MRI Next Week

Hello everyone,

I’ve taken a bit of time to read through some posts before sharing my story and it’s been very helpful to find people who have similar circumstances. So, a little over a week ago now I started experiencing numbness and tingling in my left hand and arm. The numbness was only vague, like pins and needles, as if my hand/arm had fallen asleep and was in a perpetual state of waking up. I’ve dealt with some back issues, in particular a herniated disc in my lower back which causes recurrent episodes of sciatica. After about 3 days of the sensation worsening and spreading throughout my left side (from my neck down to my toes), I visited a doctor. I told her that I thought it was maybe connected with my back issues, but I found it strange that I did not have the usual stabbing pain that I would normally associate with my back issues. After checking the usual things (blood pressure, reflexes, etc.), she asked if anyone in my family has MS. I told her yes, my mother does. She then asked about family history of stroke. Again yes, my mother had a stroke last year. At this point she is looking a bit concerned and then says that she wants me to have a CT scan that night. Unfortunately, my insurance would not approve this.

Fast forward to now, I am finally scheduled to have an MRI next Tuesday. The way it was explained to me, the MRI of the brain and neck/shoulders will show signs of MS (lesions) or a pinched nerve if either of those are the cause of my symptoms. Between the initial doctor’s visit and now I have taken a full six-day round of prednisone. My symptoms included the numbness/tingling on left side, difficulty with balance while the numbness was taking place, weakness in the affected arm, and overall fatigue. Everything is mostly better, but I do still have some very minor tingling in the hand/arm where it originated. Through my involvement with my mother’s diagnosis and ongoing treatment, I am mostly familiar with the process and what to expect. I guess I’m not really looking for advice, but rather just putting my story out there as I don’t have too many people to talk to about it. I am a bit nervous in general about a possible diagnosis and what that could mean for me. I have two very young children (3 and 1) to keep up with. My mother is still very active at the age of 70, despite her MS and stroke, so she gives me a lot of hope and support.

If you’ve read to the end, thank you for taking the time! I wish everyone that best and I appreciate any encouragement that you could provide.

-Catherine

Hello Catherine,

Believe in yourself, if you DO get a diagnosis of MS you will cope.

The best thing about your babes is the cuddles, they are the best therapy.

My two boys were born 14 months apart and it was a messy/amazing time.

Your mum is a good role model.

so chin up, you will cope

Carole xx

Hi Catherine,

I also have two little ones, 5 and 1, and am on the verge of a diagnosis myself. I have found the most stressful part so far to be dealing with medical secretaries and making appointments! I’ve now handed that job over to my husband as I hung up on one this morning and burst into tears! Just with the sheer frustration of it all. I understand from other posts on here it’s a common experience to have to battle through several appointments/explanations etc before arriving at a diagnosis. Based on my limited experience so far I would recommend involving someone else in that side of things if you can, it is an enormous relief when someone makes the phone call for you!
Not sure if that’s helpful/relevant to you at all but at least thought I’d say hi, and you’re not alone x x x

PS also thought I’d share, I’ve heard a few different MS stories since starting on this journey and although some are scary I have heard from two people in particular who were diagnosed a decade ago in one case and two decades ago in the other and both are doing really well, leading active lives and happy. So as many people on here often say, there is certainly a good life to be had with it and with all the modern treatments available there is every reason to be optimistic about the outlook.