Handhold please - A&E after sudden numbness

[OliveRanch]

I’m really sorry, shamelessly posting for traffic. My other thread is here www.mumsnet.com/talk/autoimmune_disease/4602352-should-i-give-up-pursuing-a-diagnosis?page=1

I’m waiting for an ambulance. I suddenly felt very peculiar this evening and both my legs went numb, although in hindsight I haven’t been quite right all day. I now can’t walk properly. Both legs as well as my arms are burning, my hands, arms and back of my neck are tingling. The soles of my feet feel numb. I’ve felt unwell for a while but never had anything like this before, it’s escalated so quickly. They are talking about a CT scan and MRI although I think the actual problem is b12 and/or folate anaemia.

I’m on my own and don’t have anyone to go with me. I’m terrified of A&E after a very traumatic incident there a few years ago. I’m less worried about the scans, it’s just having to be back in that waiting room. Especially without support. I know I need to be brave though.

I just need a little bit of a handhold / distraction. I’m so anxious

Who is talking about the scans? Are you at home?

There’s people here to keep you company, and it sounds like you really do need to get looked at.
What do you want to talk about? Dream holiday, money no object?? Best recipe for mac n cheese?

I’m going to go and read your other thread for context but just know you’re not alone I know it must be scary right now
is there anything you’d like to talk about?

Have they done blood tests?

i originally phoned 111 and a doctor called me back - he mentioned scans.

I was due to have them tomorrow morning

Previous blood tests show elevated MCV and MCH, consistent with b12 and/or folate anaemia but they always told me it was nothing to worry about. I had b12 deficiency in the past (though never had symptoms like this) so it seems to make the most sense.

Is there anyone who can be with you and help distract you and keep you calm. When did you last speak to a doctor?

So sorry you are going through this. It does sound like MS.

Dream holiday… atm I think I’d love to just be sitting on a terrace surrounded by pine trees somewhere in the south of France.

About 30 mins ago. He said if they aren’t there within an hour to call 111 again.

That’s my worry. I really hope not. I had my eyes examined recently and nothing was commented on, although I know eye problems don’t always come with MS.

Nothing worse than feeling ill at night and on your own.
Try to stay calm, let them do bloods, whatever else and take it from there. I’ve got fibromyalgia, CFS and a dodgy thyroid ( and did have B12 deficiency) and have the weirdest symptoms on a weekly basis, none of them serious just weird and annoying. 💐

Just received this text:

999 ambulance text - We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls.
Although a response has been identified for you, a clinician may contact you in the meantime to discuss your symptoms further and ensure you receive the right medical care.
Unless the patient has issues swallowing ensure they continue to drink plenty of cold fluids.
If the patients conditions worsens, or you no longer require an ambulance please call us back on 999.

Yes, unfortunately OP I think that doctor was being highly optimistic saying you could expect an ambulance within an hour.

So sorry you're going through this OP. Hope the ambulance arrives soon. Unfortunately the symptoms do sound like they could be MS.. if that is the case it's not the end of the world though, MS is a treatable condition these days and many people lead full lives with treatment. But it could also be many other things. I hope you get some answers and relief from your symptoms soon.

b12 and/or folate anaemia can cause your symptoms. I'm surprised they are offering MRI and scans without fixing this issue first.

Good luck OP. On a side note, MS isn't always awful x

At least they've contacted you. Can you manage to stick on a film to distract you in the meantime? Its crap on the main TV unless you enjoy reality TV of course.
Other option is to consider a taxi to a n e? Unless you don't feel strong enough understandably.

What's your B12 result? Deficiency plus low folate or ferritin can cause very scary symptoms including neurological.

You need to find out what the actual numbers are, feel free to post them here.

I asked for b12 injections at my last appointment (Wednesday) when I told them how unwell I felt, and considering my MCV and MCH, but they said no.

You may need to consider sourcing your own b12 and self injecting, don't rely on G.P to effectively treat it.

MS absolutely isn't the end of the world. I was diagnosed out of the blue in 2012 and due to some very expensive drugs, I still work full time as a nurse. It rears its ugly head occasionally, but I've learnt to wait it out and it gets better.

My b12 test was within the normal range but apparent this doesn’t mean anything as the test can’t distinguish between active and inactive b12. But I have enlarged red blood cells which is a sign of b12 anaemia. This has come up again and again on tests but they have done nothing.

My folate was 5 when tested in 2021. Ref ranges 1.9 - 25, so on the low side of normal. I don’t understand as I eat lots of folate-rich foods on a daily basis and take multivitamins.

This was my plan, I have just been struggling to find a source to import them.

Thank you, that’s reassuring. I’m about to graduate an undergraduate biomed degree and my plan was to go on to medical school. I’m a mature student. I’m really scared I won’t be able to do it if it’s MS.