Hi all
Found this forum by accident while doing a bit of research. Went to the doctor a few weeks ago complaining of pins and needles and numbness in my legs and hands. At night I wasnt sleeping as my legs were really aching and I couldn’t get comfortable. I already have a hip problem with an impingement in the right hip so the doctor thought it might be a nerve problem because of that and referred me to orthopaedics.
Over the following week the symptoms got worse and I had a friend who is an osteopath and physio look at me who said there was no problems with my spine and unlikely to be a link with the hip.
Meanwhile I was starting to get a bit stressed with the problem and was getting stabbing pains in my shins. Knowing there was a history of high blood pressure and diabetes in the family I was put in for a full blood test.
Went back for the results yesterday and apparently my bloodwork shows that I am fantastically healthy. I sat with the doctor and talked about everything that i was experiencing which by now includes a burning sensation in the feet and feeling strange when walking and general weakness. When I walk I feel like an old man (i’m only 46) and feel like my legs don’t actually belong to my body, its a weird sensation, which makes walking a bit nerve racking. Anyway the doctor pulled in close and said he was going to write a letter to the hospital for a referral to Neurology for testing for MS and wrote the letter while I was there.
Wondering how long the average wait is to get to see a consultant and testing. The waiting bit isnt very nice and its very difficult to explain to loved ones what these symptoms feel like.
Jon
Hi Jon
I’m not sure which country you are in but I would expect 8 weeks in the UK. However, you may consider paying for a private appointment initially and then moving over to NHS, if you are in UK. You will defo need a brainscan. I was only diagnosed this year myself
It should t take long then Jon but I hope that it’s not an MS diagnosis for you. Having said that, MS is manageable these days, with loads of treatments out there. Getting any diagnosis allows you to move forward with your life
Hi Jon
I’m a 47 year old female from Uk. I finally went to docs in January this year after 11 years of numbness and strange sensations down my right side. First appointment with neurologist was in May. Mri in June which showed lesions in brain and thoracic & cervical spine. Lumbar puncture at the end of July and received my diagnosis of MS on 12th August. I’ve got follow up appointment on the 30th August to discuss ongoing management. Overall the whole process to me has been really quick. I know many people wait a long time for diagnosis of Ms. I’m new to it all so don’t know what to expect. To say I’m bricking it would be an understatement. Totally agree the waiting is awful. Good luck
Hi
Just to update on what has happened so far. Symptoms have been getting worse with co-ordination problems. Hadn’t heard anything from the hospital so decided to go for a private consultation. I saw the consultant who was the lead Neurologist at the local hospital but is not semi retired. Had about an hours appointment during which he went through my history and then did lots of muscle, eye and nerve tests. He has concluded that I have symptoms that might suggest MS such as weakness in limbs, numbness and poor co-ordination and has recommended MRI of the spine, skull and neck with further specialist blood tests. Unfortunately it was a private consultation and I will now have to wait to be referred back into the NHS. At least I know it isn;t all in my head now. Will just have to wait and see now.
Jon