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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I have MS?

44 replies

Fear1987 · 14/01/2023 20:44

I’m posting on AIBU for traffic.

I’ve been experiencing some minor issues that have all of a sudden grouped together for me and I am terrified that they are signs that I have MS.

I know I need to speak to a doctor about this but it’s the weekend and I’m panicking. I also know that even if a doctor took it seriously there won’t be any quick answers.

I am trying to find other things that these symptoms point to. Does anyone have experience of these symptoms and it not being a sign of MS? I will happily hear AIBU.

I have had a small section of skin on my cheekbone that feels like it is stinging/burning. This has been coming and going for a year. Doesn’t happen often but very distinct.

A few weeks ago I started tripping over the front of my feet. I haven’t noticed any numbness or issues lifting my foot, the stumble/trip took me completely off guard every time. It was consistent tripping for a couple of days. It’s stopped for a couple of weeks then it’s started happening again but not as consistently.

for the past month I have been getting a sensation like something is crawling under my skin across the top of my back. Very distinct. This isn’t constant but is increasing in frequency.

I am fatigued and forgetful but have previously put this down to being sleep deprived from 3 young kids.

OP posts:

Lindtcat · 14/01/2023 20:50

These all sound like things that could be caused from sleep deprivation. Speak to your GP though. Try not to worry too much.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 14/01/2023 20:53

Can you request blood tests for auto immune diseases?

CoffeeBeansGalore · 14/01/2023 20:54

Or get a referral to rheumatology who can authorise specialist blood tests that your GP can't do.

DewinDwl · 14/01/2023 20:55

Blood tests for anaemia and vitamin b12 defficiency

Desmondo2021 · 14/01/2023 20:55

Obviously you need to be checked out but there's lots of more likely scenarios. If it helps I had about a 12 month period several years ago where I regularly (daily) had a wet patch on my leg (that wasn't actually wet) and it felt like either hot or cold water had soaked through my clothes in a spot about 2 inches across just above my knee. It stopped one day and I've had nothing similar since.

Flaunch · 14/01/2023 21:01

A few years ago I was absolutely
convinced I had MS due to a whole
raft of weird physical symptoms, very similar to yours - including tripping over my own feet! What I actually had was stress (ptsd actually) after a really traumatic time in my life. I was utterly convinced I had a degenerative disease but I don’t, and 14 years on haven’t yet been diagnosed with anything - apart from ptsd.

I had a really useful website bookmarked which listed all the possible stress symptoms and when I felt something I could check the list and they were always there. Stress is a fucker for making physical stuff worse.

Beachsidesunset · 14/01/2023 21:01

I had those symptoms and it was a severe B9 deficiency. Ask your doctor for some blood tests - iron, B9, B12, thyroid function etc. Far, far more likely than MS.

SouthwarkSwish · 14/01/2023 21:13

A close family member has MS. This doesn't sound anything like how theirs started.

There are SO many posts on here with people fearing they have MS...this is because soooo many symptoms cross over from MANY MANY MANY different kinds of conditions/deficiencies...including things like anxiety!

Original poster

Fear1987 · 14/01/2023 21:25

I’m sorry. I can’t figure out how to respond to individual posts..
Thank you to everyone who has posted. I actually cried with relief and realise I’m catastrophising. I am very sorry to read how people have struggled with these symptoms. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and reassure me. It’s really helped me to bring my anxiety down

OP posts:

AnxietyGirl8 · 14/01/2023 21:35

I've had MS fears due to a bunch of symptoms. What helped me was getting a basic neurological exam from my GP which confirmed I had no signs of neurological disease. I also went on the MS thread on Reddit, and looked at some threads of people describing their first symptoms.

What I found was mostly quite severe symptoms that lead people to hospital - such as going blind suddenly in one eye, completely losing feeling below the waist, intense tingling in one limb that started and never stopped, suddenly being unable to walk properly. From what I've read/researched, it seems like MS usually presents quite intense symptoms you can't miss. If that's any help or consolation! You probably don't have it.

Sartre · 14/01/2023 21:39

It probably isn’t MS but worth asking your GP to put your mind at ease above all else. Far more likely to be stress, anxiety, tiredness or a vitamin deficiency. MS fatigue is apparently like unbearable tiredness with no explanation.

Didimum · 14/01/2023 22:09

I read once that MS is the most commonly feared condition for those with anxiety - most likely because it can encompass so many varied and somewhat vague symptoms. Especially symptoms that are very easy to fixate on. Skin sensations are terribly common with stress and sleep deprivation. I’ve had many in the past - including the sensation of water trickling down my face and the feeling of cold air on the back of my head. Do visit your GP for reassurance and to talk about stress and anxiety. Best of luck. I really do think you’re fine.

Forfrigz · 14/01/2023 22:51

I had a build up of neuro symptoms similar to yours and i became terrified it was MS but it turned out to be coeliac disease. Most people think it only affects the gut but in a fair few people it causes what they call gluten ataxia which is where you get neurological symptoms. It's worth looking into as most people with coeliac are never diagnosed and end up putting up with lots of weird and distressing symptoms their whole life without ever being helped.

I would say that with MS it tends to be a very sudden and severe neuo symptom rather than a gradual build up but of course it can vary and you can get the latter. The hard thing with anything neurological though is the waiting lists tend to be even worse than the rest of healthcare because there aren't many neurologists. I basically went in an demanded to be looked at, honestly I've never been more demanding and kicked up more of a fuss in my entire life. Hope you find answers soon.

girlsyearapart · 14/01/2023 22:58

I have had MS for over 20 years and the stumbling / tripping is something I’ve had but not any of the others.

BigChesterDraws · 14/01/2023 23:03

Sounds like b12 deficiency from my experience with that.

Menora · 14/01/2023 23:16

I get migraine symptoms that can be disconcerting like off balance and tingles. I don’t always get a severe headache either with it

MeetPi · 14/01/2023 23:43

I have MS and it didn't start this way. I won't go into detail as I don't want you start imaging those symptoms in yourself - I probably would in your situation! - but my first thought is you are suffering from fatigue and any those symptoms can be a result of that. Have a GP do full blood tests too, focusing on thyroid, iron, and B12. Good luck to you.

Luckysdadsrules1 · 15/01/2023 07:20

I have MS. What made me go to the hospital first was something very severe that you wouldn’t miss.

I would go to the GP if I were you and ask for your b12 levels to be checked. They could also do a neuro test on you to put your mind at rest.

Also, having MS is not the end of the world. We are lucky to have so many drugs available now which means I now lead a relatively normal life xx

menareallthesame · 15/01/2023 07:55

Same here. I ended up in hospital with my first symptom.

IdisagreeMrHochhauser · 15/01/2023 08:08

I thought I might have MS as I had a whole range of weird symptoms and then the rheumatologist picked up a tremor which I hadn't even noticed.

But now they think that I'm recovering from glandular fever and I'll get better eventually.

Please try not to worry as worry will make your symptoms worse. No need for an emergency appointment. Speak to your GP at the next available one.

SallyWD · 15/01/2023 08:21

MS is one of those conditions that many people believe they have. I've been to the doctors at least twice over the years, listing symptoms and telling them I think I have MS. Both times the doctors didn't agree! Neurological symptoms are extremely common and can have many causes. My GP explained that often people have weird symptoms and they never find out the cause! Anxiety/stress definitely causes neurological symptoms (logically as it affects your nervous system). My last bout of MS type symptoms came when I was going through a very busy period of life. I didn't actually recognise that I was stressed. When my doctor told me I was stressed, I couldn't believe it at first but then I realised I was. All my symptoms disappeared when we had the first lock down and my life very suddenly slowed down. It allowed my body and mind to recover from the stress.
Of course, there are many other causes of neurological symptoms definitely get them checked out but don't assume MS!

SlaveToTheVibe · 15/01/2023 08:39

Go ti GP

But also start taking vitamin D

AliceMcK · 15/01/2023 08:54

GPs can do blood tests which will show any autoimmune markers fairly quickly. I think mine took about a week then I was referred to a rheumatologist who did more in-depth tests.

Unfortunately, so many symptoms for different conditions can are mimicked. I remember looking up my symptoms and finding multiple conditions that they applied too, including MS.

Stop googling and make an appointment to see your GP Monday morning and ask for blood tests.

Just so your aware, there are 100s of AI conditions, it will be a process of illumination if you do have AI markers. For me they tested for the most common, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis… after ruling out the most common AI diseases it was a matter of getting my symptoms under control rather than finding out the cause. I went round in circles trying various medications for years. My Rheumatologist said that they would be a test somewhere that could pinpoint my condition but it’s probably in the US and would costs £thousands to run, under the NHS it was a matter of managing my symptoms. Finally I paid to go private and got 3 different diagnosis within a month, only one was AI related, the other 2 were sleep apnea and high cholesterol, both have similar symptoms to a lot of AI conditions.

FishFlaked · 15/01/2023 09:26

if you wanted to talk here about alternative causes than MS, it may be that your symptoms have come on in response to a virus- shingles, Covid and many others can all cause neurological problems which will then ease off over time with luck.
Good luck with this and hope your doctor can help to reassure you soon.

DingDongDenny · 15/01/2023 09:36

Both my parents were diagnosed with MS and they had entirely different symptoms. Almost everything seems to be an MS symptom.

I also trip over my feet and because of family history I used to worry it was an early sign of MS. But that was a decade ago, I'm clearly just clumsy

Try not to worry until you speak to a doctor, it could be many things.

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