Recently I was diagnosed with radiculopathy from symptoms I have been having. The orthapedic has sent me to physical therapy for lumbar. But really it is all over my body. I am starting to have second thoughts about everything. So I wanted to ask a few questions to those who have ms,.and I realize that everyone is very different.
I have experienced pins and needles(i call this buzzing), muscle spasms. even a few times when trying to sleep my hand has voluntarily reflexed on its own (this freaks me out). But all these symptoms happen the more I do,.sitting too long or walking to much. If I am laying around it isnt that bad my nerves tend to relax. When I put my chin to my chest I get surge of the pins and needles down the back and/or legs.
Do most people with ms experience these pains even when at rest/relaxed? or is it a constant thing?
I thought alot of my symptoms were from a fall I took. The fall itself makes no sense. And looking back I may have had the beginnings of this before the fall. I had experienced on the bottom of one foot a constant buzzing in a small spot that lasted all day and was gone the next. I also had sensations on my back after taking a shower,.I thought at the time perhaps I had the water on to hard. Of course now this happens all the time.
I also have experienced a vision change and I thought because of my age 45, that it may be normal but when all my nerves were at thier worst and I felt I may become paralized I was having occular migraines, which I have experienced in the past but maybe only once every 6 months to a year. Now that things have settled down but not gone away I have been experiencing small light flashes out of the corner of my left eye.
My muscles reflex have been pretty good but have experienced weakness time to time depending on what I am doing.
The first day at physical therapy they did traction on my lumbar and I didnt even make it half way to my car in the parking lot when my nerves went haywire. The next day they did some electro therapy on my back and calmed everything right back down. I dont think I will be letting them do that to me again. The therapy I am going through is suppose to be for a pinched nerve in my spine (somewhere?) I am just not so sure now that that is what I am going through. No test were taken just my symptoms (mostly the chin to chest thing). I had a couple xrays that showed my spine bones looked fine.
If anyone wants to share some of thier experiences with me I would appreciate it. Specially what were some of the first symptoms that you experienced etc.
Im not really in a hurry to run off to another doctor right now because the bills are allready coming in,.but I have a feeling I am going to have to see a neurologist if this therapy doesnt change things. thanks for any input.

betsey2u,

Welcome to NT. I understand why you are here.

I noticed that your fall had an unusual cause- not just off balance or that you missed a step, but the buzzing in your foot. Is that right?

Also, the feeling of water drops on your back.

Along w buzzing feet and neck- I do think there is enough to have another opinion of what is going on. And as long as I was getting a second opinion, I would make it a neurologist.

In the meantime, I would share everything with my Primary if that is easily done. I also recommend keeping a symptom journal. Just write down the date and what you are feeling physically that day and any circumstances that are relevant. I also add the day's weather (temp).

You can have a myriad of symptoms originating from your spinal cord so the ortho might have seen this many, many times but it wouldn't hurt to keep some notes.

I hope you get feeling better,
ANN

I think I better start keeping notes. The buzzing is mostly in both legs/feet /buttocks and sometimes hands. In the back after I take a shower and I have had it in my teeth also! Which is kinda scary. Last few therapy sessions they used the tens unit on me and I loved it. Now today I am noticing the effects arent lasting as long and I should keep moving or exercise/stretch. I was just wondering if these are signs of ms and if people with ms have thier pains go away on thier own or not or if it is constant.
thanks for your input.

Betsey 2u,

It's not screaming MS- I think that's why there are so few responses- well one. OTOH, everyone's MS is different thus the notes to follow this over time.

I hope the ortho is right and that you will get better. It takes time.

Best to you,
ANN

yeah the more I am going to therapy and learning about possible lumbar/pinched nerve/radiculopathy symptoms I am pretty sure that is what I got and not ms. Either way dealing with nerves is a drag and I feel for all others who are suffering along with me and maybe way more than I. If anything it is physically and mentally taxing. Someone can delete this thread if they like. and thanks for letting me talk through and vent.