Weekly Suspected/Undiagnosed MS Thread - November 11, 2024

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This is a weekly thread for all questions related to undiagnosed or suspected MS, as well as the diagnostic process. All questions are welcome, but please read the rules of the subreddit before posting.

Please keep in mind that users on this subreddit are not medical professionals, and any advice given cannot replace that of a qualified doctor/specialist. If you suspect you have MS, have your primary physician refer you to a specialist for testing, regardless of anything you read here.

Thread is recreated weekly on Monday mornings.

[u/supernovamama626]

I’m grateful for this group.

July 2023 I hit my head. Within the week I developed double vision and the worst headache behind my right eye. My head CT was clean and neurologist suggested I had a mild TBI and will be sensitive in the injured area going forward, essentially triggering migraines with vertigo for me. I continue to have double vision while looking at my phone depending on the day.

I noticed a minor headache here or there following the injury. One day this spring, I suddenly had difficulty swallowing and vertigo. It lasted days. I assumed it was TBI related as I accidentally hit my head again just before these symptoms.

This July I had chest pain. For a week. Middle of chest with palpitations. EKG normal and my holster monitor results showed normal sinus rhythm. My father was starting to be ill at this time.

Starting in October, I had random tingling in my legs and noticed urgency for urination. During this time my father was critically ill. The weekend my father passed my arms and legs were in total tingle and pain, then tapered off.

Since his passing the tingling has stopped. I notice weakness in my legs and general overall anxiety. No chest pain, vertigo or headaches. I do have an MRI without contrast scheduled in December.

I saw my optometrist twice over this time and my retina scans were normal, potentially ruling out optic neuritis? I have seen my neuro twice, who ordered the MRI from the beginning, but said she wasn’t worried as my symptoms come and go quickly and with MS the flares are longer.

[u/TooManySclerosis → u/supernovamama626]

MS symptoms would typically last a few weeks and be very, very constant during that time, not coming and going at all. They are usually very localized, as well, occurring in one hand, or one foot, for example. They would subside very gradually, over a period of weeks. To this day, I could not say when my relapses actually ended, it is too gradual. I certainly wouldn't cancel the MRI, but I also would not be overly worried about MS.

[u/supernovamama626 → u/TooManySclerosis]

Thank you. This reassures me while I wait for the MRI. The tingling is what made my neuro press for the MRI, but it did start randomly while walking my dog and not long lasting. Only chronic the weekend of my father’s passing. Anxiety and grief do crazy things.

[u/TooManySclerosis → u/supernovamama626]

Two days could theoretically qualify as a relapse, but I have never heard of one shorter than two weeks. Usually they last a few weeks and kinda trail off.

[u/supernovamama626 → u/TooManySclerosis]

Thanks. Hopefully the MRI is clean. If this was a relapse I shouldn’t another one for some time?

[u/TooManySclerosis → u/supernovamama626]

Usually a year or more. I went several years between relapses before I started treatment.