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I have symptoms of MS, So worried, Please help...

julesxoxo81
10/28/09
julesxoxo81
Topics:DiagnosisMS Symptoms

I am a 28 yr old female. I have no history of MS in my family, although, for about the past year I have been very depressed. My memory is awful now. I used to be very sharp. Now, I forget movies I've seen just a month beforehand. About 4 months ago, I started to notice tingling in my hands and feet. A couple of my toes go numb sometimes and here and there I have a numb spot on my thigh. I went to my doctor, they did some blood work, everything was fine and symptoms went away. Now, just last Thursday (6days ago) I developed a horrible headache. I have had it since, it has weakened in strength but it is still there. I am waking up to b=my arms being completely numb with pins and needles or my legs from sleeping on them. Right now my left arm is tingling. I have notice some difficulty speaking here and there, like I can't find the words. I have severe anxiety problems as well. I went to the ER and they gave me a pain killer IV turmadol for my headache and also notice I had a UTI which I am currently on antibiotics for. I told them of my tingling and she said when was your last ct scan. I said, 5 months ago... which was negative and she left it at that. My symptoms seem to be getting worse. Sometimes it's hard to move my left thumb. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow. I am constantly forgetting where I have placed things such and such, Right now, my right foot just developed tingles. I am so worried. I am not me anymore. I have lost interest in sex and feel horrible and depressed all the time with major anxiety ... please help... this isnt me, I am SO worried....

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Answers (1)
TheOtherShoe
Saturday, October 31, 2009

Some of your symptoms could be MS, but all of them could be accounted for by other conditions, and you should not decide for yourself that you have MS, or anything else.  I cannot diagnose you over the internet, and no one else should try to do so either.  I have no medical qualifications, so what follows is just my opinion. 

 

Firstly, it sounds as though your depression should be treated, for the time being, as just that - depression.  If you are not on anti-depressants, then you should ask your doctor if they might be appropriate.  If you already on anti-depressants, then you should tell your doctor that you do not think that these pills, at these doses, are working. 

 

There are a number of other conditions which could give some of the symptoms you mention, such ME/CFS, and you should ask your doctor if s/he thinks this is a possibility. 

 

For the rest, I think that the only symptoms you have which are closely identified with MS is the tingling in the fingers and toes.  That on its own is not nearly enough for you to conclude that you have MS, or to start getting seriously anxious about it.  People with MS do get some of the other symptoms you mention, but many do not, and major depression is usually something which attacks a few people with MS, after they have to cope with the diagnosis, or after years of living with the disease - it is NOT a diagnostic indicator. 

 

You doctor may be able to arrange for you to have an MRI scan, if you are really worried about MS, and if the doctor thinks that it is a possibility.  But, honestly, I think that you are frightening yourself unnecessarily about MS.  There may be other things wrong with you, so you need to check with your doctor.

 

If you do have MS, which is possible, if not likely, then you should still try to curb your panic.  Most people with MS have to make some compromises with life.  There are those who manage a fulfilling career for 30 years without resorting to a wheelchair or any very visible badge of disability, but most of us have to cope with some direct problems and need to have coping strategies in place.  For most, remember, MS is not a "death sentence" - most people with MS have "relapsing and remitting" MS, which means you have to cope with bad stretches, and make the most of the good ones. 

 

Your panic and depression are not appropriate if you do have MS.  It's a certainly a serious problem, as I know.  It runs in my family and I have it.  But I also know that you can have a life with MS - marriage, children, a career, friends - none of these are forbidden you just because you have MS.

 

First, accept that your fears are probably ill-founded - you probably do NOT have MS.  It's a fairly rare condition.  See your doctor, tell them how worried you are.  Then listen to what they have to say.  Get them to find a treatment for your depression - it is allowing you to be ruled by your anxiety.

 

Good Luck

 

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