Wondering and worrying

[Amna]

Hey everyone,
I'm trying this out to get another opinion and to get my concerns out with people who understand.
I'm a 23 year old female and been having odd symptoms since 2009. My maternal grandfather had MS which is why I started to look at that as a reason.
Symptoms:
-wrist pain
-numbness that comes and goes that started in my left fingers and now goes up my left arm
-hip pain
-occasional numbness in my entire leg from hip down including buttocks and genitals
-bladder and bowel issues
-I will be walking when my knee will not lock/will give out. I used to fall when this happened but now am able to catch myself.
-tinnitus and occasional muffled hearing
-cry at the drop of a hat
-will wake up still exhausted
-concentration and memory issues
-muscle spasms in arms, legs, back and face
-muscle spasm attack today that lasted 12 hours centering in my abs
-'restless leg' feeling in arms, legs and back
-eye pain centered behind eye ball
-no balance with eyes closed
-shooting numbness/shock like feeling down arms and legs
-dizziness upping standing especially after laying down
-random episodes of low body temp going down to 95 at times
- temp more likely to go down when sick than up. Have only had a true fever once since 2009 including when I had h1n1

My mom just keeps telling me that I need to toughen up and have better posture but I don't know how that explains everything. I'm thinking of bringing up my concerns with my doctor next visit but I'm worried it will just be pushed aside. Does anyone have any advice for how to approach it or if you think my concerns are valid?

Thank you!

[22cyclist]

Amna: Considering your age and family history, it would not be a bad idea for you to see a neurologist. Some of your symptoms are MS-like:

-numbness that comes and goes that started in my left fingers and now goes up my left arm
-occasional numbness in my entire leg from hip down including buttocks and genitals
-bladder and bowel issues
-I will be walking when my knee will not lock/will give out. I used to fall when this happened but now am able to catch myself.
-cry at the drop of a hat
-will wake up still exhausted
-concentration and memory issues
-no balance with eyes closed
-shooting numbness/shock like feeling down arms and legs

Your other symptoms:
-wrist pain: could be caused by anything.
-tinnitus and occasional muffled hearing: although hearing problems can come with MS, tinnitus does not usually occur in CNS problems, more with PNS problems. But you can mention it to your MS specialist.

-muscle spasms in arms, legs, back and face
-muscle spasm attack today that lasted 12 hours centering in my abs
-'restless leg' feeling in arms, legs and back: I put these all together because they are not usually associated with early MS, especially abs. Another thing you can mention to the MS doc.

-eye pain centered behind eye ball: sounds more like a headache/migraine. Eye pain in Optic Neuritis is more pain with movement.

-dizziness upping standing especially after laying down: sounds more like orthostatic hypotension. You need to drink more.

-random episodes of low body temp going down to 95 at times
- temp more likely to go down when sick than up. Have only had a true fever once since 2009 including when I had h1n1: I have to say that it is common for MSers to have lower than normal temps, but going down when sick I haven't heard of. That will be a good one for the neurologist as well.

So, after all of that. If you have not seen your primary care doc., then you need to, and ask for a referral to see an MS specialist. You at the very least need to be examined by a neurologist. So see about making that happen ASAP.

Maybe it will be all for nothing, and that would be good, but for now it seems you need to be seen.

Take care for now and let us know how it goes.

Lisa
Moderation Team

[suziq38]

Before you see a neurologist, make sure you have good insurance.
I have nothing to add (Lisa is very thorough), except I am sorry you are going through all of this.
Hugs.

[Amna]

Thank you both. Thankfully in Canada we don't have to worry about insurance.
As I'm probably going to end up back at the hospital today due to ongoing spasms (now at 24hours with the only breaks being medicine induced) I will request a neuro consult then. My PCP is on vacation so I can't see her until my appointment on the 22.
It's nice to have someone else's opinion who doesn't just sweep it under the rug.

[Amna]

Went back to the hospital today about my ongoing muscle spasms(at 36 hours now). Not only did the doctor say that he had no clue what was causing it and I should try relaxing and going for walks but he told me that MS has no family history component and there's no reason to think I could have it. I'm still going to talk to my PCP about my concerns but I am so frustrated with the hospital.

[suziq38]

He is wrong family history is a component for MS.
I hope that someone else can verify this.
Try to find more information on the internet.

Start documenting your weaknesses and feelings.
Do you trip or fall more now?

Are you more tired in the afternoons or when it is really hot?

Keep a health diary.

This may help you when you talk to your doctor.
If anything happens that is truly strange, call your doctor.

If you have severe symptoms, go to the hospital, they will get you help, especially if your doctor is not listening.

Hugs.