Hi I am new to this website and just wanted a bit of support really.
A few years ago I had numb spots across one of my arms and part of my chest which lasted a few weeks and I did nothing about them. They disapeared on their own and for the last few years I have had no other symptons that I know of.
Back in June this year my whole right leg went numb, including my foot and part of my torso. I got burning symptons every now and again also in my leg but generally felt fine. These symptons then disapeared completely again after a month. Meanwhile I was referred to a neurologist who put me through an MRI scan. I have not yet received my letter from the hospital and it has been four weeks. However the secretary has told me what the letter says.
She told me that there is inflammation on my brain and I have a follow up appointment with the GP in January. I have had no other symptons that I know of and feel quite scared at the moment of what it could be.
Does this sound like it could be the start of MS as this is what the GP has said it could be but can’t diagnose me at the moment.
Judging by your history, and the description of “inflammation” on your brain, then yes, MS would certainly be ONE possibility.
However, MS is not the only thing that could cause similar symptoms, or be described as “inflammatory”, so you’re really going to have to wait for the judgment of the experts. You might also need to undergo further tests, as things like this can be pretty tough to diagnose. Have you already had any blood tests? If not, you will certainly need those, as a minimum. MS does not show in the blood, but several mimics do, so MS will only be considered if blood tests are clear for everything else.
Thanks tina i really am thankfull for your response i have had all my bloods done and they were clear so it looks like waiting is the only option at the moment Lainey
it is a huge waiting game.i have 4 patches on my brain.but all other tests came back negative.i am now diagnosed with severe m.e with neurological symtoms.however m.e specialists are not convinced its ‘just’ m.e which in itself is disabling enough!!i’ve lost my job,i’m often bed ridden,mostly housebound.i walk with sticks when i do venture out.i have aids in the house and carers in.‘just’ m.e.lordy i wish tiredness was all it was!!
As Tina has already said, it does sound like MS is a possibility, but only a neuro can tell you for sure because there are a lot of mimics out there.
One thing that you may not be aware of is that MS is massively variable. Yes, there is a small percentage of us who are badly disabled, but there are also many of us who have very mild MS (to the extent that MS is sometimes first discovered at someone’s autopsy, when they’ve died of old age!). The rest of us are somewhere in between.
The past is often a good predictor of the future with MS so the fact that your symptoms have been pretty mild and short-lived is good news. IF it is MS, with any luck you’ll stay at that end of the scale.
Thank you for the info. I have read bits and bobs where it says that it can vary massivly and its very welcoming that you have said that people can go their whole lives without even knowing it just makes me feel a bit more relaxed. Its good to know that there are other people out there with similar issues and worries. This site is really helpful and gets you through some bad times when your mind is racing.