I've been lurking about 2 weeks. I registered to respond to one post, and decided I should introduce myself.
My name is Jenn, I'm 33 and a sahm with 4 kiddos ages 12, 7, 6, and 2 1/2. They're all "special needs" 3 adopted through foster care that were drug exposed or addicted prenatally. My bio daughter has mild autism(not mild in how it affects her behavior), and we're dealing with severely learning disabled, ADHD, ODD, and sensory integration disorder. The kids, despite their issues, are wonderful kids(95% of the time) and the light of our lives. I've been married to my best friend now for 13 years and he's been a trooper.
I got sick a little over two years ago. Severe fatigue and pain in nearly every joint in my body. After a year of pain and disability, I finally got a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis(autoimmune inflammatory arthritis) and started Humira injections. They restored me to about 80% and really made life bearable again. Unfortunately, it didn't last. I enjoyed a good six months, then the pain started to increase gradually. I've been miserable the past few months. I was going to change medications and try another one, but that's on hold now, considering the new neurological symptoms that have presented. The anti-TNF arthritis drugs are a no no if I have MS.
I woke up, nearly 2 weeks ago, with a numb arm and hand. I thought it was a pinched nerve; it's happened before. After regaining feeling in most of my hand and arm, I kept having bizarre, uncontrollable twitches in that hand all day. Ever since, I've had weird tremors on occasion and my pinky and ring finger are numb, plus the side of my hand.
Things kept progressing from there. I started having myoclonic jerks all day long, then a strange buzzing/vibrating sensation throughout my entire body. Then I developed severe headaches, and numbness in my foot and leg, plus feelings like bugs were skittering up my affected leg and hand/arm. I've also been extremely exhausted: like can't stay awake more than a few hours. This past weekend, I probably slept 18 hours a day.
Today, I went to my pcp. I have loss of strength in my right hand and leg. I got a shot of Tordol(sp?) to try to help with the headache. Can't get stronger pain meds cuz I'm in pain mgmt, already on meds. The shot helped for a few hours, then the headache came back with a vengeance.
So, I've come here because I know my symptoms point to MS. I already have an autoimmune disease, so I know the likelihood of developing another is there.
I'm hoping it's not MS, for obvious reasons, but mainly because if it is, my treatment options for the arthritis are very limited. I'm diabetic, so no steroids, allergic to one of the other common drugs, and I'll basically only be able to take NSAIDs and pain meds while my joints continue to deteriorate and my disability gradually increases.
So there's my story so far. Sorry to ramble on so long. I'm glad I've found this site. I've read and learned a lot.
-Jenn
My name is Jenn, I'm 33 and a sahm with 4 kiddos ages 12, 7, 6, and 2 1/2. They're all "special needs" 3 adopted through foster care that were drug exposed or addicted prenatally. My bio daughter has mild autism(not mild in how it affects her behavior), and we're dealing with severely learning disabled, ADHD, ODD, and sensory integration disorder. The kids, despite their issues, are wonderful kids(95% of the time) and the light of our lives. I've been married to my best friend now for 13 years and he's been a trooper.
I got sick a little over two years ago. Severe fatigue and pain in nearly every joint in my body. After a year of pain and disability, I finally got a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis(autoimmune inflammatory arthritis) and started Humira injections. They restored me to about 80% and really made life bearable again. Unfortunately, it didn't last. I enjoyed a good six months, then the pain started to increase gradually. I've been miserable the past few months. I was going to change medications and try another one, but that's on hold now, considering the new neurological symptoms that have presented. The anti-TNF arthritis drugs are a no no if I have MS.
I woke up, nearly 2 weeks ago, with a numb arm and hand. I thought it was a pinched nerve; it's happened before. After regaining feeling in most of my hand and arm, I kept having bizarre, uncontrollable twitches in that hand all day. Ever since, I've had weird tremors on occasion and my pinky and ring finger are numb, plus the side of my hand.
Things kept progressing from there. I started having myoclonic jerks all day long, then a strange buzzing/vibrating sensation throughout my entire body. Then I developed severe headaches, and numbness in my foot and leg, plus feelings like bugs were skittering up my affected leg and hand/arm. I've also been extremely exhausted: like can't stay awake more than a few hours. This past weekend, I probably slept 18 hours a day.
Today, I went to my pcp. I have loss of strength in my right hand and leg. I got a shot of Tordol(sp?) to try to help with the headache. Can't get stronger pain meds cuz I'm in pain mgmt, already on meds. The shot helped for a few hours, then the headache came back with a vengeance.
So, I've come here because I know my symptoms point to MS. I already have an autoimmune disease, so I know the likelihood of developing another is there.
I'm hoping it's not MS, for obvious reasons, but mainly because if it is, my treatment options for the arthritis are very limited. I'm diabetic, so no steroids, allergic to one of the other common drugs, and I'll basically only be able to take NSAIDs and pain meds while my joints continue to deteriorate and my disability gradually increases.
So there's my story so far. Sorry to ramble on so long. I'm glad I've found this site. I've read and learned a lot.
-Jenn
Comment