Could this be MS?

[Louise1683]

Sorry a repost due to a slip up.

Hi,
I was hoping for some advice. My mum has MS and I’m unsure if it is hereditary but she is concerned about a few symptoms I’ve been having and is urging me to ask doctor for an MRI.

I suffer from fatigue and it’s been an issue for years which the doctors can not find any answer to. I just feel exhausted and weak. Previously I’ve had b12 levels checked etc and was told they were on the low side of normal but they have now said to check how my body is absorbing b12 and I have an appt today, I’ve also been previously low in vitamin D so take supplements of this and b12 as suggested by

I’ve had slightly blurred vision which comes and goes, it’s like a cloud at the corner of my eye which can come on at any time for say a few seconds then clears again. I’ve been for an eye test and optician can see nothing wrong but says I am short and long sighted very slightly so perhaps when looking in distance to close this might cause it but I feel it’s happens at any time really.

I’ve had pins and needles down one side in particular that lasted for a couple days down my leg and recently have been waking in the night with pins and needles down one side of my body.

I have head sensitivity and my hair hurts to move it. That sounds silly but one day I was just saying how it hurt and my mum commented that she gets bad head sensitivity as one of her many symptoms.

I didn’t want to go to the doctor as there is nothing massively wrong and don’t want to seem paranoid but I’m unsure if these little symptoms add to something bigger.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Hi OP

I have B12 deficiency and many of the same symptoms as you. You should be aware that if you've been taking B12 supplements the results of any B12 tests or tests for Pernicious Anemia (one of the main causes of not absorbing B12) will be skewed.

My B12 is 120 (range where I live is 180 plus) but GP is reluctant to treat progressively and wants to retest my B12 after 6 months without supplements.

If you have a read online you will see that low B12 can cause symptoms even just within the 'normal' range.

Low B12 affects the nerves and brain in a very similar way to MS.

Ask your GP if your folate has been tested (alongside ferritin and full blood count).

Hope you get to the bottom of it, and feel better!

oh @Louise1683 i feel the same and have done for 18 months or more. Ive never been able to get to the bottom on it. You've worried me a little now as these symptoms persist but I cant get answers other than Vitamin D deficiency and raised folates.
The symptoms are debilitating most of the time :-(

@BlackInk thank you. I’ll ask at my appointment today about folate.

I’m not sure what my b12 was previously as gp just said it was low side of normal. Am I able to ask what exactly it is? I always feel like I sound paranoid or a pest but there is obviously something causing this and I just want to feel better. I will mention I have been on supplements so I assume I may have to wait to be tested and stop taking them like yourself?

@SpideyMom I’m sorry you have been feeling the same. Do you need to take supplements for your vitamin d deficiency? Please don’t worry. I’m sure it’s something minor, I just wanted to get some advice from others who have felt the same. I’m sorry to scare you. If I get any answers I’ll update

Yes you're entitled to full access to all results and medical records and it's free. You can either sign up for online access or ask for a print-out of results.

If your folate is low it may be stopping you absorbing B12. Standard testing for PA is only about 50% accurate - a positive result is accurate but a negative result may not be.

Basically, if you eat a half decent diet (including regular dairy, eggs, meat or fish - or supplements if vegan) then low B12 is probably caused by inability to absorb.

I do yes. I'd convinced myself I have bone cancer. I finally got the blood test to find I am severely deficient so am now supplemented for life

Go speak to your gp. MS in a parent puts you at higher risk and the symptoms you have match my sil whose diagnosed with ms. But there's other causes too so seek help.

I’ve recently moved doctors and had to explain to GP I was to have these tests. He agreed he would test b12 but says my range increased slightly between last two tests so I must be absorbing it fine.

I mentioned some of the other symptoms and he said it must be posture etc. I explained my mum was concerned as it mirrored a lot of her symptoms. He said he can tell I have a lot of questions but everything has a reason why I am having these symptoms but I’m not so sure. So will wait for blood results.