I Have Multiple Sclerosis - Forum & Chat Board | D I have ms??!!??

Im not sure whats going on with me. Ive been getting really bad cramping in my hand for the last 4 years, while trying to open jars or doing anything that takes strength to do. It comes and it goes, seems to be getting worse though, as time goes bye. Ive also been having  involuntary movement of my eyes every once in awhile. Also Sometimes when I move my head fast I get a sharp pain, kind of a burning sesation, at the base of my neck.  I was wondering if anyone has had these syomtoms with ms? I haven't been to the doctor to see about these because Im not sure if they can be connected. My friend noticed my hand earlier today, and told me one of her friends has ms and their hand does the same thing. So I started to read up onit and discovered I have a few of these syomtom. Has anyone ever had these experinces before? Please help me out with this if you can???

Hello I read your experiences, and yours are exactly what my symptoms were. At first I noticed like you, I had a hard time just opening a jar, then if I held a plastic cup with liquid in it ,it just fell completely out of my hand. My eye cant remember which one fluttered often, but it felt like my nerves were jumping in my eyes. Must of been the right side because that is where all my damage is. So anyway, then I would get electrical shocks in my right hand exspecially if I touched something cold. Then boom my whole right side goes numb, it started from my feet all the way up, so I go to the ER, he says its strange because he never heard of something going from bottom  to up, its usually going downward. He never did anything in the ER except that he referred me to a neurologist. We did tons of blood work to see if I had some type of disease, nope. Then she said it could be either two thing, first was a virus, and it would have to takes its course, or it could be MS, and when I heard them words I knew it was Ms, because just like you I did my own investigation. So anyways she suggest we do a lumbar puncture, she said that this would tell it all, thats when you lay on your side and they put a topical anesthitic on your back and the insert a needle out to get some fluid from your spine, believe it or not I was surprised it didnt even hurt.The test takes about 8 weeks for the results, mines cane back in 3, something about my IG levels were exstremely high, I was shocked but not surprised, I had already knew. Then after that you start doing a series of MRI's. After my diagnosis about a month, I was getting out of bed and when I bent my neck the electric shock right at the base of my neck,and only when I bent my neck, she said that was normal. My MRI's spotted lesions one in my head, and one at the base of my neck. The lesions in you brain, or your cervical spine, thats what you dont want, because they are what causes the permanent damage to you body. Also years ago I went to get up out the bed and fell completey to the floor I had no use of my legs, thank God, that only lasted for a little while, but it was scary, then it happened again, and I went to my primary doctor and told him I thing I have MS, and of course he thought I was a hypercondriacte. He took one tube of blood and said no you dont have MS, think I didnt take my as- right back to him all he could say was he was sorry. You as a human being you are the only one that knows your body likes a bok, no doctor, nobody just you, so when you notice a change dont put it off get it checked out, and write me back, if you have any questions I can help you with I will try but keep me posted and good luck.

But what do you do if your GP wont refer you back to a specialist?  My neuro checked me out 2 yrs ago to test for possible MS, but MRI was normal at the time.  Now, symptoms are back but worse & he wont refer me b/c he said he already did 2 yrs ago and the mri was normal...my family & I KNOW something is wrong, so not sure what to do...

Go to a different GP, if your insurance allows it.

If you can't, go back to your GP and when he makes that "2 years ago" crack, sarcastically ask him if he's ever heard of anyone's health worsening in 2 years?

It's also always a good idea to take a strong, opinionated friend or family member with you to stand up with you (or for you).  You're in a very scary place right now and it's hard to stomp your feet for your rights when you're scared.  Been there.

Keep us updated...

A gp cannot dx it...they don't know enough about it...mine kept telling me it was an inner ear infection, even after a very well respected, expert neuro dx me...she still insists...you need to get to a dr that deals specifically with ms, even general neuros cannot always dx it-they really don't know enough about it.  Your symptoms are very telling and indicate a problem...I really hope it's not cause this really sucks...good luck!!! 

Hi,

For the last few years I have had one medical problem after another. Starting back in 1997 when I was in an accident and injured one of my cervical vertebrae. I get migraines, also very sharp pains on the right side of my head, it feels like I'm being stabbed. in 2000 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, which continues to fluctuate. My memory is getting worse, I have a difficult time trying to find the right words, when i used to be very articulate. My coordination is off as well, I am a hairdresser by trade and I am continually cutting myself. I am dropping things constantly and get tremors all the time. I get electric shocks in my rt arm and finger and toe and lip numbness. My EMG came back normal. I have been getting progressively weaker, i can barley lift a gallon of milk where as before carrying both of my toddlers at the same time was no problem. I have to rest my arms during a haircut because of the weakness and aching. I have all over muscle and joint pain that wakes me, getting out of bed is difficult, I cant stand up straight right away because of the muscle stiffness, my first steps after laying down feels like I'm stepping on live wires, the shock/prickly feeling eventually goes away, but the fourth toe on my right foot fells like that whenever I stand. I have bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and IBS. Ive had skin rashes, kidney stones, trouble conceiving and a miscarriage. I am so weak right now even typing hurts. The muscle pain feels like I just had a tetanus shot in multiple muscles. I get random sharp pains in different areas of my body. I get excruciating pelvic pain with no diagnosis even after a laporoscopy. I get muscle twitches all over. I'm only 32 and i feel like I am falling apart. I am waiting for an appointment with a Rhuemetologist, my ANA was negative but I was put on Neurotin, flexeril, ambien because I can't fall or stay asleep, Vit. B12, and D, Levoxyl for my thyroid, prilosec for the horrible heartburn, miratazipine and Prozac. My vision gets blurry and my eyes start watering when i try to see through the blurriness. Just curious if all of this could be MS, I was adopted and have very little as far as a family health history, any response would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi,

For the last few years I have had one medical problem after another. Starting back in 1997 when I was in an accident and injured one of my cervical vertebrae. I get migraines, also very sharp pains on the right side of my head, it feels like I'm being stabbed. in 2000 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, which continues to fluctuate. My memory is getting worse, I have a difficult time trying to find the right words, when i used to be very articulate. My coordination is off as well, I am a hairdresser by trade and I am continually cutting myself. I am dropping things constantly and get tremors all the time. I get electric shocks in my rt arm and finger and toe and lip numbness. My EMG came back normal. I have been getting progressively weaker, i can barley lift a gallon of milk where as before carrying both of my toddlers at the same time was no problem. I have to rest my arms during a haircut because of the weakness and aching. I have all over muscle and joint pain that wakes me, getting out of bed is difficult, I cant stand up straight right away because of the muscle stiffness, my first steps after laying down feels like I'm stepping on live wires, the shock/prickly feeling eventually goes away, but the fourth toe on my right foot fells like that whenever I stand. I have bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and IBS. Ive had skin rashes, kidney stones, trouble conceiving and a miscarriage. I am so weak right now even typing hurts. The muscle pain feels like I just had a tetanus shot in multiple muscles. I get random sharp pains in different areas of my body. I get excruciating pelvic pain with no diagnosis even after a laporoscopy. I get muscle twitches all over. I'm only 32 and i feel like I am falling apart. I am waiting for an appointment with a Rhuemetologist, my ANA was negative but I was put on Neurotin, flexeril, ambien because I can't fall or stay asleep, Vit. B12, and D, Levoxyl for my thyroid, prilosec for the horrible heartburn, miratazipine and Prozac. My vision gets blurry and my eyes start watering when i try to see through the blurriness. Just curious if all of this could be MS, I was adopted and have very little as far as a family health history, any response would be appreciated. Thanks.