Am currently on a frustrating journey of whether I have MS or not. It started with pins and needles in my feet. Thinking it was a back problem I visited an osteopath (4-5 years ago). The feeling disappeared and I thought great! However, whilst running, my calves became so hard I thought they might explode so I had to stop, as even 1 km was impossible without stopping. It hurt so much to stand in normal shoes that I would limp after attending a network event and sometimes have drop foot. Since that time, I have experienced, vertigo, vision vertical displacement (I see double sentences even with glasses) and these last two weeks, excruciating middle back spasms, although to be fair, that could be as a result of working in an environment that is not the same as my home. I have pins and needles all the time in my feet (well it's been that way for years now), which increases when I lie down (I can only lie on my stomach now) and after exercise and after standing -same for calf pain.
I have had 2 MRI's - there is one lesion on my spine and nothing visible in my brain. My electrical tests are normal. My consultant, after carrying out a myriad of other tests shrugged his shoulders and said 'it might be MS' - just like that. I am not overweight, eat healthily and have always done exercise, although this is now becoming increasingly difficult.
In anticipation of others being in the same position, I wondered if there are other likely explanations or, areas to look at if, as my consultant says, 'we have to wait for future symptoms to join the dots'. I have refused the lumbar puncture on account that it is not definitive and the consultant has agreed with that approach.
I feel frustrated because one minute I want to ignore that I might have MS and carry on as 'normal' and the next I realise I can't because my body stops me. If I have MS but remain undiagnosed, do I miss out on potential treatments. Of course, I'd rather not have it so have no wish to jump to the conclusion that I do but it is all rather frustrating. Other people can't 'see' what is wrong with me and forget how I might be suffering
Many thanks and apologies for long message!!
Michelle