How quick does MS come on/develop?

[andy12345]

Hi guys.

 

I am a 25 year old male who has made the fatal mistake of googling my symptoms. I am now terrified and losing sleep. Im a working professional and around 10 weeks ago had quite tender eyesight, like straining and my peripheral vision appeared to be moving, there was also some light sensitivity. No loss of vision or colour though. I did have a severe fungal skin infection at the time which has since cleared and my vision returned to normal and I put the vision down to this.

 

I had noticed inbetween, a quite sudden onset of frequent urinating, i used to go maybe 3 times daily, that has at least doubled.

Around 3 weeks ago I developed a numbness type sensation in my foot when working nights, almost like not enough blood was getting to it like poor circulation, and my leg felt weaker than it actually was, I had no reduced movement or strength in it. A few days later, it develope dinto my arm aswell, i have had a very slight tingling in my finger tips and what I can only describe as a dead arm, like ive been punched.

 

Every day, its somewhere different, either left leg, left arm, right leg, right arm, varying from being sore, to aching to burning. I have also noticed some minor twitching in my left and right biceps.

 

The very worst symptom though is feeling dizzy, its not horrendous, I just dont feel "not dizzy". I had bad vertigo last week, whereas now it is just general a little dizzy and I crash into things

 

I know you guys arent doctors, I saw my GP initially who said he thought it was a virus as I had signs of virus in my throat, but since then I have developed the dizziness and weird sensations. However this has all come on in just under three weeks, and is getting worse. I just wondered (bar the eye issues) would MS come on so quickly?

 

I am struggling to sleep and driving my wife mad worrying about it.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

[Nick]

Hi Andy,

Firstly you are very welcome on the forum here,

 

Yes it is probably the worst thing to do, Goggle is a wonderful thing BUT....................Anyway firstly I would say keep going back to the GP. GP's will generally pass you on to more specialist people where they suspect something more serious. This means you do need to keep going back and you do need to tell him or her all your symptoms. A good trick here is make a short bullet type list of things that are worrying you. This makes it hard to forget, and as most GP's only have enough time for a very brief consultation, it gives you time to tell them.

A condition like MS has a huge number of variables and many different symptoms, many of which people may never experience. The condition affects all of us differently, sometimes very seriously but more often with far less severe symptoms. Conditions such as MS are only made after extensive investigations and the diagnosis only comes from a Neurologist.

In the meantime try your best to not worry! Difficult I know but you won't be doing yourself any good by being stressed. Im sure you will gets some more advice here and please let us know how you get on.....More importantly get back to that GP!!!

 

Nick

Edited 31 Aug 2014, 12:42 pm by Nick

[The Dragonfly]

Hi Andy,

 

Welcome to the forum.

There are many illnesses that can mimic the symptoms of MS. I'd say try not to worry and definetly stop googling, it will drive you crazy and have your mind racing. I know easier said than done, but it really doesn't help.

 

I'm with Nick, keep going back to the GP. Keep a journal of funny symptoms and roughly how long it lasted. Even the "embarrassing" symptoms the GP will need to know. Possibly ask for some blood work done and urine checked for any infections, if it hasn't been done already? Vitamin D and B are the ones to ask for.

 

Take care, Jen

 

 

 

 

[andy12345]

Thanks for your responses. Im trying not to worry but its quite difficult. I really shouldnt have googled it.

 

I just wondered if MS and so symptomatic would come on so quickly?

[The Dragonfly]

Hi Andy,

 

I know people who have been diagnosed within 3 weeks because of how their symptoms presented themselves.

 

Mine seemed to be a few symptoms here and there (relapses) presented itself in different ways over about 10 years. With a huge relapse 2 1/2 years ago that led to my dx. I never thought to google, I still don't, and you are one step ahead of me as I didn't even think to come on a forum for support. Which would have stopped me going nuts, so good on you for coming on here.

 

It is a worry, and you will still worry. Google has too much information.

 

I listen to music when my mind takes over, or I practise mindfulness. You could google "Mindfulness" and see what you think. It helps me by acknowledging my worries and fears and I then release them. I can then normally get into a different mind set.

Edited 31 Aug 2014, 2:53 pm by The Dragonfly

[Scully]

Hello Andy,

 

Welcome to the MS forum and boards. You are most welcome and I'm pleased you have found us.

 

Your main question seems to be about the onset and timing of possible MS ?

 

I'm afraid it's all a bit difficult to answer, as you say we are not doctors, but almost all of us have plenty of first hand experience,

 

MS can begin over a few weeks, in more rare cases, it can come on so suddenly that it can't be ignored. For example, waking up with blindness in one or both eyes. OR, it can have a more insidious onset, where symptoms, come and go for a while. Others of course can have symptoms that have been ongoing for some time.

 

It's often dismissed as a virus of some kind. GP's don't have first hand knowledge of conditions like MS and other more complex issues. So, if they are flummoxed by waxing and waning symptoms, they will often eventually refer to a neurologist if they think that's what is needed.

 

Do also bear in mind that MS can look like many other conditions, ranging from a very simple blood enzyme or vitamin deficiency to a more serious neurological condition. Diagnosis of MS as is often long and arduous, and as Nick says, it's more a case of ruling everything else out there is no one test to diagnose MS. Even when some tests are positive, others may not be, so diagnosis is not often clear cut. It's a complex condition for sure.

 

The advice you've had thus far has been excellent.

 

Do make a short bullet point type list listing ' date, symptom, duration of that symptom'. When you go back to the GP, simply tell him you are no better, that things are getting worse, including the urine frequency and dizziness etc..

 

In the meantime, we are all here to help guide and support you through the process of either, getting diagnosed, or getting happy news that it isn't in fact MS. Leave Dr. Google, on the shelf for now, often it only serves to scare the pants off you!

 

Hope this helps,

 

Scully

 

[Nick]

Hi Andy,

Some of us with MS have 'relapses' these can have many forms as it depends on which part of the brain or Central Nervous System ( CNS) is affected. In Remitting/relapsing MS this is the norm with symptoms coming and also going away again. In my own case my original experience of MS was 10 years before any diagnosis when I had what is termed Optic Neuritis, a temporary eye condition which at the time was diagnosed as being down to something else. Interestingly the treatment for Optic neuritis is simply to wait for the condition to improve, which it did.

By the way MS is not a 'one way thing' many people have an early diagnosis and with the increased use of more effective drugs may never be to badly effected by it. It's one of those really scary things but it's probably not at all how you might perceive it. One big thing is simple self management, looking after yourself, not getting to stressed by work or home commitments, getting the right exercise and eating properly. We all ask an awful lot of our bodies and having MS just means you have to be rather strict with yourself. Of course it is not always that easy, but for many it's not to bad and certainly not the end of the world.

 

Nick

[Mal]

Welcome Andy

 

sometimes googling symptoms is no bad thing , ive read plenty of articles

where it has saved peoples lives

 

i done exactly the same as you some years before i was diagnosed and kept coming up with MS ,

the key to it all is to have an MRI scan

 

try not to worry too much , the problems you describe could be anything !

 

good luck , i hope everything turns out the best for you

 

Mal

[andy12345]

Thanks for your responses guys. The way im feeling is weird. By the end of the day I feel much better, then the next morning I feel awful again. Ive jumped off a wall tonight and landed funny on my knee so now I dont know if it is hurting from these symptoms or the injury!!

[Nick]

Andy,

This is another thing to note down and tell your GP. How you describe your symptoms, it sounds like fatigue. Fatigue doesn't always relate to being physically tired, it can also be because of being mentally tired. This could be because of being in a stressful situation, either at work or at home. It's also how you sometimes feel when you have flu or similar things. General advice to anyone here is to take things a bit easy and give your body a chance to catch up and build up some stamina. It's what many of us with MS are experts at........... BUT it relates to many different things so don't worry about MS just yet, get that appointment with the GP booked!

 

Nick

[andy12345]

Thanks guys for all your help. I seem to have a new symptom every day. Although my dizziness/loss of balance is constant, and the stematil/metaclopramide just isnt touching it. I am barely sleeping with worry, I dont know how to stop worrying about this. I have some private medical cover and am seeing a neurologist later on today.

 

I am just so concerned about it being something serious. I work for the emergency services and would be medically discharged if it was something such as MS, this obviously leaves a huge wage gap for paying bills. I also have two dogs that since this started I have been struggling to walk due to aches and dizziness!

[Scully]

Hello Andy,

 

You poor thing. You really are going through the mill with all this worry on too of feeling unwell.

 

I hope the neurologist you are seeing today will hope to allay your fears a little after giving you a thorough check-up.

 

Please let us know how you get on?

 

Scully

x

[andy12345]

I have been to see the neurologist this evening, who was a nice doctor. He didnt eem especially concerned, did a full examination and found nothing, he has referred me for a Brain and Cervical Spine MRI, but said that he woudl expect to see localised pain, rather than all over my body in the case of MS, although could not rule it out. I just need to stay strong and be positive then?

[Scully]

Hello Andy,

 

Well, the good news is that the Neuro examination didn't throw up anything of any significance. Assume you told him about the urinary disturbance and your balance issues?

 

I'm not sure about what he said about the pain thing? I have had 'all over body pain' where I felt like I had a really bad case of flu, but I've also had pain localised to my legs, so it's all a bit confusing.

 

The great news is that he's referred you for a brain and c/spine MRI. The MRI will tell the Neuro if there are any lesions on the scan thwt could help point him in the right direction.

 

Yes, try to stay positive at this stage and wait to see what the MRI brings. We are all here if you have questions of course, and more importantly, if you have a 'wobble' focussing on the positive aspects.

 

Scully

 

[Nick]

Do stay positive. I understand exactly how you feel regarding your job and what the future holds having been in the same situation regarding losing my livelihood. However this is NOT the key priority. The main thing is to allow the neurologist to build up a picture of just where your problems lie and it's great news that you are going for an MRI. The assesements do take time and it is often complex even for the experts to determine an exact diagnosis very quickly. The bit about staying positve is not simply to cheer you up. Stress and worry do affect neurological conditions and right now all indications are that this is not helping you. Very difficult I know, in fact I had huge problems getting over this aspect when I was like you in this kind of 'limbo land' situation. Even if the diagnosis turns out to be MS that is no reason to think its the end of the world. MS is extremely complex and despite what you may of read is often something that can be managed and employers have a duty of care, meaning that in most cases people are able to retain their employment, perhaps changing job description or specific work to suit your requirements. So try to forget what might or might not be and concentrate on getting to the bottom of your present problems.

 

Nick

Edited 3 Sep 2014, 8:23 am by Nick

[andy12345]

Thanks guys. Its just so difficult. Im usually a strong person but i feel like i just want to cry. I havent eaten for around three days now and pretty much the same with drink. A glass.of water here and there.

Its the dizziness that is doing this to me. Because i feel dizzy i feel sick and because that is constant i just cant put it to the back of my mind. Ive never felt like this so completely alone. My wife thinks its some kind of virus or similar and ive wound myself up convincing myself its MS. Which may be partially true but im not dreaming up these horrible symptoms.

[Scully]

Just a thought Andy, but could your lack of food and drink be making the dizziness worse?

If you've only been serving on the odd glass of water here and there, your body may be low on sugar/ salts and other enzymes that are all needed to enable you to function.

 

You do need to eat something, even if it's only soup!, or at least have some sort of energy drink ( which I wouldn't normally advocate, nit needs must)

 

We all know how hard this process is, believe me, most of us have been in this exact position. Not knowing, wondering, focussing on MS, when your wife could even be right in her assumption that you have a virus. We know it's hard not to get completely stressed out over this. Mark Twain said " I spent most of my life worrying over things that never happened " ....wise words, make them your mantra.

 

For now, take care of yourself. Eat, drink, exercise, even if it's only walking.

 

Scully

 

[andy12345]

Yeah thankyou, I am going to go up to the supermarket now although all I want to do is lie here and mope. Its the diziness that is getting me down so much, its not dizzy spells its just all the time. Every day though the symptoms change, from a tingling right foot to a stabbing arm, to a burning arm. I just do now understand what is going on.

I want so much for it not to be serious like MS or worse, but I just cant help but think it is!