Hi, I’ve had pins and needles and numbness in my feet and lower legs (like when you’ve sat on your foot and given yourself a dead leg) constantly since beginning of December. Been back and forwards to the gp, got put on pregabalin, went back as it did nothing so he raised it. Oh my god!! I couldn’t stand up. The pins and needles were horrendous. I’ve had these symptoms on and off for a few years, usually when stressed. Breakdown of my marriage I was bad for, this one is because I’ve got the threat of being evicted hanging over me because benefits fked up my housing claim. My balance has left the building. Ran out is more accurate. I never had much balance anyway. Always bumping into things, can’t walk in a straight line. But I’ve gone worse. Dizzy when standing, can’t move like I did. I used to run up stairs!! Can’t bloomin walk up them. Pins and needles and numbness in my right arm and hand too. I’ve also had wee accidents, I’ve never been like that, unless it was with coughing when I had a cold, I’ve 3 kids so that took its toll on the nether region. But Tena is now my best friend. I finally got referred to the muscularskeletal team, who I saw on the 21st. Bend this way, that way, laughed with me when I was wobbling, hammered on the nerve points etc… then after asking about wee accidents and did I have trouble swallowing (at times I do, but it’s intermittent) told me to stand up feet together, cross my arms across my chest and close my eyes… I immediately start falling to my left. Right. Shake it out then try again… falling immediately. Oh, we need to get nerve tests done and an mri, I think it’s neuro… So I had my nerve test done on the 6th April, they’re fun. Especially when stabbing 3 inch needle in my leg, shin, calf and above my knee, which I didn’t feel. He looked at the woman doing the notes slightly behind him, I saw the look on her face and realised that I should have felt something. Got the mri on the 13th April. My mate works in booking for Walkden muscularskeletal team, wants to know what happened in the assessment as they don’t get people in so fast, even their emergency is at least 6/12 weeks wait. The only thing I know about ms, is my old neighbours, her husband died with it. He lost use in his legs first, ended up in a wheelchair, it git worse over the years then affected his breathing. He was 48.
Hi, first let me ease your fears about your poor neighbour who died so young.
It is very rare that MS kills people! Your neighbour may have had other medical problems, which on top of ms, affected him so badly.
It isnt that long till your MRI…maybe you wil have a lumber puncture too…depends on the neuro`s findings on examination and MRI results.
I know how scary all this is, but try to take a deep breath and let the neuro do his job.
Dont be reading up stuff that will on scare you even more.
If it is MS, then you need to get a good support network around you. Maybe you have relatives or friends who can help with the children.
Rest is very important with MS and you`ll need to pace your activities.
Accept any offers of help and look after yourself hun.
luv Pollx
Thanks Poll My kids are adults now (25,23,20), I’ve been battling for years, with a misdiagnosis of cfs, with the consultant Telling me how I felt, not actually listening to me. I’ve had boughts of numbness and pins and needles on and off for a few years. Both gp and the doc at the muscularskeletal team said they think it’s ms. Not just neuro. Have been given amitryptaline, supposed to start off on 10mg and work up to 50mg if I need it, but I told the gp I didn’t want them as they made me feel awful when I was given them for my shoulder. My leg gave way and I fell all the way down the stairs, as I’d put my arms out to stop myself hitting the wall, I landed on my socket breaking my shoulder. I’m 46 in may, feel like I’m barely existing, having to fight to get sorted out. In the meantime, picking up bruises like hitchikers. I’m falling abd bumping into things that often. Ann-Marie xx
Hi Ann-Marie
I’m another newbie going through diagnosis, and really sympathise how you’re feeling. My balance and walking have been dire, and I never even knew what tena was until about 6 weeks ago!
So how did your mri go?
take care
eve