Does this sound like MS or no?
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I've been going back and forth with my primary doctor for about 5 years now about this. eek It started with just some pain in my hip and a little in my back. It lasted for a few weeks then was gone. A few months later the hip and back pain came back but this time it brought along knee and ankle pain. I kept telling her it feels like a deep like down to the bone just ache.
She sent me for a ton of lab work and ruled out Lupus, Lyme Disease, and any issues with my Thyroid. My rheumatoid factor was at a 7. She said it needs to be a 14 or plus to be considered a rheumatologic issue.
Every time I have an "episode" it seems to be worse than the slat. Right now I'm going through another "episode" and I feel dizzy, lightheaded, I'm having muscle spasms, my toes and fingers tingle, I've been forgetful, hard getting thoughts out when I'm talking, so tired and weak all the time, my balance is off, I'm depressed, I now have 0 sex drive, mood swings, hard time falling asleep, headaches are frequent, I get winded doing simple tasks now, constipation, my eyes are blurry sometimes, and I have this pain around my waist that makes me feel like I'm wearing a corset all the time. This has been my worst episode so far.
She wants me to see a Rheumatologist. thinking Does this sound Rheumatologic? I don't want to waste my time at a Rheumatologist if they're just going to say my rheumatoid factor is too low and I need to see a neurologist, MS does run in my family but I do know that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Should I be seeing a neurologist? Does it sound like I'm on the right path? I don't know what to do? Any thoughts?
0 likes, 4 replies
debbie31252 BeausMomma
Posted
I was diagnosised with MS 15 years ago. I have some similiar symptoms as you. I have a feeling of my chest being squeezed so badly that I can't sleep and sometimes some pain in my hips. Same as you (good explanation by the way) the pain is deep down, deep inside. So bad I got myself tested for bone cancer (results were negative thank god). I don't know why your doctor is thinking of you seeing a rheumatologist but he/she might have good reason. If it was me I would go. You only get diagnosised with MS when, it seems, everything else is ruled out.
BeausMomma debbie31252
Posted
debbie31252 BeausMomma
Posted
grandmatucson BeausMomma
Posted
I agree with Debbie that diagnosis of MS is much about ruling out other illnesses. I was diagnosed in 2007...had the same experience ruling out Lyme disease, lupus, and rheumatoid disorders. There is a general set of measures/tests of current and previous history over a period of time that are required to be met before a definitive diagnosis is made. It took me 18 MO to go through that process before MS was diagnosed. Two big factors in my case, along with ruling out the other diseases, were several lesions in my brain reflected by an MRI scan. Also spinal tap to show abnormality in CNS fluid.
With that said, it seems logical and reasonable for you to discuss a brain MRI with your doctor. Absence if brain lesions does not necessarily rule out MS though...lesions could be on the spine which can be detected with lumbar test (spinal tap)
I hope this info has helped you. It is disconcerting, I know, to have to experience symptoms and not be able to get answers right away.
God bless,
GT