What is this?

[agent387]

Let me start off by saying that I have never had any diagnosis of any sort of MS. However, through some research, my symptoms seem to be related to MS, so I thought I would see if anyone here has any suggestions. I have told my doctor about my symptoms before, but he didn't know what could be wrong, and suggested that I see a neurologist which I have neglected yet to do.

I am currently 18 years old and started feeling symptoms sometime around the age of 13. I cant remember the exact date, but I can definitely remember the experience. Since the beginning of my issues the symptoms have stayed the same, but the frequency seems to be getting worse, and from what I've experienced it seems to be worse when I am tired, anxious, nervous, or excited.

I have come to the conclusion that I am having some sort of spasms, which are triggered by a sensation in my leg. It is truly an impossible feeling to describe, but it is a sort of awareness that there is an feeling there. Over the years I have become very conscious of this feeling, and know exactly what it means. Tensing of my calf and foot are major triggers of the paralysis, which affects only the left side of my body. The leg with the odd feeling in it is also on the affected side of the body.

The "attacks" last only a few second, but I lose all control over the complete left side of my body. During this time I am completely aware of what is happening, but simply cant control what that side of my body does. It is extremely prevalent when I get up quickly and use force on the left side of my body. It seems to help, however, If I focus on something or take a deep breath when I can feel an attack coming on. Something that takes deep thought like a math problem seems to help, or maybe I'm just convincing myself that it help.

Today I was convinced that my problem was neurological. A friend of mine had given me a couple of adderall to help me with a standardized test, so I took one today to make sure that it would make me crazy, and effect my tests scores in a negative way. To my surprise, not only did they help me in school, but they also helped with my attacks!I had even tried to make myself have an attack, which I am usually able to do by tensing the muscles in my calf, but had no luck Now, I don't know if this has any relation to MS, but I figured it was important enough to include in here just in case.

If anyone has experienced similar symptoms or has any suggestions, please let me know! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

P.S. I know that I clearly need to see a neurologist and an appointment will be made, but I was surfing the web and figured I might as well start here.

Let me know if you have any more questions regarding what is happening. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability, but it is so hard sometimes, as i'm sure many of you are aware, to describe what is happening...

Also, as I mentioned before my calf and ankle are triggers for the spasms. I guess I should explain that a little more. For example if I pull my foot towards my shin and stretch my calf muscle it seems to trigger the spasm. The attacks i'm having ALWAYS occur the same way, and I can feel when one is coming on. There is also a constant sort of numbness going from part of my thigh to my foot.

My symptoms are synonymous with some forms of epilepsy as well, so I was curious if there is often of misdiagnoses when it comes to MS and epilepsy?

Any and all replies are GREATLY appreciated!

[JerryD]

From your post, I gather you will be consulting a neurologist, soon. I suggest that your PCP do all of your blood tests including vitamin D, B-12 and magnesium and Lyme disease, just to name some that are overlooked by medical doctors. i suggest you ask the doctor,point blank, to do every test, possible. including MRI's. Please don't rely on the internet and rely, instead, on the opinion of your doctor. Good luck

[mjan]

First of all, I am sorry for what you are going through. I hope you can get in to see a neurologist. Know that he/she will do lots of lab work and tests to figure out what is going on.

As Jerry said, it could be low Vit D and B 12 deficiency. Also low potassium/magnesium can cause cramping.

But I would not tell them you can make it happen or they may just excuse you and not bother with any testing.

You do not have to answer this, but hopefully you are not doing any drugs or abusing any prescription drugs. If you are, tell the doctor that too.

Good luck in figuring this out.

Let us know how you are doing, but know that you may not get exact answers for awhile.

Jan

[agent387]

Yes, clearly I'm going to see a doctor soon, but I figured for now I'd at least do a little research. Just browsing a few different forums to get some peoples opinions on what it may be. By the way, I forgot to mention that any heart condition has been ruled out. Now I'm pretty convinced it's something neurological so I'm just looking at the options from MS to epilepsy.

[agent387]

You do not have to answer this, but hopefully you are not doing any drugs or abusing any prescription drugs. If you are, tell the doctor that too.


Jan

NO! definitely no drugs. As a mentioned in the post, however, I did try adderall recently for acedemic reasons. I know it's a prescription drug, and I know the risks involved and I'm not looking for a speech on that. I'm not even a recreational drug user, I just thought I'd try something to give me an extra boost, and as I mentioned it actually seemed to help with the symptoms!

Why do you recommend that I don't tell the doc I can make myself trigger it?

[aRiv]

I suggest you just go see whatever doctor(s) you need to see, and try to stay off of searching symptoms and things like that on the internet. I did that when I started getting my symptoms and gave myself crazy anxiety. Just go to the doctor and get the root of the problem. You might not get the results over night (it took me about 7 months, a few MRIs and different tests to finally get diagnosed), but it's just the best way to go about it. Don't put it off! I wish you the best!

[agent387]

I suggest you just go see whatever doctor(s) you need to see, and try to stay off of searching symptoms and things like that on the internet. I did that when I started getting my symptoms and gave myself crazy anxiety. Just go to the doctor and get the root of the problem. You might not get the results over night (it took me about 7 months, a few MRIs and different tests to finally get diagnosed), but it's just the best way to go about it. Don't put it off! I wish you the best!

Thank You! I will definitely be seeing a doctor soon. Just searching around for similar issues has given me no luck, so I figured I would at least post this and see if anyone has had anything similar. Not looking for a diagnosis via the internet!

[cindyw224]

See the neurologist

I agree with aViv, Don't research until you have a diagnoses. It can make you crazy with anxiety. I hope you get answers soon and find some relief.

[AmaniLat]

I suggest you just go see whatever doctor(s) you need to see, and try to stay off of searching symptoms and things like that on the internet. I did that when I started getting my symptoms and gave myself crazy anxiety. Just go to the doctor and get the root of the problem. You might not get the results over night (it took me about 7 months, a few MRIs and different tests to finally get diagnosed), but it's just the best way to go about it. Don't put it off! I wish you the best!

May I ask wqhat kind of tests did they run to confirm your diagnosis?

My neurologist only saw the MRI and said not to worry, it may be MS but i shouldn't over think it.

My husband wants me to get a confirmed diagnosis but the doc said no need to do anything because my sdymptoms are mild and the attacks are not that big a deal.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

[aRiv]

May I ask wqhat kind of tests did they run to confirm your diagnosis?

My neurologist only saw the MRI and said not to worry, it may be MS but i shouldn't over think it.

My husband wants me to get a confirmed diagnosis but the doc said no need to do anything because my sdymptoms are mild and the attacks are not that big a deal.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

I got blood work (negative), ultrasounds (negative), a brain MRI (negative), and finally two MRIs on my spine (cervical and thoracic)..I got one without contrast and then they ordered one with contrast and found 2 lesions. My neurologist said I didn't have to get the spinal tap because he's sure it's MS with my symptoms and all.

If I were you I probably would just go get another opinion considering he said it MAY be MS. If he's saying it may be, it should be taken more seriously. You owe it to yourself to make sure you're taken care of and to put your mind at ease!

[mjan]

NO! definitely no drugs. As a mentioned in the post, however, I did try adderall recently for acedemic reasons. I know it's a prescription drug, and I know the risks involved and I'm not looking for a speech on that. I'm not even a recreational drug user, I just thought I'd try something to give me an extra boost, and as I mentioned it actually seemed to help with the symptoms!

Why do you recommend that I don't tell the doc I can make myself trigger it?

aRiv, sorry I didn't mean to offend you about any drug use. It is just that there can be side effects or interactions that cause symptoms. You'll need to always bring in a list of anything you are taking, even supplements, aspirin etc. It is for your benefit that they know.

My concern for telling this neuro that you can make your symptoms happen, is that I was afraid they will simply dismiss you and not investigate any further. Also because you are young, they could miss something because they figure you are too young.

Know your family history and any and all of your childhood diseases, etc. along with your symptoms when you see any doctor. It helps them greatly.
I write it down and bring them a copy.

What do your parents think? Make sure you bring one of them along to appointments too.

Good luck, I hope you get answers and relief soon.
Jan

[agent387]

Has anyone ever heard of any of the symptoms I described?

[durgastiger]

Go to the ER!!!

Get to the ER complain of visual issues, headaches and numbness in your legs and hands.

You'll get an MRI immediately and they will run you for lymes, M.S. etc.

This obviously if you can afford it.

[mjan]

aRiv, sorry I didn't mean to offend you about any drug use. It is just that there can be side effects or interactions that cause symptoms. You'll need to always bring in a list of anything you are taking, even supplements, aspirin etc. It is for your benefit that they know.

My concern for telling this neuro that you can make your symptoms happen, is that I was afraid they will simply dismiss you and not investigate any further. Also because you are young, they could miss something because they figure you are too young.

Know your family history and any and all of your childhood diseases, etc. along with your symptoms when you see any doctor. It helps them greatly.
I write it down and bring them a copy.

What do your parents think? Make sure you bring one of them along to appointments too.

Good luck, I hope you get answers and relief soon.
Jan

OOPS. I didn't mean aRiv.. but this was meant for Agent387..sorry~

[fishead]

agent,

Please do see a Neurologist. To get a firm diagnosis, you will need to see a Neuro. Your doctor referred you because they don't know enough to understand what is going on. A specialist, such as a Neurologist is more capable of finding out what is going on.

Best of luck to you.