Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Hi

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Hi

    Hi,

    I have not been diagnosed with MS. I'm having a lot of trouble getting my Dr to understand my symptoms. I keep going back and telling him the latest problem and he seems to forget what I have told him before.

    My new sympton (last 3 months) is a big numb patch just above my knee on the front of my leg. I have also had a flare up of calf muscle pain, it's so painful as to prevent sleep, and its not something that can be massaged (that makes it worse) .. the only cure is ibuprofen and curling up in a fetal position and keeping them still and warm with the electric blanket on.

    I've had so many things going wrong ... can't tell if my feet are hot or cold with pins and needles sometimes ... sometimes a buzzing through them, the feeling of wearing a hat or having sun glasses on my forehead, painful urination, IBS, burning feeling on my forearm, severe tinnitus and dizziness.

    Anyway Dr said drink plenty of water and we will see what happens to the numb patch on my leg. He did mention MS but said very uncommon in men. Its not the first numb patch, I had a numb strip down the other leg around 2 years ago - that went away.

    #2
    Welcome, Steve.

    Being in limbo is tough. Whether you have MS or something else, I hope you receive a dx soon.

    In addition to my MS specialist, I also see a functional medicine doctor. He recommends no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners (stevia okay because it's natural) for any chronic illness.

    You might want to consider this or do some googling about functional medicine.

    Drinking enough water is, getting adequate exercise, etc are also good strategies.

    Best wishes. Please keep us updated.
    ~ Faith
    MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
    (now a Mimibug)

    Symptoms began in JAN02
    - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
    - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
    .

    - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
    - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

    Comment


      #3
      Hi Mamabug ... thx for your reply.

      Yes do drink plenty of water already ... my calf muscles ache regardless .. thankfully those attacks only happen once or twice a year and last a week or 2 each time - bad at night getting better during the day.

      My diet is limited as I have IBS (spastic colon seen under colonoscopy) MSG and aspartame gives me a terrible migraine every time ... i get lots of migraines and headaches too.

      Sometimes it seems its like one of those dreams where you are speaking but no one can hear you.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Steve0 View Post
        I'm having a lot of trouble getting my Dr to understand my symptoms. I keep going back and telling him the latest problem and he seems to forget what I have told him before.

        Could be me but I hear alarm bells.

        At best... one more chance to address your concerns, then possibly consult someone less dismissive?

        Hopefully you will not need to join our support group.

        Comment


          #5
          Sorry your Doctor doesn't get it. If you haven't already, I would put together a timeline of symptoms, when the start, and how long they last. Keep this up to date and review with your doctor.

          For the calves, do you do any stretches? If I don't keep them stretched, I get terrible cramps. If you look for Achilles tendon stretches, this will give you some good stretches.

          Also totally agree that if your Doctor doesn't get it and can't keep it straight, it may be time to see someone else. It seems to me your doctor might think you are dehydrated, but if you drink plenty of water, shouldn't be the case. Has he done any bloodwork at least to look for any abnormalities?

          Hope you feel better soon.
          Kathy
          DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

          Comment


            #6
            I'm sorry you're going through this. You don't say what type of doctor you are consulting with but if it's not a neurologist, perhaps it's time to consult with one and ask for an MRI.

            Good luck and keep us posted.

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks for all the kind replies. I have only seen my G.P .... he mostly addresses each individual issues and puts allot down to stress.

              I did see another GP last year, that was more about a second opinion on another issue I've been having - abdominal cramps ... not colic, not stomach cramps, but abdominal cramps, its the muscle cramping up - I can feel it sometimes goes all the way around to the back, although I don't feel it at the sides like a band so I don't think its the hug thing ... I saw a physio and have stretching exercises for that and that helps ... it comes and goes. I tried to explain the other stuff going on to this new GP but you only get 15 minutes so its hard, especially if they are not currently active issues. He said he could do a CAT scan but since the exercises help and it comes and goes I haven't done that ... maybe I should ? Wouldn't an MRI be better ?

              Anyway I guess I'll just wait and see what happens over the next month or so and go back and ask for a referral to a neurologist .. or find a another GP and start over. The numbness on the left leg went away so I guess it might also disappear on the right side .. in a funny way I want it to get worse so I can finally work out what is going on and get some kind of diagnosis Good idea about making a timeline. Thanks again.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by pennstater View Post
                Has he done any bloodwork at least to look for any abnormalities?
                Forgot to answer that ... yes lots of bloods done, many times over. Kidney, liver function tests, inflammatory markers, fasting sugar test, hyperthyroidism, full blood count. Iron a little low, D a low at one point, but I take supplements and get sun every day that I can. I've had colonscopy and gastroscopy (on the same day) re the abdo pain too.

                Is it normal to get pain in both legs (with MS) ? I'm still going through the painful stiff calf muscles at night flare up atm, but its in both legs ... one is worse in the morning .. to the point that its sleepy when I first get up and I hobble to the toilet like an old man .... gets better during the day though.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Hello SteveO ~

                  Hopefully your symptoms are at a minimum (or non-existent) at this time, and you have a pleasant day today.

                  Originally posted by Steve0 View Post
                  Anyway I guess I'll just wait and see what happens over the next month or so and go back and ask for a referral to a neurologist ..
                  This makes sense to me. A thorough neurological exam would be wise.

                  Take Care
                  PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
                  ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Steve0 View Post

                    Is it normal to get pain in both legs (with MS) ? I'm still going through the painful stiff calf muscles at night flare up atm, but its in both legs ... one is worse in the morning .. to the point that its sleepy when I first get up and I hobble to the toilet like an old man .... gets better during the day though.
                    My understanding is that while MS can cause bi-lateral symptoms, it is not the normal presentation, especially early on. My numbness, stiffness, and pain stays constant thru the day and may actually worsen with fatigue as the day progresses.

                    Glad your doctor did some bloodwork.
                    Kathy
                    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Steve0 View Post

                      Anyway I guess I'll just wait and see what happens over the next month or so and go back and ask for a referral to a neurologist .. or find a another GP and start over. The numbness on the left leg went away so I guess it might also disappear on the right side .. in a funny way I want it to get worse so I can finally work out what is going on and get some kind of diagnosis Good idea about making a timeline. Thanks again.
                      I strongly recommended either a neurologist, or even an MS specialist.

                      And, no, it's not weird to hope for whatever will get you a diagnosis. I hope you get one soon. It's hard to be in limbo.
                      ~ Faith
                      MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                      (now a Mimibug)

                      Symptoms began in JAN02
                      - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                      - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                      .

                      - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                      - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X