Hi everyone 
Now where do I start…
Since I became a teacher and moved for my job(in my 4th year up here now) I seem to be suffering from shingles at least twice each year!Each time I’ve been to the doctor and had it diagnosed, given antivirals and signed off sick for a few weeks(more due to the flu like symptoms than the worry of it being contagious).
However since Easter - the last time I had shingles(before now!) I’ve had terrible pains in my arms initially then my legs - burning sensation and pins and needles/numbness. After visiting my GP and being told it was because I was overweight(which I am)/likely to be suffering from depression thats all it was. Needless to say I moved GP during the summer hols - I was no longer in the catchment for that one anyway! Had my first appointment with the GP in august and straight away I was put on amytriptyline and referred to the neurologist as possibly having CTS.
Between the start of term and my neurology appt I’d been more tired than normal, seemed to be getting headaches/migraines more often, had dizzy spells and the pain in my arms and legs was getting much worse.(did have my eyes tested too and got asked to do the spatial perception test 4 times until I passed) I went back to the doctor with a viral infection and the need for something to dry up my bowel movements after a week of living in the bathroom in mid-september(I needed a line for being off for 2 weeks again!) where I had been sent home from work in tears of exhaustion. I also had problems with my vision - it’s like I’m seeing through a tunnel and not aware of anything that isnt immediately in front of me) During this the doctor mumbled something about thinking I fitted the symptoms and profile of someone with MS but to ignore her and of course it wouldn’t be that(funny how its stuck in my mind since).
End of october I eventually got my neurology appt and had my bloods checked etc - everything seemed normal and the Neurosurgeon said he would order electrical tests for arms as he thought it was atypical CTS.(neither of us mentioned MS).
Again a long wait for an appt which I got in mid-dec - by this time I was really struggling with my work and exhaustion, the pains were much worse, when I was teaching I was clinging to my computer chair for fear of falling over, I can only describe it as being drunk(I’m tee-total!). I find it difficult to write on the whiteboard above my head, when doing practical demos I seem more prone to spilling the contents of the beakers and I find it increasingly difficult to find the words I’m searching for - I’m also getting very forgetful(shouldn’t admit this but there are still a few kids whose names are a complete blank to me - I usually have them learnt by september!).
Anyway still awaiting the results from december and to see if I’m being discharged, treated for CTS or going for an MRI.
I’ve managed a week and 3 days back at work before going off sick again(have a months line from the doctor). The dizziness at work became too much as did the migraine that followed - my fiance also had to take time off for 2 days as I didn’t have a clue who or where I was. Since then the leg/arm pains have me crying in pain(is it normal for your hands/feet to be freezing when they used to always be warm?!). I’ve slept non-stop and even reheating soup for 3mins warrants a 3 hour nap after it! Last week I noticed the shingles tingle and yesterday around my head and neck the watery little blisters and itch are here with a vengeance - as is the temperatures and ache in my jaw that I get.
Call me paranoid but I really don’t think this is CTS and am worried that if I don’t get a diagnosis(not neccessarily of MS) then even I’m going to start thinking I’m imagining all of this!
