I found this message board recently when trying to research MS and have found it to be a great source of information. I've been on this painful and frustrating journey of trying to get a diagnosis for several months. When I started to read through the posts here, I decided to share my story in the hopes of getting some answers from people who are suffering from many of the exact same problems I am having.
In August, I finally decided to see my GP about problems that I've been having with the limbs on the right side of my body. The arm and fingers on my right side often feel like they are asleep with an annoying tinging, prickling and painful sensation. I also have the same feelings in my right leg that run from the top of my leg, through my knee and all the way to the ends of my toes. My knee and calf ache with pain. My GP referred me to a Neuro in August and that's been a very frustrating ordeal. At my first visit with the Neuro, he did a very generic reflex test and ordered an MRI of my lower back. He also ordered a nerve conduction test for my right leg only. The MRI of my lower back came back normal and won't do anything else until the nerve conduction. He did change the nerve conduction to include my right arm but I've yet to have it. There is a six week waiting time for those tests so I'm waiting...
My symptoms have grown to be worse and at times unbearable. In addition to the tingling and numbness, now I'm waken in the morning with pain in my hands. The joints are stiff and bending my fingers is painful and difficult. A friend recommended a Neuro that is specialized in MS and when I called to make an appointment, they told me I would need a referral or the records from the first Neuro that I saw. I tried to explain to them that the first Neuro has only seen me twice and done nothing but they still required records. I called my friend back and she said that I would have a much easier time getting an appointment with a referral. At that point, I made an appointment with a Chiropractor last week and he immediately worked me in to his schedule. If anything, I figure he can help with the pain.
Last week was my first appointment and for the first time in awhile, I felt like someone was actually listening to me. After we discussed the problems I'm having with my right arm and leg, he did a reflex and muscle test and said there is a significant weakness on the right side. He also pointed out that the toes on my right foot were purple and there seemed to be some sort of circulation problem. The toes were also cold. He did x-rays to rule out a disc problem and ordered an MRI of my brain and neck. He did say that on the x-rays, there looked to be a fusion between two of the vertebrae at the top of my spine. He did an adjustment and said he would do all he can to help manage things until I have an answer and that once we have the MRI results, he will refer me to the Neuro that my friend recommended if needed.
We talked briefly about MS and he told me to take some time to think about my health over the last few years and to write down any problems that I've had. When he said that, I told him about the HORRIBLE pain I had in my feet at the beginning of this year. I would wake up in the mornings and when my feet would hit the floor, it was sheer pain. It felt like I was walking on my bones and it would take me awhile to get going. It hurt so bad during the day that wearing shoes was impossible. I saw a Podiatrist at the time and he did an MRI on my feet and said it was normal with no broken bones. The Podiatrist did note that my toes were starting to cross, more so on my right foot, but said it was just an age thing. (I'm only 36.)
And then I had a light bulb moment. In May of 2010, I developed problems with my bladder. I was having constant bladder spasms and couldn't completely empty. I saw a Urologist and first tried catheter treatment but it was unsuccessful. Test showed that immediately following urination, my bladder was still 80% full. In July the Urologist performed a bladder hydrodistention and cystoscopy. The final diagnosis was Interstatial Cystitis. Things are better with only mild spasms.
I've not noticed any problems with my vision. I have developed a twitch in my left eye but nothing else that I can think of. I've had some memory issues but attributed those to a big family and hectic life.
After talking with the Chiro and doing internet research, my gut feeling is that this is MS. I've read story after story of people with the same problems. I'm trying so hard to stand strong in my faith and keep a positive attitude but at times, it's hard. I'm a stay at home mom to three boys and every day it's getting harder and harder to fulfill my responsibilities and be everything they need me to be. I'm having more bad days than good days. For example, today my leg hurts so bad I just want to lay in bed and cry.
I'm right handed and feel like I'm losing muscle strength everyday. It's hard to do something simple like fold clothes because I'm losing my grip. I even had some difficulty holding a pen today.
I had the MRI of my neck and brain today and in a strange way, praying that they find something so I get help. I'm struggling with that because no one should ever want something to be wrong with them.
I would appreciate anyone's tips on making myself heard. I KNOW something is wrong with my body and I KNOW that it's getting worse and worse. How do I help others understand that?
Sorry for the ramble and thank you for reading if you've made it this far.
In August, I finally decided to see my GP about problems that I've been having with the limbs on the right side of my body. The arm and fingers on my right side often feel like they are asleep with an annoying tinging, prickling and painful sensation. I also have the same feelings in my right leg that run from the top of my leg, through my knee and all the way to the ends of my toes. My knee and calf ache with pain. My GP referred me to a Neuro in August and that's been a very frustrating ordeal. At my first visit with the Neuro, he did a very generic reflex test and ordered an MRI of my lower back. He also ordered a nerve conduction test for my right leg only. The MRI of my lower back came back normal and won't do anything else until the nerve conduction. He did change the nerve conduction to include my right arm but I've yet to have it. There is a six week waiting time for those tests so I'm waiting...
My symptoms have grown to be worse and at times unbearable. In addition to the tingling and numbness, now I'm waken in the morning with pain in my hands. The joints are stiff and bending my fingers is painful and difficult. A friend recommended a Neuro that is specialized in MS and when I called to make an appointment, they told me I would need a referral or the records from the first Neuro that I saw. I tried to explain to them that the first Neuro has only seen me twice and done nothing but they still required records. I called my friend back and she said that I would have a much easier time getting an appointment with a referral. At that point, I made an appointment with a Chiropractor last week and he immediately worked me in to his schedule. If anything, I figure he can help with the pain.
Last week was my first appointment and for the first time in awhile, I felt like someone was actually listening to me. After we discussed the problems I'm having with my right arm and leg, he did a reflex and muscle test and said there is a significant weakness on the right side. He also pointed out that the toes on my right foot were purple and there seemed to be some sort of circulation problem. The toes were also cold. He did x-rays to rule out a disc problem and ordered an MRI of my brain and neck. He did say that on the x-rays, there looked to be a fusion between two of the vertebrae at the top of my spine. He did an adjustment and said he would do all he can to help manage things until I have an answer and that once we have the MRI results, he will refer me to the Neuro that my friend recommended if needed.
We talked briefly about MS and he told me to take some time to think about my health over the last few years and to write down any problems that I've had. When he said that, I told him about the HORRIBLE pain I had in my feet at the beginning of this year. I would wake up in the mornings and when my feet would hit the floor, it was sheer pain. It felt like I was walking on my bones and it would take me awhile to get going. It hurt so bad during the day that wearing shoes was impossible. I saw a Podiatrist at the time and he did an MRI on my feet and said it was normal with no broken bones. The Podiatrist did note that my toes were starting to cross, more so on my right foot, but said it was just an age thing. (I'm only 36.)
And then I had a light bulb moment. In May of 2010, I developed problems with my bladder. I was having constant bladder spasms and couldn't completely empty. I saw a Urologist and first tried catheter treatment but it was unsuccessful. Test showed that immediately following urination, my bladder was still 80% full. In July the Urologist performed a bladder hydrodistention and cystoscopy. The final diagnosis was Interstatial Cystitis. Things are better with only mild spasms.
I've not noticed any problems with my vision. I have developed a twitch in my left eye but nothing else that I can think of. I've had some memory issues but attributed those to a big family and hectic life.
After talking with the Chiro and doing internet research, my gut feeling is that this is MS. I've read story after story of people with the same problems. I'm trying so hard to stand strong in my faith and keep a positive attitude but at times, it's hard. I'm a stay at home mom to three boys and every day it's getting harder and harder to fulfill my responsibilities and be everything they need me to be. I'm having more bad days than good days. For example, today my leg hurts so bad I just want to lay in bed and cry.
I'm right handed and feel like I'm losing muscle strength everyday. It's hard to do something simple like fold clothes because I'm losing my grip. I even had some difficulty holding a pen today.
I had the MRI of my neck and brain today and in a strange way, praying that they find something so I get help. I'm struggling with that because no one should ever want something to be wrong with them.
I would appreciate anyone's tips on making myself heard. I KNOW something is wrong with my body and I KNOW that it's getting worse and worse. How do I help others understand that?
Sorry for the ramble and thank you for reading if you've made it this far.
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