Does this sound like ms?

Question

My symptoms started 10 mths ago, woke up one morning w/ what felt like electrical shocks going through my body, I was tingling all over, went to ER and said Anxiety, to make my first story short, I was this way for 6 wks, no energy, really weak, tingling,pins & needles but no numbness, did a brain & c-spine mri both normal, neuro said anxiety. My symptoms after 6 weeks went away on their own. Now, 10 months later, I have tingling, pins and needles, eye pain, that came for some time and left, when I swallow it feels like a lump in my throat, floaters, I had trouble focusing with my eyes for a few days but it went away, muscle weakness, fatigue, face tingles, at night sometimes I'll have some involunitary movements, & just in the last few days I have started to say my words that have "th" in it thicker, my legs feel like I've ran a marathon and are real sore, did another brain mri normal, lyme-neg, all blood tests normal, my finger get numb overnight but go away when I awake, is this ms?

I've read on some posts that mri might not show it first, also another symptom I have is burning feet and I just started to have face pain on the left side of my face behind my cheek.

Answer 1

If it was ms, it would off shown in your MRI scan, try asking for a second opinion

Answer 2

I was finally diagnosed with MS about 2- 3 ago, I had some of the same symptoms, as you, (plus a few more) off & on for about 25 yrs. since there IS no specific test for MS, they were unable to diagnose me until it had progressed, and I was unable to walk. THEN they, said it was MS. I had MRI's, a spinal tap, and all the usual tests. The main thing to keep in mind, is all the doctors have to go on,is your symptoms, and all they can do is treat the symptoms There is not a whole lot doctors can do when it comes to neurological problems.But they like to perscribe pills.

And since there is no specific test to says 'you have MS' or 'you don't 'for sure, and since sometimes it doesn't always show up on an MRI til later on, if at all (MRI's don't alwasys cetch it), the best thing you can do, is keep a diary of your symptoms, with the dates and how long symptoms lasted,etc ESPECIALLY if it comes and goes, as MS can sometimes do. Write down any new symptoms you notice, whether it is MS related or not. If it turns out to be something else, this could be helpful to your doctors later on. It also helps, so you don't have to try to remember all the details they ask, like the dates and duration,etc, each time you see a doctor.

There were a couple key things that you mentioned, that caught my attention. The sensations like electrical shocks, definitely indicates a neurological problem, as does the involuntary movements at night.. I have that off & on. The electical shock feelings, is a classic symptom of MS and is found mainly in MS patients, and the involuntary movements at night, are signs of nerve damage. Atleast this is what the doctors told me, when I asked them about it.

I wish I knew your approx. age, and if this is the very first time in your life you've experienced any of these symptoms, or if you were fine for years at a time before you noticed it. If there is any one else in your family tree that has had it, or neurological problems. See, there are different types of MS. There is relapsing-remitting, which is the most common form, that comes and goes. Some people with this form,have only one or two episodes, and live out the rest of their life without any relapses. Then there is a gradual form of Relapsing-Remitting, where you still have ups and down periods, (relapses) but each time is a little worse, with little nerve damage, then there is Progressive/Remitting, where each attack can be debilitating, but you still have periods in between where you are still able to function,even months at a time. Each time, it levels off, but is damaging, as it progresses. This is more rare. Then there is the Progressive form, which there are no relapses-the symptoms never go away but progressively get worse very quickly. As happened to me, which I might add, is extremely rare. As I said, the most common form is Relapsing-Remitting, which many people have, and learn to function around it.

I don't mean to cause too much concern and worry you, but I would have liked to have known these things a long time ago myself. The main thing, is not to dwell on it too much, because stress makes the symptoms of MS worse, and I don't imagine it is too good for any other condition either. Don't look for symptoms, just when you notice something, write it down. If it IS MS, and you are under alot of stress, it takes longer to recover. Also, heat causes fatigue and weakness , even bath water that is too hot.

Other symptoms of MS include, but are not limited to: cognitive problems, short-term memory loss, difficulty urinating, bowel problem, tremor, spasticity, extreme weakness, double vision, twitches, electrical shock like sensations, pins and needles sensations(like being stuck with a sharp pin), burning, stiffness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, tripping or stumbling, mood swings, depression,constipation,incontinentcy, numbness, sexual problems, trouble urinating,bladder infections, sore muscles, unexplained pains. NOTE:[ MS effects each person differently, not everyone with MS has all of these symptoms at one time, and others may have their own unique symptoms, not on this list]

Mine progressed so quickly, that I went from having trouble walking,to walking with hand crutches, to a wheelchair in a month's time. But that's what it took, to finally get a diagnosis. Basically, they told me I had all the symptoms, but they couldn't make a diag. yet. All they could do it treat or "manage the symptoms" until they COULD, & told me to just wait it out.They also explained, that all they could do,even with a diag, is treat the symptoms to help me lead the best life I could. The only difference, is w/ a diag. they can prescribe injections to help slow the progression.

The way I look at it, is "I may have MS, but MS does NOT have ME!!" I'm still the same person I was before MS. MS is something that happened to my body. But that doesn't change who I am...... I just had to learn a little different way to do things, that's all. I look at what I DO have, and what I CAN do. If there's something I want to do, I can usually find a way to do it. Sometimes I just have to be a little more creative, that's all. I can still enjoy a beautiful sunset, I still go camping/fishing, I paint pictures, I love helping other people whenever I can. I have a wonderful husband who loves me. I love life!! That's the person I was before my diagnosis and that's who I am now, and always will be. I just don't let it rule my life! I have a strong faith in God, and I refuse to let MS stop me!

Whether you do have MS or something else, just remember, "It's what, YOU do CAN do, that matters most, not what "IT", can do to you".....michelle

Answer 3

For someone who does have MS, it really sounds like MS.You should really get a second opinion.