Brother with MS, now I develope symptoms, but is it?.

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

My brother became paralyzed about 6 years ago for three months and along with other symptoms was eventually diagnosed with MS. He has regained his mobility.

what I have noticed in the last few months is a list of the following but these are just the ones I have noticed looking back.

Pain in my eyeballs when I move my eyes, like migraine

My bladder can only hold one cup of drink then I need the loo

Went to Tenerife for holiday during their heatwave and then the following appeared during the trip

My tips of fingers became pins and needles,

My joints hurt ankles, knees, hips and wrists.

Pain in my hands and my thumbs.

Pain in my feet

Last few weeks I have started dropping things, its doing my head in. I know I have got the item but it just falls like my hand lets go.

This last few weeks I am sooo tired its unreal. I been coming home dropping everything and going to bed. Very unlike an incredibly active me.

Pain when I stretch my feet upwards.

Pain in my ankles by my ball joints, under my arch, top of arch like i am not supporting it correctly.

Pain in my calves like they are very very stiff and need loosening up.

Pain in my lower back – the arch.

Pain in my head at the sides or frontal lobe.

Concentration crap, sure its my tiredness.

The worse bits today, dropping things, pain in my ankles feet and calves and hands and the tiredness.

I have been to the Drs when I had no idea what was wrong and I really don’t want to go back because I don’t want them to think I am a hypochondriac.

So, am I over reacting and looking for things to match the symptoms because my head wants to in which case I need to get a grip or am I on the right tracks by thinking this could be MS. What am I going to do? I don’t want to mention it to my brother or anyone else because I am meant to be the healthy strong one, lots of long term illness in my family. Its the pain I need to get rid of.

So come on experts what’s my plan, I call the Drs and they don’t have any appointments and I work an hour from them so nipping to the quacks isn’t really an option any time soon. I have got anatryptaline for sciatica so I have started back on them temporarily

all replies very greatfully recieved, those saying check this or that and those saying yep that was me!

2

Hello and welcome

The good news is that the fact your brother has MS only slightly increases your chances of also having MS, so it’s much more likely to be something else (and there are plenty of possibilities). Also, the all over pain you describe isn’t a typical presentation of MS. Even better, all of the things you list can be caused by a vitamin deficiency so it could be that a simple blood test and supplements could cure it all.

But there is only one way you are going to find out and that’s to start the investigation process by seeing your GP.

If I were you, I would keep it simple if the GP is already showing signs of not listening: pain when moving eyes, dropping things and extensive joint and muscle pain. I wouldn’t mention MS at all - medics don’t tend to like it much when we self-diagnose or make suggestions.

Good luck.

Karen x

3

Hi Karen

Thank you for your reply I very much appreciate it. I have had a full set of done in the last 2 months to rule out all sorts of things that could be causing my joint pain but nothing, everything is fine, even my B12. I have been taking multi vits for a long time thinking it might be a vit deficiency and I also take supplements of cod liver oil and calcium and omega 3,6,9.

My Drs are aware that I have been experiencing problems and that I have not found much comfort through my chiropractor which is unusual. I have started taking amitriptyline again (prescribed for sciatica) which definitely seems to help but knocks me out and I hate the effect it has on me.

I take note of not mentioning anything to the Dr about my ideas. I work an hours drive in one direction which takes me an hour and half away from the Drs which is one reason I don’t want to visit them. They are married and disagree about the correct approach and now I don’t want to see either of them because I don’t want them to think I am choosing and it makes me feel uncomfortable now. I think they are close to a divorce.

Anyway, thats my problem.

Take care Karen.

Helen

4

Have you had your vitamin d tested? It’s not always done as standard and a deficiency can cause joint and muscle pain (and other things). If I were you I would tell the GPs that they ate making you uncomfortable and that unless they can agree (and be supportive) you will have to find a new practice. Your GPs’ feelings should not be your problem! Kx