pharmacist told me that if it's going to help it should take about two weeks before I would get results (It's been 13 days today and no relief thus far). I have read on the internet it can take 2 to 4 weeks. I know I'm impatient.
My pain specialist mentioned the possibility of MS but of course that can't be determined without the proper testing. My pain specialist is moving out of state so he has turned my care over to my PCP and has sent her a message with his recommendation that she send me to a Neurologist if the Gagapentin doesn't improve the pain. I have an appointment with my PCP for a follow-up on this medication on September 24th.
I'm admittedly frustrated not having any answers to what is wrong. It's been six months of symptoms that are only growing. It's been a long summer feeling the way I do and also not being able to participate in the activities I'd like to with my family.
Again, thank you for throwing a note back at me!
My pain specialist mentioned the possibility of MS but of course that can't be determined without the proper testing. My pain specialist is moving out of state so he has turned my care over to my PCP and has sent her a message with his recommendation that she send me to a Neurologist if the Gagapentin doesn't improve the pain. I have an appointment with my PCP for a follow-up on this medication on September 24th.
I'm admittedly frustrated not having any answers to what is wrong. It's been six months of symptoms that are only growing. It's been a long summer feeling the way I do and also not being able to participate in the activities I'd like to with my family.
Again, thank you for throwing a note back at me!
Hi, there, and Welcome! Wobbly has asked some good questions. I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten, and losing your job on top of it doesn't help at all! :(
In the mean time, have a look at our health pages (link on right side of this page). They're packed with all kinds of good info.
Keep in touch!
In the mean time, have a look at our health pages (link on right side of this page). They're packed with all kinds of good info.
Keep in touch!
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