So I actually thought I might be in the clear. My last MRI showed no new lesions and I’ve had no significant symptoms to speak of - until last week…
I tested positive for Covid a few weeks ago, and then last week I developed this awful tingly / itchy numb feeling around my eye which has since spread to the whole left side of my head / face, and down my neck and into my shoulder and a few finger tips. It’s keeping me awake at night and I want to claw my skin off.
Luckily, I had my regularly scheduled follow up with the neuro today, and need to have another MRI to see if there’s been any change which might account for the strange sensations I’m having. It could be MS, which has been a possibility for the past 3 years since my first ‘episode’ and 3 lesions found. BUT, it’s also possible that what experiencing is just a result of the Covid, but even then no one knows how long these feelings might last, or if the possible nerve inflammation/damage will reverse itself.
it’s been a long time since I considered MS a true possibility but now i feel like I’m back to square one, and I’m scared…
There’s a number of different issues here. First, you’ve had Covid, so the feelings you’re experiencing could be the aftermath. Second, it could be that you do in fact have MS and that will now be proven by MRI. Third, maybe it’s neither Covid, nor MS: maybe it’s something else that’s causing the problem.
Whatever the cause, the new MRI will hopefully rule MS in or out. If it’s not MS, you’ll never prove whether it was Covid or not. If it’s something else, then maybe the neurologist can help you to figure out what the cause is.
Supposing it is MS, it’s not a death sentence. You already know this from your previous worries. Neither is it definitely the cause of serious disability. If it’s MS, it’s pretty much certain to be the relapsing remitting variety for which there are now a large number of disease modifying drugs available. This makes disability even less likely.
If however, it’s not MS and not Covid, either it will go away by itself, or the neurologist will do more tests (probably over time given the extra delays caused by Covid) and discover what it is.
Don’t be scared. You’ve been through this kind of worrying situation before. Keep writing your fears on here, as before, people will try to help.
