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MS / multiple sclerosis symptoms

22 replies

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 19:51

Hi

I am really really really panicking about some symptoms I am having which make me think I have MS.

  1. Pins and needles on right hand side limbs
  2. Feeling my patches of my right leg and buttock and arm are in a fridge (v cold sensation)
  3. Really sore muscles all over - mainly things and buttocks but sometimes lower back and shoulders
  4. Slight brain fog - can't find the words I want sometimes

I am beside myself with worry. Up until 2 weeks ago I was running 10km two or three times a week and loving my life. Now I feel like I can hardly walk the length of myself with the pains and weird sensations Confused

Any similar stories or advice? Planning on seeing my GP next week but can't settle myself at all

OP posts:
Bluebuddha10 · 18/11/2023 20:04

Those symptoms could be indicative of so many different things, most of which are not serious. You might just be lacking some vitamins like vit b or vit d - can cause those sort of symptoms. Try not to worry or overthink things, try not to google, you will just end up down lots of rabbit holes. But it's good to get checked out with your GP

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 20:07

Thank-you so much.

Would a vitamin deficiency present with one sided symptoms? I think that's what worries me the most - the one sided bit.

OP posts:
Bluebuddha10 · 18/11/2023 20:12

I've had muscle pain and leg cramps due to vit D deficiencies and weirdly its always affected one leg much more than the other - so there is a possibility. When do you see the GP?

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 20:34

Going to ring them on Monday morning. Have been to the GP with something pretty trivial in the last few weeks (sore ear!) so feel awful phoning them again

OP posts:
ammpersand · 18/11/2023 20:46

I have MS, (and honestly it's not that bad these days so don't be too scared). These seem like very generic symptoms to me, and there will be many, many things that are more likely. Is the pins and needles constant? The sore muscles and brain fog are inevitably going to be exaggerated in your head while you're worrying about this.

If you can't get a proper diagnosis for whatever it is from your GP, then push for an MRI because that should give you a more or less definitive answer. I wouldn't panic though. It's far more probable to be something much less intimidating.

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 20:48

ammpersand · 18/11/2023 20:46

I have MS, (and honestly it's not that bad these days so don't be too scared). These seem like very generic symptoms to me, and there will be many, many things that are more likely. Is the pins and needles constant? The sore muscles and brain fog are inevitably going to be exaggerated in your head while you're worrying about this.

If you can't get a proper diagnosis for whatever it is from your GP, then push for an MRI because that should give you a more or less definitive answer. I wouldn't panic though. It's far more probable to be something much less intimidating.

Thank-you for your reply. Can I ask what your symptoms were prior to diagnosis? I hope you are doing ok. I know that MS is much more treatable/we can halt the progression these days, but I worry I would have the progressive type.

OP posts:
ammpersand · 18/11/2023 21:01

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 20:48

Thank-you for your reply. Can I ask what your symptoms were prior to diagnosis? I hope you are doing ok. I know that MS is much more treatable/we can halt the progression these days, but I worry I would have the progressive type.

I had vertigo for a few weeks as my first symptom. Then tingling in my feet (sorry--I'm sure that's not what you want to hear). Weirdly, this was bilateral, which I'd been led to believe would be very unusual in MS. Then I had optic neuritis in one eye. FINALLY after that I was diagnosed, got on a treatment, and have had no symptoms since.

I understand how worrying and scary these kinds of symptoms can be, but it's important to remember that the vast majority of people who experience these sorts of things don't have MS. I think it's difficult to diagnose precisely because things like weird sensations, pins and needles, tiredness etc are also symptoms of many more common conditions. Once you've got it in your head, you'll also start imagining loads more symptoms or focusing on every little eye twitch.

If you symptoms get significantly worse with heat (a hot shower etc) then that's probably a red flag to mention to the GP. If your symptoms come and go randomly otherwise, that would sound less like MS.

The best thing you can do is just relax and try to put it out of your mind while you wait to see a doctor about this. I know that's easier said than done. If they don't resolve the issue and you know you'll worry yourself sick over it, then honestly I would recommend exaggerating your symptoms and insisting on an MRI. It's the only way to know for sure, and if it does turn out to be something neurological then it's better to find that out early. I regret the time I spent having my symptoms dismissed.

Sorry for the long post. To sum up, I would feel fairly confident that this will turn out to be something completely benign. But if you don't get a satisfactory answer, then definitely fight for more investigations.

englishrose1234 · 18/11/2023 21:03

Thanku @ammpersand you are so kind to message me back. Star

OP posts:
Winwit · 19/11/2023 07:51

It doesn’t sound like MS at all. I say this as someone with similar symptoms who has obsessively seen multiple doctors. They all said any symptom which affects the entire body is not MS, because MS is localised. Eg feet only, eyes only. I also have no vertigo or balance issues, even when standing with my arms crossed over my chest and my eyes closed. Apparently MS regularly presents with balance issues. I have no loss of muscle strength or tone either, which is also typical of MS.

My pins and needles are all over, along with burning muscle pain. When it was at its worst I could barely walk. They gave me a load of blood tests for vitamin deficiencies, then checked for autoimmune issues and inflammation. Now they’re saying it must be a virus that’s caused muscle inflammation, like Covid or something.

Nannyfannybanny · 19/11/2023 08:00

Sometimes diabetes and neuropathy gives you these symptoms. I have a cousin with MS, diagnosed in her 20s, falling over, unsteady. Another friend who started off with double vision. I had the same symptoms as you. It turned out to be a trapped nerve in my lower back. I actually went to a podiatrist first, and then an osteopath.

Chipsatsunset · 19/11/2023 08:10

I wouldn’t jump to MS with those symptoms, so please don’t panic. It could be lots of things or even stress related.

The people I know with MS started with optic neuritis or feeling like they had a tight band round an area of their body or crushing fatigue. Obviously it will be different for everyone though. Your GP will know what to check. I know it’s easy to say try not to worry, but please try not to worry. I hope you will soon have peace of mind.

HvalaALot · 19/11/2023 08:16

Try Benfotamine and Magnesium supplements. I have had the pins and needles before and those supplements helped.

Also are you particularly stressed at the moment? Stress can bring on all kinds of neurological sounding symptoms

Runninghappy · 19/11/2023 09:05

I have ms and it sounds like it’s worth getting checked, but not something I’d be overly worried about. I would also say even if it is, I wouldn’t panic. I go to the gym every day, I run, I cycle. I do suffer with pain and fatigue. But I also exercise to the extreme! I ran the marathon in April! I’ve had it for about 25 years.

englishrose1234 · 19/11/2023 11:03

Thank-you to each and every one of you who took the time to reply. I really appreciate it. I'm beside myself with worry which probably isn't helping the situation. Hopefully my GP will be able to provide more reassurance tomorrow.

OP posts:
HvalaALot · 05/12/2023 20:12

@englishrose1234 how did it go? Did you get any comfort from the GP?

englishrose1234 · 05/12/2023 20:19

HvalaALot · 05/12/2023 20:12

@englishrose1234 how did it go? Did you get any comfort from the GP?

Hi @HvalaALot
My GP isn't concerned that I have MS, but I am going to go privately for an MRI regardless. Still having symptoms and also found out I have hashimotos 😭

OP posts:
HvalaALot · 05/12/2023 20:58

Hashimotos? Have a look at Dr Berry on YouTube. His wife has hashimotos and has managed to reverse it with Ketovore

Ojoy1986 · 15/04/2024 20:31

@englishrose1234 sorry I know this is an old thread but did you ever get the MRI? Did you get a diagnosis.
many thanks

Lollyl88 · 20/10/2024 20:10

@englishrose1234 Hello
Just wondering if you ever got to the bottom
Of your symptoms?

housemaus · 20/10/2024 20:17

I had exactly these symptoms and was worried about MS as I have a family member with it. The GP were great and sent me for an MRI but no sign of MS - they said it was probably a nerve on one side being compressed and not to worry! It went away eventually, so fingers crossed the same for you.

housemaus · 20/10/2024 20:18

God sorry, just realised this is an old thread...

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