MS Possible

[Armygirl73]

Hello there, I am a military wife living abroad, and I have been experiencing "crazy" symptoms for about seven/eight years now. In the past year, the newer symptoms have really disturbed me -- the vertigo, the numbness in fingers and feet, and the burning skin. I went to the military doc who sent me to neuro off base in Germany. I had two MRIs done. The brain showed five small white spots. I was told these were migraine spots, but I can't recall ever having one. I also had a spinal done and there was another white spot near my brain stem area ... don't know if that's related to my head shake that has plagued me on and off for months and years at a time over the past eight years. That head shake was diagnosed as an essential tremor in a five-minute meeting with a doc -- no tests or anything. He did suggest I keep a symptom diary just in case (but didn't say what the "just in case was for"). I have that now, and after all these years, it is about four pages long -- some recurring symptoms that last for weeks, months, even years and then disappear. The new doc said I needed to have a spinal puncture done, but am worried about it especially being overseas. I asked if they thought this was MS (a friend has it and thought that might be my problem) and was told they didn't think it was. But I can't get over these symptoms that come and go. I was feeling fine for awhile so I chickened out of the spinal. I still feel pretty good, but I keep getting this buzzing feeling across the right side of my skull for the past week -- this is new and different than the sharp streaks of pain I used to feel flash across the left side of my skull. Am I going crazy or could this be MS or something else? I didn't care for the German doctors, and the military docs are busy with war patients. We will be back in the states in October, wondering if I should see a doc then or what. Thanks for your help!


This discussion is related to Could I have MS.

[Lulu54]

Hi AG,
Welcome again to the forum here at MedHelp.  I hope you will use us as a link to the medical system here and let everyone walk you thrugh what you can expect when you return stateside in October.

I'm surprised you don't have orders yet, but they should be coming soon.  I know getting an appt. set at your next post is unrealistic until you are actually here.  The way the military medical system works is so frustrating, but you have to work with them to get your needs met.  

I just heard of a friend's friend in the same situation as you - except they were stationed in Kazakistan (sp?) and she was sent to Germany for testing.  Kind of the same results too - told to watch because it might be MILD MS.

I can identify with your scalp symptoms.  Mine never last but I have at times felt like my scalp was being peeled away from the skull bone.  Fun, huh>  There's also the jabbing ice pick pain.  And my favorite, feeling like someone has dumped a bucket of water over my head - thankfully it usually feels like tap warm and not iced.!  The strangest part is it always affects just one side or the other and not both.  

Keep in mind that MS usually won't kill you and there is not the time urgency in getting treatment like you would have with heart disease or cancer.  You should be fine waiting to see a MS specialist until you return this fall, but please don't hesitate to go to the German hospital again if you have new or severe  problems with you exisiting symptoms.

Stay in touch with us here - we'll be happy to chat, hold your hand and do whatever elsee is necessary to pass the time.

be well,
Lulu

[Armygirl73]

Yeah ... you understood it right. I guess our unpopular reputation is pretty wide around here now. We've had similiar experiences in France (not with doctors of course, just visiting) but everyone around here says that's pretty common.

I can't wait to get home. I have really enjoyed the traveling, but certainly not the perception of what "Americans" are like. The lady also told me that Americans move into her neighborhood saying they will leave having learned to speak German, but only know how to ask for beer and brats. I was severely upset by this, and said that she shouldn't take everyone at face value only ... for example ... I speak German. She didn't care though. Oh well. What can you do?

I will definitely take your advice. I am looking forward to being home for that and lots of other reasons. Thanks again!

[Sarahsmom46]

OK, wait a minute.  WTF!  Pardon my acronym, but what did that nurse tell you about Americans coming to "her" hospital?  We, unlike the citizens of tha country, pay cash for our medical appointments, at least in our case we paid cash.  And, they like seeing paying customers.  So what was up with that comment unless I just misunderstood?  Good thing your husbands tour is almost over.  

You do need a thorough workup for MS from the way you are describing your symptoms.  The symptoms can be mimicking something else of course, but MS would be at the top of list of possibilities especially in your age group + the brain lesions.  

Its too bad you guys don't know where you'll be going but when you do start doing your homework to see about getting an appointment after you get settled.  

In the meantime, keep the diary of your symptoms as that is an excellent source of history to give your new doctor.  

Have you had a chance to read our MS Health Pages yet?  You will find the link in the upper irght corner of this page.  Again, hang in there while you sort through all this.  

Julie

P.S.  Glad you are here too.  You will find the members to be so helpful as well as smart.  :)

[Armygirl73]

Thanks for your quick response ... sometimes I really do feel crazy. I take it you are a military spouse too?

The buzzing comes and goes throughout the day, but it has been daily recently. I experienced this before on the other side of my skull, but it was painful then like a shock. This is more of a buzzing, crawling thing ... hard to explain. It seems to creep up the side to a point and then fades out. It kinda gives me goosebumps.

I don't know where we are headed yet, but I really want to get seen again. I just can't shake the feelings I've experienced here off base. I even had one nurse there tell me how she couldn't stand that they let Americans come to her hospital. I felt even more miserable being there. I know that isn't everyone's feelings ... but when they are the ones that are supposed to care for you, it feels pretty overwhelming.

Thanks for your help! I'm really glad I find this site.

Take care!

[Sarahsmom46]

Welcome to the MS forum.  We are so happy you found us.  

So, I assume you are still living in Germany right now.  I can relate to the situation you are in as we lived in Wiesbaden for 3 years and had to deal with busy military doctors and the local doctors with neither being that helpful when I started having my symptoms.

If it were me, and knowing that you'll be returning to the US in October, I'd try to line up appointments with a neurologist before you come back as the wait times can be that long.  Do you guys know where you will be stationed yet?

Has the buzzing sensation in your head been continuous or intermittent?  I haven't had this symptom myself, but others from our group might come along and be able to relate to it.  It is something you should probably get checked out there though especially if is concerning you and it would me.

As far as your symptoms being MS or something else is hard to say at this point, but it looks like you will need a new series of MRIs and the spinal tap would most likely be ordered too.  I wouldn't be concerned about doing a spinal overseas as it is a pretty straightforward procedure.  The information could be very helpful as well.

I hope this helps.  I'm sure others will be along soon to offer up their feedback.  Again, welcome to our forum.

Be well,

Julie