Is this MS?

[k18]

Hi,

I am 32/male. History of hypochondria in general. Bear with me as my story is long.

I had an episode of weakness in the right arm about a year ago. It was relatively sudden (I didn't feel like injure my neck at that particular point of time, but I do generally practice martial arts and go to gym and occasionally injure my neck) and I noticed it progressively worsen in 2-3 days. Especially noticeable in the gym during lateral raises. I also felt my leg was 'feeling' weird/weaker.

I went to the neurologist fearing ALS. He confirmed obvious arm weakness but told me it is not ALS and told me it is more likely neck injury. He said nothing was wrong with the leg. Sent me for neck MRI to confirm. Neck specialist confirmed pinched nerve and suggested going to chiropractor, but generally told me not to get injured again. Issue went away by itself in a week or two.

Continuing from then I routinely obsessed about my right arm and leg. Had anxiety issues, hyperventilation and tingling sensations around mouth. This was around the time my gf also broke up with me so that didn't help.

About 4 months ago I went to the neurologist again for anxiety issues (and right arm/leg 'feeling weird'). He again did neurological exam and said nothing looks clinically wrong and prescribed lexapro for anxiety as well as ordered brain MRI and EGG. Both came back clear.

I felt more or less fine after learning results of MRI/EGG and taking lexapro consistently. I went to neurologist (for follow up visit and told him I want to get off lexapro) and then I weened myself off it gradually about 3 weeks ago.

Now about a week ago I went to the gym, and suddenly noticed that my right arm is again noticeably weaker on bench press. It is not as extreme as a year ago, but I can definitely tell again that (clinically) it is weaker than my left arm.

I don't really have any other symptoms other than that. ALS doesn't come and go, but I know MS does. Could it be MS? Should I go back to the neurologist again? I am worried.

Thank you!

[debianne]

Hi, I think that if were ms, the mri would have came back with some lesions either old or new. I was dx by an mri, but if you are not feeling better, I would ask your dr. again just to rule it out.

[k18]

I guess I will go again, but doesn't MS require special brain MRI? And can it be that lesions disappear making MRI normal at the particular instance you take it?

[KatieAgain]

Hypochondria is a very difficult disorder in itself and I am certain many things are scary.

Just like ALS, Multiple Sclerosis just does not come and go. You might not be experiencing symptoms at any given time but the lesions on your brain or spine will be there. Both old and new.

To be fair, I will say that I did have a lesion on the spine that did heal and disappeared from the MRI. But that is quite rare.

My brain lesions will never go away no matter when the MRI is done.

I think your anxiety is probably the culprit here. Anxiety and stress can cause a plethora of symptoms, even the symptoms you are describing here.

Yes, I would recommend you returning to your doctor for advice. I am not a doctor, but if it helps, it does not seem like MS to me...and I have had MS a long time. I hope that comforts you in some small way.

[k18]

Hi Katie,

It does comfort me in small way. Hypochondria is nasty by itself agreed. However, the weakness I experience this time can be proven (just like a year ago), by doing physical exercises.

I guess I will go back to neurologist (he is a nice guy, but I think I saw him about ten times since in this past year) and see what he says.

And hope it is just a pinched nerve again.

Appreciate your comforting words.