Heya, I’m new to the forum and hoping for a bit of insight. 3 weeks ago i went to bed with a terrible headache and woke in the night to find both my thighs were numb. Three weeks on and they are still numb, but the numbness spreads daily and now covers most of my legs and feet and i am starting to get symptoms in my arms as well. It is completely symmetrical, with each side progressing in the same place at the same time. My gp is referring me for nerve conduction tests but has suggested MS as a possible cause. I was wondering whether anyone else had experienced numbness like this where it is symmetrical and worsening? I have a diagnosis of ME as well, and have had many symptoms over the years which could have been either ME or MS, but have not been investigated and were just put down to the ME. Thank you in advance for any suggestions or help! Eggotchi
Hi Egotchi, I think from what I’ve read and been told everyone’s symptoms are different. Of course I’m no expert, but have been going through similar experiences since May, when my numbness started up. I’ve had every test under the sun since then, and although I am now in regular contact with the MS nurse, the neurologist says everything points to MS but hasn’t put it in black and white yet ! All I can suggest is that you become as proactive as possible and keep on at your doctor to get you seen by the right people. It’s a long drawn out process, but I’ve found by pushing as much as possible, I am a lot higher in the queue than I would have been ! So good luck and hang in there. Ferry
Hi Eggotchi
As Ferry has said, no ones MS presents in exactly the same way, but also there are many symptoms common in MS that are also common in other disorders. So essentially, even if someone has had exactly the same symptoms as you and a diagnosis of MS, this does not necessarily mean you have MS. Conversely, someone with precisely the same symptoms as you who does not have MS will not indicate that you don’t. (If all this makes sense!)
You’ve said your GP is referring you for nerve conduction tests. Has your GP also referred you to a neurologist? Because regardless of the result of nerve conduction tests, only a neurologist can diagnose, or rule out, MS. And generally the tests are an MRI scan, possibly a lumbar puncture and / or visual evoked potential tests.
So in your position, I’d be asking my GP for a referral to a neurologist. It does sound as though your symptoms have some kind of neurological basis, at least that’s what your GP is supposing, otherwise why mention MS or send you for a neurological test?
Sue