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Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Hi everybody,
First time posting here and I apologize profusely for the long-winded narrative about my HA woes. I really need help. I've read about 300 threads on here about MS, arm and leg weakness, dizziness and so on, and I've decided that I should ask you guys for your opinions on my current situation.
Foreword: Ok so I’ve been on a medication called Enbrel for almost 7 years now, for the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis. Never had a single side effect, but in very rare cases (about 0,1% apparently), this medication can cause demyelination like what you see in MS or in some cases full-blown MS but this rare side effect is till controversial. But although super rare, it can happen. I've always known this fact and it's been on the back of my mind.
For the past two months, I've experienced extreme anxiety. Panic episodes that lasted for up to 48 hours with multiple panic attacks throughout, difficulty sleeping and so on. I was anxious about everything, from a reunion at work to a supper with friends. I was always feeling anxious for no specific reason.
Then two and a half weeks ago, I woke up mildly dizzy out of the blue. As the day went on it kinda got better so I thought nothing of it.
Then when I was getting in bed at night I had a sudden weird sensation in my thigh that I could describe as something like a hot flash, but cold. Not sure if it was a blood rush as my leg was bent but it felt weird. Felt like water on my leg, kinda. So yeah, some neuro feeling I'm pretty sure.
So I looked up the symptoms dizziness and leg sensation on Google and yeah... big mistake. Found a lot of stuff about MS. Freaked out completely. Lost my marbles. The next day I felt like my limbs were weak and clumsy and my anxiety level skyrocketed. I only started eating and sleeping properly two to three days ago. So I had almost two weeks of panic attacks, no sleep, almost no food and I felt weak which I attributed to MS that I thought I got from Enbrel.
I went to the doctor about 10 days ago cause I was still mildly dizzy and I have strange sensations all over like someone flicking water on me. Happens most of the time on my leg but can also happen on arms, hands, face...
The GP did a basic neurological exam, reflexes, eye movements, walking on tip toes, all that jazz. She said everything was normal and that there was nothing indicative of MS so she didn’t want to order an MRI. She said my symptoms didn't sound like MS cause they were very mild and also MS wouldn’t present as small tingles all over that last a second but more like a whole leg tingling for hours or days. Had nothing to say about the near-constant dizziness... Only asked me if the room was spinning and I said no, more like a feeling when you get up too fast, but it lasts for hours...
She ordered complete blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes or thyroid problems. Everything came back fine. I broke down crying cause I felt like I had MS and no one was taking me seriously. The GP finally attributed my symptoms to extreme anxiety, tiredness and somatization. She gave me lorazepam and sent me away.
So I waited another week. Barely ate, slept using the lorazepam. My right arm and leg started feeling weak. They're not numb per se because they hurt when I pinch them but they "feel" numb if that makes sense? No tingles I just feel like they're weaker, like they hang more than my left limbs. Like they're hollow and light. I feel like they tremble easier.
I know my arm is not REALLY weak though because I can do push-ups and I can even stand on one arm in push-up position. It's kind of driving me crazy. I can still type like I'm used to but I feel clumsier, like my hands are slower.
A few days ago I went back to the same GP complaining about the same symptoms. She said I was a hypocondriac and sent me to the hospital... I ended up seeing two other doctors who did basic neuro exams and listened to my symptoms and diagnosed me with extreme health anxiety. Nobody even wants to send me for an MRI and everyone basically called me crazy. I had to see a psychiatrist in urgent care LOL. I've been eating again for 3 days and sleeping better but I'm still sure I have MS.
Every doctor brushed off my symptoms but I'm still dizzy for hours on end especially when standing up and moving about. I still have tingly, water drops type feelings in my legs and other places. My right arm and leg still feel very weak and tired and I can feel some twitches. So what is happening to me?
Can this really be all anxiety? I feel like I have a pretty strong case for at least an MRI but the useless GP's won't even send me for one. Anxiety, that's all they can say. My mother and girlfriend tell me the same thing and they won't hear anything about MS anymore. But I'm going crazy. I'm dizzy and my limbs feel weak and I have these sensations.
Everybody tells me that I've been anxious for so long and ate and slept so little that my body is crumbling and that it will take weeks to feel normal again but I have a hard time believing this can all be anxiety.
Do my symptoms even sound like MS? I'm going crazy.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Everybody tells me that I've been anxious for so long and ate and slept so little that my body is crumbling and that it will take weeks to feel normal again but I have a hard time believing this can all be anxiety.
Do my symptoms even sound like MS? I'm going crazy.
Hi Seymour, welcome.
You have been seen by three different medical professionals on a minimum of four different occasions, explained your symptoms and gone through the process of the logical testing. If they do not suspect MS then why (other than google) do you think that you know better? They aren’t useless they are just more trained than we are.
Yes the symptoms are real, but that doesn’t mean they are caused by a physical ailment. You haven’t been sleeping and eating, your anxiety has been through the roof, not to mention having yourself convinced that you have MS, all of this has a huge impact on the body that can and most often will last for a very long time. - I’ve been there, not with MS fears but with other health concerns before I kicked health anxiety’s butt to the curb. My ‘symptoms’ included yours and some!
Positive vibes,
Mouse
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
You have ankylosing spondylitis. Its symptoms can mimic MS. My father spent the best part of 20 years thinking he had MS (and many physicians did too) until he was diagnosed with AS.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Midnight-mouse
Hi Seymour, welcome.
You have been seen by three different medical professionals on a minimum of four different occasions, explained your symptoms and gone through the process of the logical testing. If they do not suspect MS then why (other than google) do you think that you know better?
Well, the fact that I have symptoms they can’t explain that look like MS and the fact that it doesn’t get better and that neuro exams can be good in early MS. I haven’t had any actual tests for it with machines.
Arguments FOR MS:
- Long lasting dizziness episodes for weeks
- Tingly water drops/cold flashes feelings
- Perceived weakness in right arm and leg
- Feeling of clumsiness in right hand
Arguments AGAINST MS:
- No actual pins and needles
- No loss of balance or vision problems
- Good basic neuro exam
- Obsessed with MS
- Poor sleep and nutrition for two weeks (better for the past 3 days)
- No objective clinical weakness
You know when I first started showing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis my GP put it down to anxiety too. And it ended up being an actual disease. So I’m very wary of GPs!
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Well, the fact that I have symptoms they can’t explain that look like MS and the fact that it doesn’t get better and that neuro exams can be good in early MS. I haven’t had any actual tests for it with machines.
Arguments FOR MS:
- Long lasting dizziness episodes for weeks
- Tingly water drops/cold flashes feelings
- Perceived weakness in right arm and leg
- Feeling of clumsiness in right hand
Arguments AGAINST MS:
- No actual pins and needles
- No loss of balance or vision problems
- Good basic neuro exam
- Obsessed with MS
- Poor sleep and nutrition for two weeks (better for the past 3 days)
- No objective clinical weakness
You know when I first started showing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis my GP put it down to anxiety too. And it ended up being an actual disease. So I’m very wary of GPs!
All of the arguments for MS are very commonly found in people dealing with large amounts of stress/anxiety. They are perfectly explainable, especially when you consider the chemical effects of stress and not taking care of yourself has on the body, it definitely takes much more than three days to recover too.
I understand being wary of doctors but there has to come a point, obviously you went though doctors to get the diagnosis you have already, that you’ve accepted, what made the doctors more credible when they diagnosed you with a physical ailment as opposed to a mental one? Expressing these concerns to the doctors may help them explain to you, and give you time to talk through the worries you’ve been having. Plus they might have some suggestions of resources you could access for the anxiety side of things too.
Mouse
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Midnight-mouse
All of the arguments for MS are very commonly found in people dealing with large amounts of stress/anxiety. They are perfectly explainable, especially when you consider the chemical effects of stress and not taking care of yourself has on the body, it definitely takes much more than three days to recover too.
I understand being wary of doctors but there has to come a point, obviously you went though doctors to get the diagnosis you have already, that you’ve accepted, what made the doctors more credible when they diagnosed you with a physical ailment as opposed to a mental one? Expressing these concerns to the doctors may help them explain to you, and give you time to talk through the worries you’ve been having. Plus they might have some suggestions of resources you could access for the anxiety side of things too.
Mouse
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What made them more credible was that I was sent to a rheumatologist, a specialist who knew how these diseases can present. GPs seem to think MS can only present with sudden numbness, lasting pins and needles or severe loss of balance. I mean I’m pretty sure the symptoms can be progressive?
I’ve been dealing with anxiety my whole life and it never made me dizzy or feeling weak outside of actual panic attacks, especially on one side only. I just can’t believe there’s nothing physically wrong with me and that I’m going through these symptoms as soon as I get out of bed.
Every time I think I might be feeling better I get a s****y day of dizziness. My legs almost hurt when I walk too long. MS occupies my mind day and night. I can’t read, I can’t work, I can’t socialize. All I do is paying attention to my body and analyzing. I’m so scared of having that on top of the arthritis. My gf is three months pregnant too. I just want to feel normal.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pain
There's your answer, Seymour - I'd bet money on it if I wasn't so anxious about betting on anything these days:shades:
Well I admit that it did send me into a panic at first but I was feeling pretty good after that. But it was a trigger of anxiety for sure. I felt pretty anxious for every reason for weeks after the announcement.
Having said that, what I can’t get my head around is anxiety « burning up » only one side of my body and making me dizzy and weak even when I don’t feel anxious. Or maybe I’m just anxious all the time.
You know sometimes it just "feels" wrong. I know my body and I know something is off.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
I just can’t understand why, given my symptoms, everybody is so quick to put this all on anxiety.
I mean just the dizziness. I feel better lying down or sitting and worse standing and walking. Don’t think anxiety would work that way?
I’m scared to the point of not being able to enjoy my life.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Your symptoms sound so typical of anxiety, which unfortunately shares a lot of symptoms with the illness you are afraid of.
Something that caught my eye though in your post - you say the medication you are causes it in 0.1% of users.. this is the same as or even lower than that of the general population so I wouldn’t read too much into that :hugs:
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
I just can’t understand why, given my symptoms, everybody is so quick to put this all on anxiety.
I mean just the dizziness. I feel better lying down or sitting and worse standing and walking. Don’t think anxiety would work that way?
I’m scared to the point of not being able to enjoy my life.
I have been unable to enjoy life due to HA for many years :( some might even argue it’s worse that the fears we have. Sometimes I think so, others times not it depends how bad it is at the time
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HA1989
Your symptoms sound so typical of anxiety, which unfortunately shares a lot of symptoms with the illness you are afraid of.
Something that caught my eye though in your post - you say the medication you are causes it in 0.1% of users.. this is the same as or even lower than that of the general population so I wouldn’t read too much into that :hugs:
Well I might be off in my percentage but it's supposed to be very rare. Very rare until it hits you... And I've seen lots of people online who got neurological problems from it but yeah, I know, Google something and you'll find it but still... But I can't just stop taking it based on an assumption cause my inflammation will go up and I'll be in pain. If I do get MS though, then the only treatment for arthritis that works for me will be off the table so I'm pretty much f****d.
I know my symptoms are typical of anxiety during a crisis but I've never heard of such specific symptoms lingering for days and weeks even outside of panic episodes. It just doesn't feel right.
The GP told me MS presents with symptoms that are usually constant or at least last a few hours and affect a whole foot, leg or even en entire side of body. That intermittent tingles lasting for half a second that appear anywhere are not typical of MS. But my arm and leg feeling weak fits the bill I think? Since I had all my strenght during the exam she brushed that off. I feel about the same as when you bump your shoulder nerve against something and your arm gets weak. But all the time in my right arm.
Right leg feels weak too and gets tired faster than other leg. It feels wobbly.
So yeah I guess I'm crazy. Waiting for something to happen like falling down on the street or losing control of a limb so that I'll be taken seriously. I mean I WISH it's only psychological but it's hard to convince yourself of that when you have strange symptoms. Sometimes the dizziness is so pronounced that I can barely do anything that involves standing up and moving about.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
I just can’t understand why, given my symptoms, everybody is so quick to put this all on anxiety.
I mean just the dizziness. I feel better lying down or sitting and worse standing and walking. Don’t think anxiety would work that way?
I’m scared to the point of not being able to enjoy my life.
You have a well documented history of anxiety for one. That said, you also have a diagnosed illness that can mimic certain symptoms. In general, anxiety causes dozens of real physical SYMPTOMS including dizziness. So take your real diagnosed condition, the fact you're under a lot of stress and your psychological history and your doctor is correct. Address the anxiety and you address the real physical symptoms associated with it.
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Ok so I've just Googled "Enbrel and MS" and sent myself into a panic attack. :(
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Google is not your friend.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
I read several articles and stories and convinced myself I had MS based on Enbrel. I just had the worst panic attack of my entire life. Hyperventilated until I almost passed out. I'm so tired of this. It's worse than the actual disease I fear. My body is breaking down and I'm being a terrible father-to-be.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Ok so I've just Googled "Enbrel and MS" and sent myself into a panic attack. :(
Bless you I know how terrified you will be right now but bear in mind there will be thousands of people on enbrel who don’t have ms but obviously wouldn’t go onto the internet to state this.
I have been down this rabbit hole with searches such as:
Endometriosis and ms
PCOS and ms
Chrons and ms
Alcohol and ms
Long term stress and ms
Food allergies and ms
Childhood trauma and ms
Obesity and ms
Lack of breastfeeding and ms
Growing up without pets (!) and ms
Childbirth and ms
I could literally go on for pages lol. But basically you can find that all of the above there are many many people that believe the above are what triggered their ms.. (can I note I haven’t actually suffered with many of the above, but when I used to be obsessed with it I wanted to see what links there is and there are 100’s).
Most of the theories are probs b*llocks btw. Nobody knows for sure what causes it.
And on a lighter note. It’s not a death sentence. I do know people with it and you wouldn’t know because they control it well with lifestyle changes/medication. A lady has had it 30 years and the only obvious thing is she sometimes needs a stick to walk with.
Oh god and I just remembered an article last year “TAPEWORM INFECTION FOLLOWED BY GLANDULAR FEVER IS THE CAUSE OF MS”
Cue weeks of trying to remember if I’d had glandular fever as I knew I had the worms (hehe) as a kid and couldn’t be sure I’d had glandular fever so I was obviously doomed. Then a ton of comments on the article like “omg this is what I had and now I have ms!!”.
So all I’m getting at is if everything that there was a link to it was true, we would all have ms.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Hi everybody,
First time posting here and I apologize profusely for the long-winded narrative about my HA woes. I really need help. I've read about 300 threads on here about MS, arm and leg weakness, dizziness and so on, and I've decided that I should ask you guys for your opinions on my current situation.
Foreword: Ok so I’ve been on a medication called Enbrel for almost 7 years now, for the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis. Never had a single side effect, but in very rare cases (about 0,1% apparently), this medication can cause demyelination like what you see in MS or in some cases full-blown MS but this rare side effect is till controversial. But although super rare, it can happen. I've always known this fact and it's been on the back of my mind.
For the past two months, I've experienced extreme anxiety. Panic episodes that lasted for up to 48 hours with multiple panic attacks throughout, difficulty sleeping and so on. I was anxious about everything, from a reunion at work to a supper with friends. I was always feeling anxious for no specific reason.
Then two and a half weeks ago, I woke up mildly dizzy out of the blue. As the day went on it kinda got better so I thought nothing of it.
Then when I was getting in bed at night I had a sudden weird sensation in my thigh that I could describe as something like a hot flash, but cold. Not sure if it was a blood rush as my leg was bent but it felt weird. Felt like water on my leg, kinda. So yeah, some neuro feeling I'm pretty sure.
So I looked up the symptoms dizziness and leg sensation on Google and yeah... big mistake. Found a lot of stuff about MS. Freaked out completely. Lost my marbles. The next day I felt like my limbs were weak and clumsy and my anxiety level skyrocketed. I only started eating and sleeping properly two to three days ago. So I had almost two weeks of panic attacks, no sleep, almost no food and I felt weak which I attributed to MS that I thought I got from Enbrel.
I went to the doctor about 10 days ago cause I was still mildly dizzy and I have strange sensations all over like someone flicking water on me. Happens most of the time on my leg but can also happen on arms, hands, face...
The GP did a basic neurological exam, reflexes, eye movements, walking on tip toes, all that jazz. She said everything was normal and that there was nothing indicative of MS so she didn’t want to order an MRI. She said my symptoms didn't sound like MS cause they were very mild and also MS wouldn’t present as small tingles all over that last a second but more like a whole leg tingling for hours or days. Had nothing to say about the near-constant dizziness... Only asked me if the room was spinning and I said no, more like a feeling when you get up too fast, but it lasts for hours...
She ordered complete blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes or thyroid problems. Everything came back fine. I broke down crying cause I felt like I had MS and no one was taking me seriously. The GP finally attributed my symptoms to extreme anxiety, tiredness and somatization. She gave me lorazepam and sent me away.
So I waited another week. Barely ate, slept using the lorazepam. My right arm and leg started feeling weak. They're not numb per se because they hurt when I pinch them but they "feel" numb if that makes sense? No tingles I just feel like they're weaker, like they hang more than my left limbs. Like they're hollow and light. I feel like they tremble easier.
I know my arm is not REALLY weak though because I can do push-ups and I can even stand on one arm in push-up position. It's kind of driving me crazy. I can still type like I'm used to but I feel clumsier, like my hands are slower.
A few days ago I went back to the same GP complaining about the same symptoms. She said I was a hypocondriac and sent me to the hospital... I ended up seeing two other doctors who did basic neuro exams and listened to my symptoms and diagnosed me with extreme health anxiety. Nobody even wants to send me for an MRI and everyone basically called me crazy. I had to see a psychiatrist in urgent care LOL. I've been eating again for 3 days and sleeping better but I'm still sure I have MS.
Every doctor brushed off my symptoms but I'm still dizzy for hours on end especially when standing up and moving about. I still have tingly, water drops type feelings in my legs and other places. My right arm and leg still feel very weak and tired and I can feel some twitches. So what is happening to me?
Can this really be all anxiety? I feel like I have a pretty strong case for at least an MRI but the useless GP's won't even send me for one. Anxiety, that's all they can say. My mother and girlfriend tell me the same thing and they won't hear anything about MS anymore. But I'm going crazy. I'm dizzy and my limbs feel weak and I have these sensations.
Everybody tells me that I've been anxious for so long and ate and slept so little that my body is crumbling and that it will take weeks to feel normal again but I have a hard time believing this can all be anxiety.
Do my symptoms even sound like MS? I'm going crazy.
Your doctor gave you their opinion and they will be far better qualified than the likes of myself. I have MS and Health Anxiety, I thought I would see if I can offer any reassurance based on my own experiences.
My own experiences of MS have been longer than a few hours. My double vision for example lasted 8 weeks then it got better. I also went numb/tingling and that was a whole leg/part of my side. This didnt last as long but was longer than a couple of days.
Everyones MS is different and someone else might have different experiences, however I thought if you heard what I experienced, then you might realise that they don't sound like yours.
Tingling is a symptom of MS but it is also a symptom of anxiety. MS is uncommon, where as anxiety is very common. One thing that would be interesting to find out is whether you experience these symptoms when you are doing something you love? For example I was worried about a mole and thought it was itching. I found that when I was playing chess, it didn't bother me. I assume that it would bother me all of the time if it was something other than anxiety.
Even if it is MS (Which your doctor has said they don't think it is), most people with MS have happy normal lives. MS can be awful, however as I say most people live perfectly happy lives.
A way I try and think about health anxiety is, that you could get hit by a car. This doesn't stop you crossing the road does it? You don't spend hours looking up car accidents? (If you do then health anxiety is the least of your worries :D) Your doctor has given you the all clear, be glad and enjoy life.
Just to mention your point about the MRI, this wouldn't give a diagnosis. They could see any scarring, however healthy people can have this, so they end up having to wait for a couple of relapses before they can confirm. My understanding is that a relapse is anything over 24-48 hours.
Hope this helps.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
How kind of you to try to help Seymour when you have a confirmed diagnosis, pav. I sincerely hope there aren't any "Yes but.." responses from Seymour.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
Your doctor gave you their opinion and they will be far better qualified than the likes of myself. I have MS and Health Anxiety, I thought I would see if I can offer any reassurance based on my own experiences.
My own experiences of MS have been longer than a few hours. My double vision for example lasted 8 weeks then it got better. I also went numb/tingling and that was a whole leg/part of my side. This didnt last as long but was longer than a couple of days.
Everyones MS is different and someone else might have different experiences, however I thought if you heard what I experienced, then you might realise that they don't sound like yours.
Tingling is a symptom of MS but it is also a symptom of anxiety. MS is uncommon, where as anxiety is very common. One thing that would be interesting to find out is whether you experience these symptoms when you are doing something you love? For example I was worried about a mole and thought it was itching. I found that when I was playing chess, it didn't bother me. I assume that it would bother me all of the time if it was something other than anxiety.
Even if it is MS (Which your doctor has said they don't think it is), most people with MS have happy normal lives. MS can be awful, however as I say most people live perfectly happy lives.
A way I try and think about health anxiety is, that you could get hit by a car. This doesn't stop you crossing the road does it? You don't spend hours looking up car accidents? (If you do then health anxiety is the least of your worries :D) Your doctor has given you the all clear, be glad and enjoy life.
Just to mention your point about the MRI, this wouldn't give a diagnosis. They could see any scarring, however healthy people can have this, so they end up having to wait for a couple of relapses before they can confirm. My understanding is that a relapse is anything over 24-48 hours.
Hope this helps.
This is a lovely comment to leave and hope it calms OPs terror.
I very much doubt they have MS, but the way I got out of the hell hole of fear of it was to hear positive stories and realise it doesn’t affect lifespan (biggest worry of mine seeing as I have a 18 month old).
Unfortunately it was replaced by a fear of stage 4 cancer which is worse haha
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
Your doctor gave you their opinion and they will be far better qualified than the likes of myself. I have MS and Health Anxiety, I thought I would see if I can offer any reassurance based on my own experiences.
My own experiences of MS have been longer than a few hours. My double vision for example lasted 8 weeks then it got better. I also went numb/tingling and that was a whole leg/part of my side. This didnt last as long but was longer than a couple of days.
Everyones MS is different and someone else might have different experiences, however I thought if you heard what I experienced, then you might realise that they don't sound like yours.
Tingling is a symptom of MS but it is also a symptom of anxiety. MS is uncommon, where as anxiety is very common. One thing that would be interesting to find out is whether you experience these symptoms when you are doing something you love? For example I was worried about a mole and thought it was itching. I found that when I was playing chess, it didn't bother me. I assume that it would bother me all of the time if it was something other than anxiety.
Even if it is MS (Which your doctor has said they don't think it is), most people with MS have happy normal lives. MS can be awful, however as I say most people live perfectly happy lives.
A way I try and think about health anxiety is, that you could get hit by a car. This doesn't stop you crossing the road does it? You don't spend hours looking up car accidents? (If you do then health anxiety is the least of your worries :D) Your doctor has given you the all clear, be glad and enjoy life.
Just to mention your point about the MRI, this wouldn't give a diagnosis. They could see any scarring, however healthy people can have this, so they end up having to wait for a couple of relapses before they can confirm. My understanding is that a relapse is anything over 24-48 hours.
Hope this helps.
I truly appreciate your taking the time to answer me when you suffer from the disease I fear. It’s incredibly nice of you.
I would say the tingles seem to happen more when I’m lying down not doing much and when I am walking outside. Seems worse if I’m hot. It feels like watery tingles, not pins and needles. I don’t remember having done anything I love since starting this MS scare so I couldn’t really tell you.
Based on your experience, you don’t think my symptoms of dizziness, raindrops tingles and wobbly-feeling right arm and leg are enough to qualify as potential MS? Outside of what you stated, where you dizzy, fatigued?
The thing is I know MS isn’t a death sentence but it would mean that I couldn’t take my arthritis injections anymore and that my arthritis would be let loose. Not a good prospect. I’d be less afraid if it wasn’t for that.
Thanks to you and the very kind people here. You truly do make a difference.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
I truly appreciate your taking the time to answer me when you suffer from the disease I fear. It’s incredibly nice of you.
I would say the tingles seem to happen more when I’m lying down not doing much and when I am walking outside. Seems worse if I’m hot. It feels like watery tingles, not pins and needles. I don’t remember having done anything I love since starting this MS scare so I couldn’t really tell you.
Based on your experience, you don’t think my symptoms of dizziness, raindrops tingles and wobbly-feeling right arm and leg are enough to qualify as potential MS? Outside of what you stated, where you dizzy, fatigued?
The thing is I know MS isn’t a death sentence but it would mean that I couldn’t take my arthritis injections anymore and that my arthritis would be let loose. Not a good prospect. I’d be less afraid if it wasn’t for that.
Thanks to you and the very kind people here. You truly do make a difference.
Those symptoms you describe are classic anxiety symptoms.
I am not a doctor and can only comment on my understanding of it.
You say that you have 5 symptoms. I am not saying that more than one attack cant happen at the same time but 5? You see where i am trying to lead you here?
Do me a favour and read about head lice... Does your head itch? Your brain is a powerful thing.
Can i ask why you wouldnt be able to treat your arthritis? Cos of the MS treatment clashing?
I am guessing that you would leave the ms drugs alone and treat your arthritis. Your doc would advise.
Lots of people dont take anything for ms.up until a few years ago in the uk the drugs were still on trial and were in short supply so lots of people went without.
I only mention the above because it sound like you have found an illness that would cause your arthritis treatment problems. Understandable that you are worried as that would impact your life.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
I hope I dont come across a dismissive of your fears. I know what health anxiety does to you. I recently had a blip and some kind people on here put me straight with some cool hard logic that i was lacking. You say that you dont do anything you love since your fears started.....
Please take some advise from a fellow worrier. Get out of the house. Whenever you get the urge to google. Stop. And force yourself to do things. It will be hard at first but you will feel better for it.
I find mindfulness helps. I go to meetings every week. Basically an excuse for a drink with some pals 😁 but we do learn a lot.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
I hope I dont come across a dismissive of your fears. I know what health anxiety does to you. I recently had a blip and some kind people on here put me straight with some cool hard logic that i was lacking. You say that you dont do anything you love since your fears started.....
Please take some advise from a fellow worrier. Get out of the house. Whenever you get the urge to google. Stop. And force yourself to do things. It will be hard at first but you will feel better for it.
I find mindfulness helps. I go to meetings every week. Basically an excuse for a drink with some pals but we do learn a lot.
Pav, what you're doing is the key. Nothing wrong with an occasional slap upside the head now and again but you're doing CBT and engaging in positive activities as opposed to sitting in front of a computer or phone ruminating and feeding the dragon. Everyone has blips, anxiety or not, and pushing through them, moving forward and most of all, learning how to deal with them is the way out of the dragon's cave and any difficult life situation.
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fishmanpa
Pav, what you're doing is the key. Nothing wrong with an occasional slap upside the head now and again but you're doing CBT and engaging in positive activities as opposed to sitting in front of a computer or phone ruminating and feeding the dragon. Everyone has blips, anxiety or not, and pushing through them, moving forward and most of all, learning how to deal with them is the way out of the dragon's cave and any difficult life situation.
Positive thoughts
You were one of the kind people i mentioned. A much needed slap if i remember rightly and i am much better for it. 😁
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
Those symptoms you describe are classic anxiety symptoms.
I am not a doctor and can only comment on my understanding of it.
You say that you have 5 symptoms. I am not saying that more than one attack cant happen at the same time but 5? You see where i am trying to lead you here?
Can i ask why you wouldnt be able to treat your arthritis? Cos of the MS treatment clashing? .
You mean that having dizziness, right arm weakness, right leg weakness and tingles would count as 4 separate lesions acting up and that it would be extremely unlikely?
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
You mean that having dizziness, right arm weakness, right leg weakness and tingles would count as 4 separate lesions acting up and that it would be extremely unlikely?
I am no doctor and only know what i have experienced. I have just looked online and cant find anything about more than one at once. Which should tell you something. Each and every one of your symptoms can be explained by anxiety. You have been checked by a doctor who would tell you if they were worried. To top it all off even if you did have it chances are you would live a happy normal life. If i were you i would concentrate on relaxation and anxiety fixes. Please try something for me. Set yourself a period of time where you give yourself a holiday mentally from ms. Say 2 weeks. 2 weeks will make absolutely no difference to the diagnosis. If your hand tingles just accept it is tingly and carry on. Dont even think about it. During which time concentrate on relaxation techniques. I reckon your symptoms will go once you master how to relax.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
Please try something for me. Set yourself a period of time where you give yourself a holiday mentally from ms. Say 2 weeks. 2 weeks will make absolutely no difference to the diagnosis. If your hand tingles just accept it is tingly and carry on. Dont even think about it. During which time concentrate on relaxation techniques. I reckon your symptoms will go once you master how to relax.
You've been diagnosed with severe HA and are posting on an anxiety forum so deep down you know the doctors are right. Treat the real illness and you treat the symptoms it causes.
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
I am no doctor and only know what i have experienced. I have just looked online and cant find anything about more than one at once. Which should tell you something. Each and every one of your symptoms can be explained by anxiety. You have been checked by a doctor who would tell you if they were worried. To top it all off even if you did have it chances are you would live a happy normal life. If i were you i would concentrate on relaxation and anxiety fixes. Please try something for me. Set yourself a period of time where you give yourself a holiday mentally from ms. Say 2 weeks. 2 weeks will make absolutely no difference to the diagnosis. If your hand tingles just accept it is tingly and carry on. Dont even think about it. During which time concentrate on relaxation techniques. I reckon your symptoms will go once you master how to relax.
Well I’ve read about people going numb on a whole side so one attack can encompass more than one limb, no?
You offer great advice and honesty that’s what I want to do but the dizziness makes it hard.
Thanks for talking with me I really appreciate it.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Well I’ve read about people going numb on a whole side so one attack can encompass more than one limb, no?
You offer great advice and honesty that’s what I want to do but the dizziness makes it hard.
Thanks for talking with me I really appreciate it.
Ok another angle. If it is MS you cant do a lot about it anyway. Not a huge amount you can do. The drugs only reduce symptoms quantity and severity. You can however remove triggers. Little is known about what causes it but stress and anxiety is thought to be a trigger in people with ms. So learning how to relax would be essential anyhow. So learn how to relax and it is a win win. If it is anxiety then happy days it is fixed. If it is MS then you have learnt a valuable tool in an attempt to prevent further problems. Look after your diet and exercise if possible.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
Well I’ve read about people going numb on a whole side so one attack can encompass more than one limb, no?
Are you cognizant of the HA pattern you're exhibiting? Reassurance is like crack to the addict. It helps a little but you always need more. You've had several trained medical professionals as well as a MS sufferer offer their opinions and experience and you're still asking questions trying desperately to validate your fears.
What are you currently doing to treat you anxiety?
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pav1984
Ok another angle.
Sorry I didn’t mean to dismiss what you said about symptom patterns. You obviously know more about it than I do. Actually I was looking for more of that good ol’ reassurance that you were effectively providing. 🙂
Concerning medication, it’s because the injections for my type of arthritis are known to worsen MS symptoms. But they’re the only thing working for me so yeah, curious what my doctors would do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fishmanpa
Are you cognizant of the HA pattern you're exhibiting? Reassurance is like crack to the addict. It helps a little but you always need more. You've had several trained medical professionals as well as a MS sufferer offer their opinions and experience and you're still asking questions trying desperately to validate your fears.
What are you currently doing to treat you anxiety?
Positive thoughts
Yeah I know, I’m sorry. For anxiety I take citalopram but I’ve been taking it for years and it does nothing. I take the occasional Ativan and the psychiatrist gave me risperidone but it has a reputation of being a poison. I’ve started seeing a therapist last week too.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
For anxiety I take citalopram but I’ve been taking it for years and it does nothing. I take the occasional Ativan and the psychiatrist gave me risperidone but it has a reputation of being a poison. I’ve started seeing a therapist last week too.
That's good :yesyes: You probably should speak with your doctor about the meds. Sometimes they just crap out on you. My daughter is a sufferer and had to go through several med changes when her Zoloft crapped out on her. Between the meds and therapy, she's doing well.
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Yeah I will try to move to Cymbalta or Zoloft but at this point it's just whatever. All I'd care for is seeing a neurologist who'd tell me there's no way I have MS or at least being symptoms-free so I can psyche myself into thinking I'm normal.
Funny thing is, I could get "normal" again and still have MS and have the symptoms come back with a vengeance in years. But seeing as I'm taking Enbrel that should assure a steady process of demyelination and getting worse. I guess I'll know in the next weeks and months if I'm FUBAR.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
It’s been three weeks today suffering from these strange symptoms and I wonder if MS could present such relatively mild symptoms and never go into a full blown attack?
I mean it’s not getting better but it’s not getting worse either...
Can thinking about symptoms 24/7 contribute to having them stick around?
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Seymour
It’s been three weeks today suffering from these strange symptoms and I wonder if MS could present such relatively mild symptoms and never go into a full blown attack?
I mean it’s not getting better but it’s not getting worse either...
Can thinking about symptoms 24/7 contribute to having them stick around?
100% yes, thinking about symptoms will make them stick around and get worse. I've only skimmed your thread, but all of the symptoms you're having can absolutely be caused by anxiety. These are all of my anxiety symptoms! I recently had a flair up of anxiety after a good while and had almost forgotten how physical it can be. I actually read somewhere years ago that there's an argument to be made for considering anxiety both a psychological and a physical ailment because there are so many physical symptoms.
There have definitely been times when I've thought perhaps I have MS because of all the symptoms I get: numbness, tingling, twitching, dizziness, muscle heaviness, cold and hot spots, the sensation of water pouring down my arm or leg, eye pain, etc... but these symptoms *always* pass when my anxiety does. And, honestly, I've never actually felt anxious about MS because, while I obviously don't want to have it, it's not a fatal disease. Life expectancy is slightly lower than the general population, but the leading causes of death for a person with MS are the same as everyone else - cancer, heart disease, etc...
Talk to your doctor about changing up your anxiety meds and getting therapy. I often will set a timeline for myself when it comes to symptoms that concern me. In your case, I think you should try to allow yourself to treat the anxiety first. If you get that under control and your symptoms persist, only then should you continue looking for other causes.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Hi Erin, thanks for replying!
Have you ever felt the sensation like someone is flicking water on your leg or arm? I get this all the time and it seems worse when air is blowing on me for some reason. I’ve read online about a woman with MS who had that...
Were your symptoms happening even when you felt calmer? Mine seem to come out of the blue with no logic.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Is dizziness even a symptom of MS in itself? I wish RLR still posted here!
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Have you read THIS?
Positive thoughts
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
I did, it’s a great post.
I know I won’t find answers by asking more and more questions
Thanks everybody for your kindness and time.
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Re: Please help - Huge HA and MS scare
Now I just had that tingly water sensation in my arm too, lol.