MS

[NoGoodUsernamee]

Hi everyone. Writing a very quick post of my symptoms to see if anyone had similar before diagnoses of MS.

Just getting the kids to bed after a weekend of extreme anxiety worrying about this. I know no one can diagnose me but here goes… (I’ve had these symptoms twice now with approx 2 months beetween bouts.) thank you.

Starts with dizziness/light headedness

Second symptom is a numb/tingly left hand.

The tingling/pins and needles feeling then spreads to other parts of the left side of my body, arm, foot, leg, eventually my face & mouth. Once the tingling stops after 2/3 days, the pain starts. Like deep muscle aches from exercise in all the affected muscles. I also get random cramping in the hand and feet muscles, mildly with the pins and needles but quite persistent once they’ve gone.

Thought I’d update this thread for anyone who comes on in the future… I (touch wood) haven’t had another episode since the last one. I had an extensive MRI (lasted bloody ages!) which thankfully came back as normal. I’m hoping it was a weird reaction to something viral (possibly Covid?) & that i won’t experience it again 🤞🏼

Aww wonderful news, so pleased for you OP.

Thank you for the update. I'm awaiting an mri at the end of January and hoping and praying for a clear one. I'm terrified.

@Cheesypumpkin I know it’s a really worrying time. I have been through the MS dx and in my case it did turn out that I had MS. But in lots of patients it isn’t. It’s more a case of elimination, that a it’s not MS so is it something else and b it is MS with another condition.

Having had countless MRI since receiving my dx 11 years ago, the process is simple, it depends on how many areas are being scanned, head usually takes 10-15mins, the camera is a plastic cage type device that clips in either side of your head, you are in the mri suite alone, but you can see the radiographer in the room the outside. If they are doing the full set of scans head, cervical and whole spine, it will take about an hour. Often they will put the radio on and you wear headphones in the scanner, it helps the pass the time. You hold a squeezable call button in you hand and that will stop the scanner if you need to. It’s like the noise of roadworks, very loud, lots of bangs and whirring sounds, this is normal. I just close my eyes until it’s done, they will speak to you and check your ok and tell you any instructions for the scans and sometimes how long the particular scan will last. You just have to keep really still.

Then the awful bit, waiting for the results. It’s a very stressful time. Do you know anyone with MS? There are many different types of MS. It’s an ideal dx, but you can still live a good life their are now, many different disease modifying drugs. So if it is MS try not to worry, stress isn’t good for anyone with MS. If MS is confirmed you will be assigned an MS Nurse, my one was brilliant and helped me so much.

Very best wishes, going forward, you will be ok and feel free to pm me if you want to ask me anything.

@Roselilly36 thank you so much. You are ever so kind. The neurologist said she didn't think it was anything sinister in her opinion but to mri to be sure. But she may just say that so I don't worry? So stressful.

@Cheesypumpkin that sounds reassuring, my Neuro was pretty sure
I had MS before the first scan, I had an acute inflammatory attack, my first dx was Transverse Myelitis. But Neuro said straight away he thought it was MS, but be couldn’t give an official dx until a 2nd attack, that followed 2 years later. He put me under the care of an MS Nurse straight after the TM dx. So they often have a good idea on things. Sounds like you have a good Neuro that is performing a scan for completeness. Good luck.

@NoGoodUsernamee how are u now ? X

@Roselilly36 just to update I had a brain and cervical spine mri and all clear. Not sure what's going on but the neurologist is happy its not MS. hope you are ok

@Cheesypumpkin That’s great news, very pleased to hear that. Sometimes you don’t always get an answer for these things and symptoms just go away 🤞

@Cheesypumpkin I posted earlier on in this as had virtually identical symptoms. I saw the neurologist who said it didn't present as MS usually does if you are 61 ( as I am) and that my neuro markers were all fine. . I still don't know what the issue is but it does fit with what an awful lot of people on the long covid support forums are going through. My bloods are mainly fine - I've actually got slightly excess ferretin and active B12 . Really glad to hear your MRI was clear- I'm still waiting on this.