I think I have MS...

Brain and nerves
1

Hello,

I am a 25 year old male and I have been in hell for 8 months. After several trips to an ER and tests for every disese you can google I’m still left without an answer. 

It all started 9 months back, I was having severe episodes of dizziness and pain. Mostly the pain was coming from my chest so I went through a batter of heart tests... 

Then a month later it began with severe abdominal pain in all 4 quadrants, lots of tests and scans no results. 

5 months ago my doctor said I have severe panic disorder and started me on lexapro. I don’t disagree I was having panic attacks but I believe they were filled by my symptoms as I’ve never struggled with mental health and I had just had the best year of my life. 

5 months later and I’m having bad attacks of muscle pain, spasms, and numbness or tingling, mostly in my arms and hands but also in my face and legs. 

I went to the ER again thinking I was having a stroke and they refered me to a neurologist who thinks it could be MS. Trouble is I live in Canada where yes we get free healthcare but the downside is I have to wait 7 months for an MRI... 

Here’s is a quick list of some more symptoms I’m getting: 

- Rib cage pain pretty much all over, can usually be dull and achy but sometimes I get shooting pain. 

- Weakness in my arms and legs

- headaches, neck pain, and severe TMJ pain

- unpredictable bowls (have started a strong probiotic but only showing minimal results. 

- Back pain from my neck to my take bone 

- muscle spasms form head to toe

I could probably keeping going but basically I have widespread symptoms but clean blood work and vitals across the board. Also had a CT scan on my brain to look for tumors but it was clean. 

My doctor is an idiot, I know that’s a serio type but he refuses to thinking this could be anything other then anxiety. 

Could this be MS? Any thoughts on how I can manage my symptoms over the next several months... should also mention anti inflammatory are very hard on my stomach which is devisating for pain relief. 

2

Hi there,

First of all, I want to applaud you for reaching out and for advocating for yourself.  Unfortunately it seems that the buzz word these days is panic and anxiety and while it may be true in some cases, I feel other times is doctor code for I don't know what's wrong with you.

You didn't mention which province you live in but I do know here in BC they have started doing MRI's 24/7 which has dramatically improved wait times.  Keep nudging your neurologist as he has the power to expedite this.

Something you said that was very encouraging was clean bloodwork and clean CT.  A CT is pretty good at picking up anomalies in the brain but can't always identify what it is like an MRI can.  An MRI is better too as there is no radiation unlike a CT.

I think it is safe to say that everyone at some time in their lives experiences panic and anxiety and yes I agree with you that feeling awful with no answers and a dismissive doctor all contributes to anxiety.  Don't let that throw you off track.

An MRI of the head and spine will give you your answers regarding MS.  Typically especially when MS is diagnosed at a young age, it tends to be the relapsing/remitting type which is not how you are describing it.  I hear you describing constant symtoms for the last 9 months.

There are so many different autoimmune diseases which can take a long time to diagnose.  It could be something like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which is finally being treated as an actual illness.  Just out of curiosity, did your symptoms begin after a virus?  Doctors are taking viral infections very seriously these days as we know now that many neurological conditions are precipitated by viral infections.

Try to keep brief accurate notes on your symptoms to take to the doctor.  I say brief because appointment times are limited and it would be time better spent doing neuro exams etc.

Good luck and keep us posted.  You are welcome here!

~~Carolyn

3

Thanks very much, no virus of any kind. I got married last August and started a new job that isn’t stressful and I loved my life up until October where everything started and it hit me like a brick. I don’t want MS and it’s crazy to think I want a diagnoses but I just know that my body has always been healthy and happy but it took a sudden turn and I can’t find my way back sad

I live in Victoria BC, I’m on a cancellation list but my Neurologist said it could still be 6-7 months.. 

4

Last year I was diagnosed with Ms. For years I had numbness in my legs and arms and now that I know I'ma finally on medicine and I still have trigger points that I need to get use to so I won't get to sick or go into. When I get hot I can't hardly breathe and I get real weak. Im heat resistance. I think you should get the MRI of your head and upper back and if you don't have lessons there you ok. Let me know how it goes ok.

5

Howdy.  I live in Canada too and had to

Figure out what was wrong with me and went thru the ringer and paid 1000 bucks for an mri cuz I wasn't waiting

7 months.  Doctors didn't help.  I researched it cuz I was just getting worse and worse and a national athlete.  

I have Lyme disease.  Got bit on the foot when I was fishing.    Lyme symptoms are very close to MS symptoms.   A buddy told me to research MMS.  It's a product that detoxifies you from the inside out.  4.5 months ago I was bedridden for 34 days.   Today I'm 110%. There are 130 ppl in my home town north of edmonton that have Lyme and word is getting out this stuff works cuz I can't help to not tell ppl when it's taken away all 62 of my symptoms.   U can order from the states for 50$ for a years supply. It's banned in Canada cuz they call it bleach.  Far from it.  Doctors in Tijuana are all over it now.  It saved my life.   If it moves to your brain and u get neurological symptoms then that would be a good Tell down the road if you think I'm a whack.  It fixed my neurolgical issues in 9 days.   Cheers 

6

Hi

I've read the responses and I think they've got it covered. With your tests did you get a vitamin B12?

I have ms, I've asked for.. a lymes test bit Dr said in UK we don't test which I've found outbid a lie. I've currently got Ramsey Hunt palsy/Bell's palsy. I waited 7 years to get first MRI, I've had a few since. I wish you well, don't panic about ms diagnosis there's new treatments for newly diagnosed it's not a death sentence. Good luck.