Hello
I am completely numb from my ribs down and have been for about four weeks. I can walk ok but a bit wobbly. Lots of pins and needles in my feet. I had this about two years ago but it went away after about 4 weeks. I didn’t see the neurologist for about 3 months by which time I was back to normal. I had something similar about 4 months ago but it was just my hip that went numb and again it went away eventually.
Even without the numbness, I can be a bit unbalanced now - and my memory has got pretty bad.
I have been referred to a neurologist specialising in ms - my GP thinks that might be the cause and has asked for an urgent appointment but than can mean up to six weeks apparently. Waiting is really difficult!
Have others experienced these symptoms and gone on to be diagnosed with MS?
Thanks
David
Hi David,
Many people with MS experience similar symptoms, which is probably why your GP suspects it - however, that does NOT mean you definitely have it. MS has many mimics, and if it was possible to diagnose from symptoms alone, GPs would be allowed to do it, and you wouldn’t have to wait weeks for a neurologist.
So try to keep open-minded about the outcome. Also, MS is what’s known as a diagnosis of exclusion, which means there’s no specific test for it; it’s what’s left after all other explanations have been ruled out. There are tests that are used to help, but none of them can prove conclusively that a person does OR doesn’t have MS - it’s more a matter of looking at the overall evidence, and sometimes over quite a long period of time, too. There’s not always strong enough evidence to say, from initial scans and tests, so be prepared there may be no fast yes or no answers. This is not neuros being negligent, or refusing to commit themselves. There are very strict guidelines they have to adhere to, before an MS diagnosis can be made. Not enough evidence means no formal diagnosis, even if the neuro feels fairly certain - he still has to wait for enough evidence.
Try to bear in mind that there IS life on the other side of an MS diagnosis, even if it did turn out to be that. Yes, it makes life tougher - sometimes a lot tougher - but it’s not a death sentence. If you find yourself unable to resist reading about symptoms, do remember nobody gets all of them, and certainly not all at once. It’s an extremely variable and personal illness, and just because you read a horror story does NOT mean that’s what will happen to you. If it is MS, nobody else’s case is just like yours.
Tina
Hi Tina
What a super reply - thank you.
I am very lucky I think in that I can take life pretty much as it comes so I am not panicking - well not yet anyway!
It is not knowing that is so frustrating but as you say I may have to put up with that for a while.
Thank you for your advice
Best wishes
David
Hi Tina
What a super reply - thank you.
I am very lucky I think in that I can take life pretty much as it comes so I am not panicking - well not yet anyway!
It is not knowing that is so frustrating but as you say I may have to put up with that for a while.
Thank you for your advice
Best wishes
David