@Kemofin 

Last reply

Kemofin

Symptoms to date!

So far.... Approx 3 months ago, I had a constant itch on the calf of my right leg. (May or may not be related). Around the same time I had sporadic pains in my right leg. They would last only seconds and would move from calf to thigh, to buttock and finally in groin which seemed to last for a while. My right foot felt odd, which I can only describe as cold feeling with my ankle feeling sensitive. I had a very brief episode of complete exhaustion, which lasted only a few hrs. Went to GP, who felt pulse in foot, did the usual checks, took bloods etc and asked if I had pain in my back.... I had, but very specifically in the centre (spine area), which I only noticed when in certain positions. He said that he would see results of bloods to negate possibilities and would then possibly refer me to neurology as it should be checked out. Bloods indicated borderline renal functionality, but apparently nothing 'exciting', but exciting enough to have a repeat blood test 2 weeks later for trending. Now have a scan on liver booked in...joy. In between these 2 weeks, a night out resulted in me feeling bladdered and falling over, on very little drink, which seemed odd. The following day, both legs started hurting, by the late afternoon, I was exhausted and had to go to bed. The following 2-3 days were horrendous, torso feeling alive in side, head feeling as if something running around inside. Sensitive areas on arms and back, all sorts of odd sensations. Through out week, legs playing up, didn't know wither to straighten them, bend them.... Then all of a sudden the feeling subsided and both feet had really hot pins and needles.back down to doc and was referred to neuro... Following symptoms have been painful legs, but predominantly the left one with pains in the knee and thigh, some tingling in left fingers and occasional prickly feelings which seem to appear anywhere, but only last an instant. Neuro appointment was going nowhere and when chased up at hospital, I was marked down as 'routine', which given how I felt, couldn't wait the 16 weeks at that hospital.... Checked my more local one, which although hadn't released appointments would have to wait 8 weeks, but have decided to go private as had cover for a consultant and will be seeing the neuro in 7 days. As symptoms have declined, I have recognised similar ones with which I have visited the GP over recent years. The most obvious was very sensitive areas on back, and arm which were tingly and was suspected as shingles, but never was and disappeared over the following weeks. I have noticed over the past months, difficulty in finding words, technical terms associated with work, which I have regurgitated many times over the years. As of today, I have mainly an uncomfortable / slightly painful left leg which seems to come and go throughout the day, prickly sensations which feel like the prickling you get when you get hot after exercise. Occasional tightness in left side of face, which doesn't stay for to long. The pins and needles have gone in the hand, but get the occasional pain in one finger and anywhere on arm. I have not had any numbness to date! I suspect over recent years, I have had mild symptoms that I have either ignored or when attended GP, has been pretty much dismissed with a see if it goes, or come back if it doesn't or gets worse.... I think they always went. To summarise ....odd little pains in leg and foot for 4-6 weeks, followed by feeling bloody awful for a few days to be left with feelings some of which are painful at times which require me to need to lay down... The level of these symptoms have subsided. Not sure what the neuro will make of the above.. Do any of the above sound at all familiar. I have read lots over the weeks, and would be surprised if the dx is not MS. Do the presenting symptoms come and go hourly? FYI... 42 yr old male.
@Stumbler

Hi @kemofin and welcome. Read back through your post and extract a summary of these symptoms into a short, concise list, which you can pass to the Neuro. Could it be MS? Yes. Could it be anything else? Yes. It really is that difficult. But, you need to get a Neuro on board, who will want an MRI scan, to see what's going on. You're on the right track to get a diagnosis. In the meantime, try not to worry/stress about this. It will be whatever it is, but stressing will only make whatever it is worse.

@cameron

Yes, it brings back memories, the worst of which (by far) is the extent to which it messed with my head. I do hope it isn't MS, but if it is be assured that once you're on treatment, you really can get your life back. In 13 years of MS, nothing has approached the awfulness of pre-diagnosis. Keep strong and work on the symptom diary to take to your appointment. xx Kay