Worried about MS and more
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello, I wondered if anyone can help and advise me on what is happening to me at the moment. It's my first time on this forum so I hope I am posting in the right place!!
I'm really worried about my symptoms being MS or something else serious and am not sure what steps I should take next or whether my symptoms are consistent with it or something else, perhaps even a B12 deficiency. I know that googling symptoms doesn't help and MS always comes out when I type in my symptoms and that worries me all the more but it's difficult not to google when so worried!!
My problems began back in May when I felt a sort of heat in my right leg, like a flush running up and down it. It happened a number of times that weekend. A couple of weeks later I started getting pin prick sensations, not painful and wouldn't really describe them as pins and needles or numbness either. They were mainly in legs and feet but every now and again in arms/hands too. Visited GP who advised general blood tests (all came back ok) and a neurological visit. When speaking to the Nuerologist I explained everything and she ordered more blood tests, things like calcium, and an MRI of lower back as I also have back ache too but my GP things that's through lifting my 12kg toddler all the time! Other symptoms I have are a burning in the sole of the left foot, in just one point, and am tired a lot of the time but wouldn't call it total exhaustion...yet.
The MRI on my lumbar zone showed a bulging disc in S1 l5, and a few other small things but the GP seemed to think they were pretty normal things. I had a test on my leg nerves, can't remember the name of it, with needles in muscles and that was normal too.
Then I also started to feel a little like I have tireder eyes than normal and they are a little dry but I'm not sure if this is related or as I'm so tired and stressed about all this!
I havent yet yet had an MRI of the brain, the Neuro said 'we will see how things go' but I worry they are checking things only related to my bottom half and not the CNS. Symptoms wise they have continued basically since May, with short periods of improvement. Now i feel the pin pricks in the same areas as before but sometimes like rain drops or mini electric shocks but they aren't painful at the moment but I definitely feel them, also sometimes in my face and hairline. Does anyone else have this? Another thing I sometimes feel is a little tightness in the muscles in my calves...
the second lot of blood tests came back ok, apart from one thing, which was B12 on the low Side but not classed as an official deficiency... It came back at 200 picog/ml. Could this kind of level cause these symptoms or does it sound more similar to ms? Not sure what to do next, am worried about it all especially as it's been a few months now and not improving, just changing all of the time. Any advice would be gratefully received... Thank you
0 likes, 5 replies
lisa37039 jay2016
Posted
A level of 200 being able to cause that from b12 deficiency is debatable. It would not be a bad idea to bring that number up, however, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that that is the cause. If you have not had your b6 checked, have it checked immediately, not for deficieny, but for toxicity. A high level of b6 will cause all of those symptoms and for whatever reason people tend to be low in b12 in conjunction with it. Also, it's something neuros don't usually check. The other question is in the past when this started, what were you taking or doing? Were you on prenatal vitamins, taking a multi??? Any supplements at all or protein shakes, energy drinks??? Started a new drug or antibiotic? These are important factors that neuros tend to miss. Look up b6 toxicity and review all your vitamins, shakes, vitamin waters, everything for added b6. It is becoming more and more prevalent as they have started adding it to so many things and unfortunately unless the person is still taking it and getting too much, lab values will come out normal. Make sure they ran your b6.
bic24773 jay2016
Posted
Hi, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms similar to Ms your symptoms sound neurological but with a prolapsed or slipped disc you can get problems with your legs. I had two slipped then prolapsed discs before MS diagnosis l its not the end of the world to have ms, yes it will change your life but people live long and happy lives with Ms. The test you had was invoked potentials both mum and I had it but hers was like yours, nice had no needles. Some neuros do a lumbar puncture too. Do you take sweetners? I've found that aspartame causes ms to fkare uo and can cause MS this symptoms because it affects the brain. Check your food fir aspartame, asulfame and phenylalanine. Good luck
jay2016
Posted
Thank you for the replies, I appreciate it.
When my symptoms came on, there was quite a lot going on but I can't think of anything specific that may have caused them. It was a very stressful period at work, when many of my colleagues were made redundant and there was a lot of worry. The other thing was that I had the vaccine against meningitis a month before. I mentioned that already to my GP but she thought it irrelevant. Other things I was taking at the time, only Lansoprazole which I have taken for some years following complications with a serious stomach ulcer which bled. I hadn't considered B6 toxicity and definitely haven't been tested for that, doesn't it normally cause low blood pressure though? I don't have low blood pressure. I will ask my GP. So far I've only had the MRI on my back and the electromyography on my legs which came back normal. At this point would it be recommended that I have an MRI head/neck to see what's going on?
Interesting about sweetners and just goes to show how poisonous they are. I stopped all food and drink with aspartame etc. 4 years ago when I had further issues with my stomach and have never looked back on that front!
Thank you!
lisa37039 jay2016
Posted
No, it doesn't necessarily cause low blood pressure. It causes nerve damage and anxiety usually though. I would have b6 tested and check all your supplements you were taking at the time to see if it was in it. Also prenatals and such...
bic24773 jay2016
Posted