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Could this be MS?
I have put together a timeline that begins in 2000. I have been suffering for many years now and still no diagnosis. I was wondering if anyone might be able to tell me if this could be MS? or maybe something else?
I apologize that it is so long.
2000: This episode happened during the summer and was a Mild episode that included loss of concentration, brain fog, muscle weakness and pain and severe fatigue. Saw my family doctor who diagnosed Fibromyalgia and began treating me with Fibroplex, Celexa, Vioxx and Zanaflex
2002: In march of this year I began having the same symptoms as before, they came on quickly. I went back into my doctor and he continued the medications listed previously. This episode lasted about 2 weeks and I bounced back fairly quickly.
2003: October--- same symptoms listed previously, also came on quickly. Saw my doctor again and voiced my concerns that this may be MS as we had a family member (1st cousin) that has MS. He was concerned as well. I could not get an MRI at this point as I had no insurance. Stopped taking meds previously listed as they were not helping.
2004:
February- recently married, now had insurance, this episode worse than before : severe fatigue, tremors( first time), dizziness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty swallowing, gait disturbance, zoning out, difficulty talking(forgetting words) and bowel problems. New doctor concerned might be MS, wanted to rule out Lupus first. Put in referral to Rheumatologist.
April- Having another episode, symptoms same as listed above, just as severe. Doctor sent me to Rheumatologist. Rheumatologist diagnosed polyarthralgia, fatigue and Raynauds. ANA was positive 1:640 with a speckled pattern, all other blood work negative.
October- having another episode, doctor noted bilateral shaking in legs, loss of balance, tremors throughout body and failed Romberg test: Also having severe fatigue and loss of concentration and difficulty swallowing. Put in a referral to Neurology.
November – saw Neurologist. Would not listen to my symptoms and said they thought it was Poss Intermittent Claudication with Diminished Circulation Ultrasounds = Normal , no evidence of plaque formation nor stenosis Did not seem concerned about other symptoms as they had cleared up
2005: Moved to CA and now seeing new doctors. December - Severe Fatigue, muscle pain, tremors throught entire body, difficulty concentrating, swallowing difficulty, gait disturbance, and memory loss (forgetting everything) new doctors wanted to rule out Lupus again. Put in request for bloodwork. ANA 1:80 all others normal. Doctors did no follow up.
2007: August – same type of symptoms listed prior, went in to see new doctors (happens a lot with military docs) They ordered Ordered Neck CT: Impression: Normal Soft Tissue Neck Symptoms went away..no follow up
2009:
August – same symptoms as listed prior, more severe this time, episode came on really fast. Went in to see doctor, this one also new as we had moved, This episode lasted almost a month, the longest episode I have had. Doctor did not want to put in a neuro referral because he thought it was bursitis.
October- Another episode just as bad as previous one, was able to get a new doctor. Doctor saw how bad the tremors were and put in a referral for Neurology and Rheumatology. This episode has new symptoms: tingling in legs, burning in legs, and squeezing sensation in legs and chest, also total numbness in right leg that would last several hours. Issues talking included not remembering words and stuttering and loss of balance caused me to fall several time. Doctor ordered forearm crutches.
November: Had MRI Impression: 3mm focus of chronic white matter ischemic change within the right periatrial white matter tracts Neurologist stated these are normal aging spots. My doctor did not agree and sent me to another Neurologist
December: saw new neurologist he said spots are from Migraines, but I do not suffer from migraines, told him that, he told me he does not have any answers and that my symptoms do not match MS symptoms. I told him there is a cousin with MS and there may be other MS in family, he still told me that my symptoms are not MS symptoms, I asked about the tremor, he said it is essential tremor, I told him I only have tremors during flare, he still called it essential tremor, I decided to leave.
Saw Rheumatologist: he ran blood work ANA 1:80 all other tests negative. Ruled out Connective Tissue Disease.
I have had a positive (i fall when I close my eyes..I think that means positive?) Romberg and a Neutral Babinski test as well.
'Thank you so much.
I apologize that it is so long.
2000: This episode happened during the summer and was a Mild episode that included loss of concentration, brain fog, muscle weakness and pain and severe fatigue. Saw my family doctor who diagnosed Fibromyalgia and began treating me with Fibroplex, Celexa, Vioxx and Zanaflex
2002: In march of this year I began having the same symptoms as before, they came on quickly. I went back into my doctor and he continued the medications listed previously. This episode lasted about 2 weeks and I bounced back fairly quickly.
2003: October--- same symptoms listed previously, also came on quickly. Saw my doctor again and voiced my concerns that this may be MS as we had a family member (1st cousin) that has MS. He was concerned as well. I could not get an MRI at this point as I had no insurance. Stopped taking meds previously listed as they were not helping.
2004:
February- recently married, now had insurance, this episode worse than before : severe fatigue, tremors( first time), dizziness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty swallowing, gait disturbance, zoning out, difficulty talking(forgetting words) and bowel problems. New doctor concerned might be MS, wanted to rule out Lupus first. Put in referral to Rheumatologist.
April- Having another episode, symptoms same as listed above, just as severe. Doctor sent me to Rheumatologist. Rheumatologist diagnosed polyarthralgia, fatigue and Raynauds. ANA was positive 1:640 with a speckled pattern, all other blood work negative.
October- having another episode, doctor noted bilateral shaking in legs, loss of balance, tremors throughout body and failed Romberg test: Also having severe fatigue and loss of concentration and difficulty swallowing. Put in a referral to Neurology.
November – saw Neurologist. Would not listen to my symptoms and said they thought it was Poss Intermittent Claudication with Diminished Circulation Ultrasounds = Normal , no evidence of plaque formation nor stenosis Did not seem concerned about other symptoms as they had cleared up
2005: Moved to CA and now seeing new doctors. December - Severe Fatigue, muscle pain, tremors throught entire body, difficulty concentrating, swallowing difficulty, gait disturbance, and memory loss (forgetting everything) new doctors wanted to rule out Lupus again. Put in request for bloodwork. ANA 1:80 all others normal. Doctors did no follow up.
2007: August – same type of symptoms listed prior, went in to see new doctors (happens a lot with military docs) They ordered Ordered Neck CT: Impression: Normal Soft Tissue Neck Symptoms went away..no follow up
2009:
August – same symptoms as listed prior, more severe this time, episode came on really fast. Went in to see doctor, this one also new as we had moved, This episode lasted almost a month, the longest episode I have had. Doctor did not want to put in a neuro referral because he thought it was bursitis.
October- Another episode just as bad as previous one, was able to get a new doctor. Doctor saw how bad the tremors were and put in a referral for Neurology and Rheumatology. This episode has new symptoms: tingling in legs, burning in legs, and squeezing sensation in legs and chest, also total numbness in right leg that would last several hours. Issues talking included not remembering words and stuttering and loss of balance caused me to fall several time. Doctor ordered forearm crutches.
November: Had MRI Impression: 3mm focus of chronic white matter ischemic change within the right periatrial white matter tracts Neurologist stated these are normal aging spots. My doctor did not agree and sent me to another Neurologist
December: saw new neurologist he said spots are from Migraines, but I do not suffer from migraines, told him that, he told me he does not have any answers and that my symptoms do not match MS symptoms. I told him there is a cousin with MS and there may be other MS in family, he still told me that my symptoms are not MS symptoms, I asked about the tremor, he said it is essential tremor, I told him I only have tremors during flare, he still called it essential tremor, I decided to leave.
Saw Rheumatologist: he ran blood work ANA 1:80 all other tests negative. Ruled out Connective Tissue Disease.
I have had a positive (i fall when I close my eyes..I think that means positive?) Romberg and a Neutral Babinski test as well.
'Thank you so much.
Thank you. I went to the Mayo Clinic in FL where she diagnosed Possible MS, but they did not do the EMG or the EP because I had to come home, so now I am waiting to get those done here in town. I will keep going until I know for sure what is going on!
go to another doctor. if that does not work go to another doctor MS take usually 5 years to diagnose but if you can get the right test it can be quick
tell them you feel it is ms you want MRI nerve function test EEG brain at last resort A lumbar puncture. do not give up
tell them you feel it is ms you want MRI nerve function test EEG brain at last resort A lumbar puncture. do not give up
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