Well, i’ve come across this website and the Forum’s and thought I’d share my symptoms and see what you think. I’ve been to my doctor whom sent me for blood tests and also referred me for an Scan for my bladder which I’ve have to go to on 23rd August, due to having extreme urgency to need the toilet. My blood test results are : ESR ~ 29 but stable , Blood count ~fine , Anti immune ~fine and Rheumatiod factor ~ also fine…when I spoke to a different doctor for results over the phone . ( The doctor I saw in the surgrey is currently on a two week holiday).
My symptoms are : feeling extremely tired, pain in both arms esp elbow and wrists ( lifting up a kettle is painful), sometimes my knuckles hurt too. I get pain in my legs from hips, through to knees down to my ankles. Lower back and neck pain. Sometimes the pain in my right leg is sharp and comes on quickly and i have to get comfortable…I get a crawling feeling in my hair, headaches. Also in the pass been told I had vertigo and was given some tablets to help, but lately I get a dizzy feeling and I find it hard to concenrate especially if there’s lots of noise or voices. I suffer from stress and have anixety attacks. Numbness and tingling feeling in my hands, mainly my left hand that can last from 10 to 45 mins. My ears sometimes ring or feel like someone is covering my ear so i cant hear properly, than within a few minutes thats gone and hearing is back. My mood swings arent good either. Been signed off work with stress for a year and next visit from my Bosses at home, they are going to talk to me about the next step forward for the company ~ basically if Im not fit or cant return to do my job in the call centre then it’s time to part company was what I got told yesterday, as they cant do anything while im getting company sick pay but that ends next month.
I feel like there’s always something wrong with me, with pains and aches or always yawning and tired. I’ve only got to do a bit of housework and Im hot and tired after. Some days are better and I can feel like I do more, but the next day Im shattered.
Does this sound like it could be MS ? Ive tried doing some research on all my symptoms and Ms comes up. I will see my doctor again after my scan next Thursday.
Some of your symptoms could be described as MS-like, but there are a whole bunch of conditions that have similar symptoms and of course impossible to tell on here if it could be MS or not.
As you probably realise from reading this forum, MS is often difficult to diagnose. The process would normally begin by a referal by your GP to a neurologist who would then give you a physical examination and send you for an MRI scan of your brain. This would be to see if you have scars on your brain which might indicate MS.
It’s good that your GP has sent you for blood tests because a lot of conditions that can cause these symptoms can show up in the blood… but not MS. Even something as simple as a vitamin deficiency can cause symptoms like you describe.
However, if nothing does show up in your blood I think you should ask your GP for a referal to a neurologist. This would be the first stage in the process to see if something neurological is causing your problems… and there are lots of other conditions besides MS that could be causing the problems.
I also think that your particular symptoms sound a bit like ME (or sometimes called CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). It’s a condition that also causes very distressing symptoms such as you describe so would be worth keeping in mind… however, I would advise you against googling symptoms (however tempting it is). It really doesn’t help and there is a whole load of cr*p on the internet as I’m sure you know. The best thing to do would be to discuss it with your GP.
You also need to get some help about applying for benefits as your job is ending so soon. I suggest you make an appointment with CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) and get advice on what benefits to apply for and how to apply. Do this as soon as possible as they will take a while to get processed. Also you should check with them to see if your employers are doing the right thing by letting you go right now. Local CAB phone number can be found in local phone book or on internet.
I really hope you get some answers soon and find out what are causing your symptoms… as I say, it could be a whole bunch of things and not necessarily neurological or MS.
My doctor whom I see for stress and my anti drepresants put the pain down to stress. She had doen bloods before for Throid etc all came back ok.
I know alot about ME (CFS)as our15 yr old daughter was diagnosed with it 2 years ago. We travel down to the UCLH in Euston road where they have helped her. Im her carer. I’ve tried not to think about my feeling unwell, and thought my doctor could be right just stress , never even thought of me possibly having ME or MS, but since my symptoms started and have built up… I now feel awlful and in pain all the time it seems now. The amount of afternoons Ive dosed off on this school holidays is terrible. As for getting up, its hard, I wake up tired and legs are stiff…
Not sure when the doctor will get results back from scan thats next Thursday 23rd, or even if they will tell me much there and then. Then we are away for a week. I will definetly go back and see him, cos Im constantly in pain, and I have never felt like this. I will listen to what he has to say/ suggest then ask about a Neurologist .
Not sure I’ll be able to claim any benefits as hubby works over 24 hrs. I shall look into though. Thankyou x
I went for my bladder scan, no lumps or bumps showed up… I do have weak muscles and have been given exercises to do and a list of drinks to try an avoid which make sytpoms worse. Had white blood cells show up in urnine so that was sent of to lab for further testing. Ive got another appointment in October.
Anyway, Ive just got back for a weeks holiday. During this time, I’ve felt poorly, I noticed where I used to be able to take the heat I struggled abit this time…laying on the sunbed I noticed occasionly twiching when id dosed off and it woke me up suddenly. Had terrible bowel problems too and it was embrassing . I called my doctors to check on urine sample ~all ok I was told. She said on friday a letter sent sent to refer me to a Neurologist. So, not sure how long it’ll be before I hear back with an appointment. Im gutted cos she also told the doctor id seen to get this far has now left, my doctor who ive been seeing for stress over the past year has never really listened to my ache and pains and put all the pins and needles and tingling cold head sensations down to stress. Yet, never took anything further, so Im disappointed he’s left… but Im grateful he listened…
Im totally shattered and ache all in my legs and feel very stiff this morning again , last night I just couldnt get comfortable at all…
welcome to the forum! as the others have said, your symptoms do sound MS - like but there are loads of other less horrid conditions, you will always find someone willing to listen here
Thanks for your reply… Of course Im hoping it’s not, naturally…but least this doctor has referred me, so at least someone in the know can check me over etc… Im fed up feeling all these different syptoms…even the breezy tingling feeling is getting worst and it happens all over now not just in the legs, but now in arms and across my shoulders, its weird feeling and its getting more frequant now… not sure how long it’ll be for an apointment at my local hospital . So, will just do the best I can on a daily basis
Hi x It is very hard with MS as the symptoms are so varied and even with a diagnosis of MS I find it hard to know which of my symptoms are MS related or not. Good Luck x I have found this forum so useful. I hope you get some news soon. My best advice is that regardless of the diagnosis you obviously need some rest and remember it is important to look after yourself. This will help you feel better I am sure.
Hi guys, lovely to meet you all x. Wished I had found your site sooner. I
have several of Kims symptoms and been under the UCL for 18months now, searching for answers and now I’m starting to get them, dont want them. My question if I may ask is… in final diagnosis of having MS, which is looking so what does this mean, where do I stand now, what should i do? I’m sorry if I’m coming across igronant, but the only thing i have looked up is this website, not symptoms or sequences, i know how I feel and dont need google for confirmation. Thanks in advance for your time, kind regards John
Hi John, and welcome It’s best to start a new thread so that everyone can see your post (a lot of people don’t revisit threads they’ve already read and replied to). The honest answer to your question is, apart from having to tell a few people, what you do after a diagnosis is exactly what you did before it - get on with life. MS does mean dealing with symptoms, various pills and supplements, hospital appointments and the like, but it absolutely not the end of the world. It takes a while to realise this mind you so if you are diagnosed with MS and, like we nearly all do, find it really tough to come to terms with, try and reassure yourself with what you read on here: it will get easier; life can still be good. If you change your mind about reading about MS, stick to this site and the MS Trust site - they provide good, objective info and free booklets. There is a lot of rubbish on the Internet so it’s good to get a proper understanding before you venture further! One thing to remember while reading: MS is massively variable so you will NOT get every symptom mentioned in the websites/booklets and some of the ones you do get may be very mild. There are also loads of meds, therapies and equipment to help you manage your symptoms. MS sucks, but it definitely could be worse! And life really can still be good. Karen x
Update : I have my appointment through, finally for Neurology on 30th November , yay. Relieved I now have a date, but apprehensive to how it goes.
I’ve not been feeling to good of late ,still really tired and have really bad heavy and achy arms and also found my wrist hurts when writing. I have noticed that my hands & feet have started to feel numb at times and I have to wiggle them to get the feeling back… Plus, a weird feeling started, I think the best way I can describe it is like a vibration , can anywhere in my body. or just in one part. Its been happening for about 3/4 weeks and was frightening the first few times I felt / noticed it happening.I had to check I wasnt moving. Does this happen to anyone else ?. I felt crazy when I told my husband about this. Also, does anyone esle have phases of watery eyes ? My eyes can be fine, then will just go and the next minute watery…the rest of the time they are fine. I do wear my glasses for tv/laptop and driving and wear prescrisption sunglasses too.
As for my bladder, well Im still having trouble and Im back see see the Urology the day before Neuro, this will be my 3rd appointment and she said if things haven’t improved, (which they haven’t) then she will give me something to ty and help. Just to have a nights sleep without getting up to the toilet 2/3 times would be great.
Hi mumof2sherbets :b) I too get the feeling you describe “buzzing” its like i have a tense machine conected :b) I get it in my hip but am not sure if it starts there? I would offer its nothing to worry about ive haf it some time now :b)
Its really weird feeling vibration, it just starts up, in my arms or legs or sometimes feels like it’s all over… Seems to go on and off on daily basis. Along with more numb times & tingling feeling in my feet… never had anything like this before…
The past year Ive had 4 lots of Tonsilitis since last October , and In May I was warned once more by this October and they will whip them out, funnily I’ve now passed that deadline and not had it again, now all this lot on top.
Its really weird feeling vibration, it just starts up, in my arms or legs or sometimes feels like it’s all over… Seems to go on and off on daily basis. Along with more numb times & tingling feeling in my feet… never had anything like this before…
The past year Ive had 4 lots of Tonsilitis since last October , and In May I was warned once more by this October and they will whip them out, funnily I’ve now passed that deadline and not had it again, now all this lot on top.
