Hi all, I’m going to do my best at summarising my situation here. I’m 20 years old, soon to be 21. Over the last year and a half or so, I have had episodes of extreme fatigue that are absolutely crippling. I didnt really think much of it, until I was talking to my mother about my cousin, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 22. I checked out the symptoms of MS and realised that actually, I have a scary amount of overlap. I experience the following; flashes of light in both eyes, back and joint pain (especially in my knees and hips), bladder issues ie not fully emptying bladder, bowel dysfunction, and also sexual dysfunction. I have recently been diagnosed with OCD, depression, and anxiety. I’ve relayed all of this to my mother (who has been a nurse for some 30 odd years), and she is now convinced that I need to go to the doctor and get tests done for MS, especially given that my cousin (paternal side of the family) was diagnosed at a similar age. I don’t know if I’m panicking by booking an appointment for something that could purely be something else entirely, but I thought I would seek some advice here. Is it worth booking an appointment (phone, not face to face given the current situation RE covid19), or should I continue to monitor symptoms and wait it out? Thank you in advance for any advice, kind regards Daisy 
Hi Daisy, although MS is not exactly genetic, yes it can run in some families.
Having said you do suffer with anxiety…that will magnify many things that aren`t quite right with your health.
You cant actually get tested for MS as such…you`d first see your GP, who may decide to refer you to a neurologist.
But in these really worrying times with covid, GP appointments aren`t so available.
I think for the time being, I would keep a diary of symptoms and then have a telephone appointment with your GP in a couple of months or so. Referrals will be taking even longer.
Your symptoms might be MS, but they could be a number of other things too.
Take care and keep safe Daisy.
Love Boudsxx
Hello Daisy
The answer given by Boudica is quite right, getting a neurologists opinion on your symptoms is quite unlikely in the short term just now.
Having heightened levels of anxiety is likely to make you more stressed and concentrate harder on physical issues than the majority of people. In these days when we’re all stuck at home wondering and worrying over heath is also likely to add to your anxiety.
But yes, your question about getting a GP phone appointment or continuing to monitor is a good one. Again as Boudica said, having a GP appointment isn’t going to get your very far. S/he could refer you to neurology, but you won’t get an appointment any time soon.
So keeping a health diary is the best option in the short/medium term. Keep records of when symptoms begin, what happens, whether they change, improve, entirely dissipate or stay with you. When or if you do see your GP, your diary will be invaluable.
Do keep in your mind though, that while autoimmune disorders do run in some families, and what seems common is for family members to get similar diagnoses, it’s not certain. Have a look at https://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/views-and-comments/ms-hereditary-or-not-0 For example, I am the only one in my extended family who has ever been diagnosed with MS, although other autoimmune diseases do tend to pop up quite frequently.
Best of luck. Try not to worry about your symptoms. If it helps, then do get a phone consultation with your GP.
Sue