Could I have MS?

[Lance1564]

A little over a month ago I had about a 4 day bout of a serious, cognitive fog.  I simply couldn't call on any information I needed very quickly.  And sometimes I'd have to go on to something else until I remembered what it was that I needed to do.  And when I would read something at work it was very frustrating as it was if the information wasn't translating in my mind.  I found that I'd have to read it over and over until I would finally get it.  I'd never experienced anything like it before.  After about 4 days it started to improve.

However, a few days later I started having extreme discomfort in my pelvic region that has continued to get worse.  Frequent urination, tingling sensations, pain in the perineal region and rectum and so on.  It's been over a month now and nothing has changed.  The pain is still there and extremely uncomfortable.  I'm set up to see a urologist this week.

Today, I'm now having some very unusual symptoms along with the pelvic pain.  I started noticing this morning that I had an unusual weakness in my lower legs and ankles, and it's been persistent all day.  Then, a very sharp shooting pain in my right, big toe woke me up from an afternoon nap (never happened before).  It lasted for about a minute.  Tonight, two of my toes on my left foot are now aching, and I'm having an odd, sharp pain near the rotator cuff of my right shoulder.

I'd like to say I'm just imagining these things, but they are very prevalent and real.  Over the past few weeks an unusual level of fatigue has been a problem as well.

Any insight would be very welcome.  Even as I type this email, I'm finding sentence structure unusually difficult.  I'm finding very unusual mistakes as I go back and proofread.

Thanks

[Karen99]

MS frequently causes a "neurogenic bladder" which manifests itself with frequent urination and/or urine retention or incontinence.  I've known a few MS'ers that had bladder problems as their first symptom.  By what you write, a urologist is probably a good place to start to make sure you don't have an infection or prostate problems.  Any infection can make you very tired. Gout can cause the type of pain you describe in the big toe and other areas of the body.  

I would say get a good over-all check up and don't worry about MS just yet.  There are so many other things that can cause the symptoms you describe.  Good luck and keep yourself hydrated til you see the doc.   :-)

  

[Lulu54]

Lance,
Welcome.  I hope you will take some time to learn more about MS so the testing process is less of a mystery.  We have great information on our health pages, upper right side of this page there is a link.  

Feel free to come back often and ask more questions as you work through this diagnosis.

my best,
Lulu

[Lance1564]

I just wanted to thank both of you for your responses.  They're extremely helpful and it's encouraging to have someone that takes the time to listen.

In regards to testing, I'm preparing to get some of the basic tests for MS.  So hopefully I'll know more over the next few days.

I'll keep you guys posted, and thanks again for your time.  I pray improved health on both of you.

Lance

[saveone]

Hi and let me add my welcome.  I have some questions that may help others to answer.

Have you seen a neurologist or even your general physician?

If so have you had any testing, i.e. blood work, CT, MRI, evoked potentials or nerve testing?

I agree with Pastor Dan's assestment regarding what it is.  Yes it could be MS or any number of other things or any combination there of.  That is why I am asking about the testing.  Has anything been ruled out.

As to your cognitive symptoms, I could have written your description.  I have these and more.  I had a neurophsychological evaluation as have others here and I found mine very useful.  I also know the cognitive stuff can be very frightening.

As to how you structure or type on here don't worry about it.  We can read anything because we all have this problem.  If I had not tried to correct as much as I have you would be shocked at the number of mistakes.  I have an online dictionary bookmarked and set at the top of my browser.  Sometimes even it can figure out what I mean. It is also good for looking up definitions of words that I used to know but now can't find in my brain.  Ess suggested that when My dictionary could not find it to type it in google.  That works really well.

Anyways welcome to the forum.  I look forward to seeing you around

terry

[PastorDan]

Well, as one usually careful about proofreading and sentence structure, I will say that your finished product looks pretty good from here.  I can't say much about the combination of symptoms you list; they sound as though they could all be unrelated, they could be from a combination of assorted illnesses, they could be at least partly a manifestation of MS, and they might be primarily the result of too much stress and too little sleep.  Of course, keep in mind that I'm not a physician at all, and am still pretty new here.  Have you seen a doctor for any of the symptoms you report?

Welcome to the fray, by the way.  This is a caring and knowledgeable assortment of folks; I'm sure there will be others chiming in soon.  Meanwhile, as you're able to do so, I suggest you read through the "Health Pages" section linked at the little yellow button toward the upper right of this page.  They've been very helpful to me.