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Possible MS?
Hunter_Ryan_Mama posted:
Hi Everyone,
My name is Heather. I am a 25 year old mother of 3, who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in January 2009. The rheumatologist ruled out Lupus & Lymes Disease, before concluding that I was suffering from Fibromyalgia. I suffered with pain for over 5 years, and was told repeatedly that it was "all in my head" or that I was "faking for pain medications" Four months after being diagnosed, I became pregnant. I was forced to discontinue all medications and went into a "remission" of symptoms during my pregnancy. I delivered in January 2010, and started my meds back up afterwards.
In March 2010, I began to develop new symptoms. While walking through a grocery store, the right side of my face went numb. The numbness travelled down my right arm to my hand, and I ended up dropping a jar of tomato sauce in the middle of the aisle. The numbness continued for almost a week. I made an appointment with my rheumatologist, and after hearing my symptoms, suggested I see a neurologist.
Due to some family issues, I have been unable to see a neurologist. For the last week, I have developed new and, quite frankly, frightening symptoms. The numbness has returned, in both arms, my legs, my back. I have weakness in my hands and wrists, and I am unable to lift anything heavier than a fork. I cannot make a fist or grip anything. Walking any distance positively exhausts me. I have developed severe night sweats (I find myself in a pool of sweat every morning) I have developed insomnia - it is near impossible for me to fall asleep before 5am. I have severe migraines, which migraine medication does not help. My eyes throb constantly and my vision is blurry. Today, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably for 15 minutes. (and as I type this, my hands are beginning to shake again) I am constantly exhausted, regardless of how much sleep I get. I am in constant, severe pain -simply laying in bed causes constant, throbbing pain. I am constantly dizzy or swaying while standing/walking. I am also developing constant itching sensations, to the point where I am making myself bleed.
I am seriously considering going to the ER, as my doctors office does not have an available appointment until next week. Without a visit to my doctor, I cannot obtain a referral to a neurologist. Before I make a decision, I would like some feedback from members of the MS community. Does this sound like MS symptoms? Would you recommend going to the ER or should I wait for the doctors appointment? Any feedback is appreciated and welcomed! Thank you so much.
My name is Heather. I am a 25 year old mother of 3, who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in January 2009. The rheumatologist ruled out Lupus & Lymes Disease, before concluding that I was suffering from Fibromyalgia. I suffered with pain for over 5 years, and was told repeatedly that it was "all in my head" or that I was "faking for pain medications" Four months after being diagnosed, I became pregnant. I was forced to discontinue all medications and went into a "remission" of symptoms during my pregnancy. I delivered in January 2010, and started my meds back up afterwards.
In March 2010, I began to develop new symptoms. While walking through a grocery store, the right side of my face went numb. The numbness travelled down my right arm to my hand, and I ended up dropping a jar of tomato sauce in the middle of the aisle. The numbness continued for almost a week. I made an appointment with my rheumatologist, and after hearing my symptoms, suggested I see a neurologist.
Due to some family issues, I have been unable to see a neurologist. For the last week, I have developed new and, quite frankly, frightening symptoms. The numbness has returned, in both arms, my legs, my back. I have weakness in my hands and wrists, and I am unable to lift anything heavier than a fork. I cannot make a fist or grip anything. Walking any distance positively exhausts me. I have developed severe night sweats (I find myself in a pool of sweat every morning) I have developed insomnia - it is near impossible for me to fall asleep before 5am. I have severe migraines, which migraine medication does not help. My eyes throb constantly and my vision is blurry. Today, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably for 15 minutes. (and as I type this, my hands are beginning to shake again) I am constantly exhausted, regardless of how much sleep I get. I am in constant, severe pain -simply laying in bed causes constant, throbbing pain. I am constantly dizzy or swaying while standing/walking. I am also developing constant itching sensations, to the point where I am making myself bleed.
I am seriously considering going to the ER, as my doctors office does not have an available appointment until next week. Without a visit to my doctor, I cannot obtain a referral to a neurologist. Before I make a decision, I would like some feedback from members of the MS community. Does this sound like MS symptoms? Would you recommend going to the ER or should I wait for the doctors appointment? Any feedback is appreciated and welcomed! Thank you so much.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Possible MS?Hi Everyone,<br /><br />My name is Heather. I am a 25 year old mother of 3, who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in January 2009. The rheumatologist ruled out Lupus & Lymes Disease, before concluding that I was suffering from Fibromyalgia. I suffered with pain for over 5 years, and was told repeatedly that it was "all in my head" or that I was "faking for pain medications" Four months after being diagnosed, I became pregnant. I was forced to discontinue all medications and went into a "remission" of symptoms during my pregnancy. I delivered in January 2010, and started my meds back up afterwards. <br /><br />In March 2010, I began to develop new symptoms. While walking through a grocery store, the right side of my face went numb. The numbness travelled down my right arm to my hand, and I ended up dropping a jar of tomato sauce in the middle of the aisle. The numbness continued for almost a week. I made an appointment with my rheumatologist, and after hearing my symptoms, suggested I see a neurologist. <br /><br />Due to some family issues, I have been unable to see a neurologist. For the last week, I have developed new and, quite frankly, frightening symptoms. The numbness has returned, in both arms, my legs, my back. I have weakness in my hands and wrists, and I am unable to lift anything heavier than a fork. I cannot make a fist or grip anything. Walking any distance positively exhausts me. I have developed severe night sweats (I find myself in a pool of sweat every morning) I have developed insomnia - it is near impossible for me to fall asleep before 5am. I have severe migraines, which migraine medication does not help. My eyes throb constantly and my vision is blurry. Today, my hands began to tremble uncontrollably for 15 minutes. (and as I type this, my hands are beginning to shake again) I am constantly exhausted, regardless of how much sleep I get. I am in constant, severe pain -simply laying in bed causes constant, throbbing pain. I am constantly dizzy or swaying while standing/walking. I am also developing constant itching sensations, to the point where I am making myself bleed.<br /><br />I am seriously considering going to the ER, as my doctors office does not have an available appointment until next week. Without a visit to my doctor, I cannot obtain a referral to a neurologist. Before I make a decision, I would like some feedback from members of the MS community. Does this sound like MS symptoms? Would you recommend going to the ER or should I wait for the doctors appointment? Any feedback is appreciated and welcomed! Thank you so much.
Csewhappy responded:
Hi Heather,
Without hesitation, with all the symptoms that you mention, I would head for the ER as soon as I possibly could. This isn't to frighten you, but you seriously need to get yourself looked at as quickly as possible. I can't begin to understand how the doctor couldn't fit you in somehow!!
In brief, the symptoms that you mention could be caused by MS; however, they could be caused by many other things too.
We do have an MS expert who tends to pop in once a week on a Friday - Dr Lava - so by all means, ask specific advice from him (including his name in the subject title)... but don't wait for a reply - you can always read it later if ER send you home.
My plan from this moment, if it were me, would be:
1. Arrange babysitter(s) and collection/drop off of little ones
2.Pack overnight bag/book/purse/taxi fare etc. (just in case)
3.Get hubby to take me to ER or,
4.Taxi to ER
You DO need an urgent review ... off you go and good luck. Pop back and let us know how you get on.
Very best wishes,
Carol
Without hesitation, with all the symptoms that you mention, I would head for the ER as soon as I possibly could. This isn't to frighten you, but you seriously need to get yourself looked at as quickly as possible. I can't begin to understand how the doctor couldn't fit you in somehow!!
In brief, the symptoms that you mention could be caused by MS; however, they could be caused by many other things too.
We do have an MS expert who tends to pop in once a week on a Friday - Dr Lava - so by all means, ask specific advice from him (including his name in the subject title)... but don't wait for a reply - you can always read it later if ER send you home.
My plan from this moment, if it were me, would be:
1. Arrange babysitter(s) and collection/drop off of little ones
2.Pack overnight bag/book/purse/taxi fare etc. (just in case)
3.Get hubby to take me to ER or,
4.Taxi to ER
You DO need an urgent review ... off you go and good luck. Pop back and let us know how you get on.
Very best wishes,
Carol
Report This| Share this:Possible MS?Hi Heather,<br /><br />Without hesitation, with all the symptoms that you mention, I would head for the ER as soon as I possibly could. This isn't to frighten you, but you seriously need to get yourself looked at as quickly as possible. I can't begin to understand how the doctor couldn't fit you in somehow!!<br /><br />In brief, the symptoms that you mention could be caused by MS; however, they could be caused by many other things too.<br /><br />We do have an MS expert who tends to pop in once a week on a Friday - Dr Lava - so by all means, ask specific advice from him (including his name in the subject title)... but don't wait for a reply - you can always read it later if ER send you home. <br /><br />My plan from this moment, if it were me, would be:<br />1. Arrange babysitter(s) and collection/drop off of little ones<br />2.Pack overnight bag/book/purse/taxi fare etc. (just in case)<br />3.Get hubby to take me to ER or,<br />4.Taxi to ER <br /><br />You DO need an urgent review ... off you go and good luck. Pop back and let us know how you get on.<br /><br />Very best wishes,<br />Carol
Neil S Lava, MD responded:
I have to agree that if your family doctor can not see you today, you should go to an ER and have these symptoms checked out. In fact, I am hoping that since you posted your message 16 hours ago, that you are already at the ER.
Report This| Share this:Possible MS?I have to agree that if your family doctor can not see you today, you should go to an ER and have these symptoms checked out. In fact, I am hoping that since you posted your message 16 hours ago, that you are already at the ER.
Hunter_Ryan_Mama replied to Neil S Lava, MD's response:
Thank you for your reply Dr. Lava. I went to the ER on Friday night and I got no answers. Bloodwork (standard CBC, Chem, etc) came back clean. No elevated white blood cell count, so no infection. They did a CT scan of my head and it came back clean. I have an appointment with my GP on Wednesday to go over my symptoms, hopefully get something to help with the severe pain & muscle spasms. They are giving me a referral to a neurologist for further testing.
Report This| Share this:Possible MS?Thank you for your reply Dr. Lava. I went to the ER on Friday night and I got no answers. Bloodwork (standard CBC, Chem, etc) came back clean. No elevated white blood cell count, so no infection. They did a CT scan of my head and it came back clean. I have an appointment with my GP on Wednesday to go over my symptoms, hopefully get something to help with the severe pain & muscle spasms. They are giving me a referral to a neurologist for further testing.
Molly2517 responded:
Hi Heather, I am in a similar situation as you. I am 31 with 3 children and on July 20th went to the emergency room because my whole left side went numb on me. It was a pretty scary feeling. They kept me in the hospital for 2 days did all sorts of tests on me. Blood work, MRI, MRA, x-ray, echo etc. Everything came back fine except my Lyme came back some what abnormal. Was sent out again but came back normal. Apparently they told me it was a false positive. Symptoms went away 5 days later. Thought I was fine until a week later numbness started in my face and progressively got worse. It would travel into my arms, legs, neck etc. I began to feel fatigues and tired. Muscles felt very weak and by day 4 I felt like I was hit by a bus. Yesterday was probably my best day. I also have nerve pain as well. Saw a neurologist yesterday morning and she is ordering more MRIs and MRI with contrast and maybe a spinal.
I had (prior to seeing the neurologist) been going crazy with my symptoms. I saw my primary this past Monday and was calling around to get the closest appointment I could find for a neurologist. I'm lucky because I live near Boston and have many options. But I was able to get in to see the one in my hospital. If at any time you don't feel comfortable with a doctor find another one. You know you have a good doctor if they see you right away. I called my doctor this past Monday and they saw me right away. You never should wait to see your primary, especially with your symptoms. Even if you have to wait to see the neurologist they requested, do some research yourself.
I would like to hear your diagnosis and how you are doing once you get your tests back.
I had (prior to seeing the neurologist) been going crazy with my symptoms. I saw my primary this past Monday and was calling around to get the closest appointment I could find for a neurologist. I'm lucky because I live near Boston and have many options. But I was able to get in to see the one in my hospital. If at any time you don't feel comfortable with a doctor find another one. You know you have a good doctor if they see you right away. I called my doctor this past Monday and they saw me right away. You never should wait to see your primary, especially with your symptoms. Even if you have to wait to see the neurologist they requested, do some research yourself.
I would like to hear your diagnosis and how you are doing once you get your tests back.
Report This| Share this:Possible MS?Hi Heather, I am in a similar situation as you. I am 31 with 3 children and on July 20th went to the emergency room because my whole left side went numb on me. It was a pretty scary feeling. They kept me in the hospital for 2 days did all sorts of tests on me. Blood work, MRI, MRA, x-ray, echo etc. Everything came back fine except my Lyme came back some what abnormal. Was sent out again but came back normal. Apparently they told me it was a false positive. Symptoms went away 5 days later. Thought I was fine until a week later numbness started in my face and progressively got worse. It would travel into my arms, legs, neck etc. I began to feel fatigues and tired. Muscles felt very weak and by day 4 I felt like I was hit by a bus. Yesterday was probably my best day. I also have nerve pain as well. Saw a neurologist yesterday morning and she is ordering more MRIs and MRI with contrast and maybe a spinal.<br />I had (prior to seeing the neurologist) been going crazy with my symptoms. I saw my primary this past Monday and was calling around to get the closest appointment I could find for a neurologist. I'm lucky because I live near Boston and have many options. But I was able to get in to see the one in my hospital. If at any time you don't feel comfortable with a doctor find another one. You know you have a good doctor if they see you right away. I called my doctor this past Monday and they saw me right away. You never should wait to see your primary, especially with your symptoms. Even if you have to wait to see the neurologist they requested, do some research yourself.<br />I would like to hear your diagnosis and how you are doing once you get your tests back.
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