I believe I've had MS for more than 30 years. I've been dx'd for six. I have always had a lot of joint problems which I believe are related to my ms. Several years back I thought I had carpal tunnel. A couple years ago I had problems with my knees. Last year it was an elbow and shoulder. This year it's my hands, again. Third or fourth episode of this kind of pain.

The pain and stiffness is worse with each "attack" and can last months. I haven't been able to convince my neuro that these are flares. She doesn't seem to think it's related to the ms at all, since my MRIs don't show potential for hand trouble.

I was wondering, do you think it sounds like a flare if a pain and problem persists in excess of 6 weeks, then goes away for weeks or months, or years only to return, worse than before? I think steroids would help, but how do I get my dr to agree?

Are these "secondary" symptoms (as I have been thinking of them) that will finally cripple me? Do I have SPMS now? I'll be scheduling an MRI in the next couple weeks. Maybe it will show something. But I doubt it.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Hi Catch, sorry you are going through this.

In my experience, which is only my own version of MS, it doesn't sound like MS symptoms nor part of SPMS. Could be and I am just not aware.

I was thinking about the fact that if you have one auto-immune disorder you have a higher chance of having a second than the general population.

Maybe a next step would be to see a Rheumatologist? What does Primary think?
ANN

My GP is scratching her head and sending me for accupuncture. My neuro is ordering an MRI. Rheumatoid Arthritis was supposedly ruled out a few years ago when I was having trouble. And no sign of arthritis or carpal tunnel. I have RSD in my left ankle but it's been in remission for 30 years, and this doesn't act like RSD. I understand what you mean about autoimmune stuff, but I can't find any other dx. What else could it be?

Plus this is like a flare, getting bad a few years ago, then I was fine for a while. Then this year, but much worse, and it seems to come and go getting worse each return trip.

Ahh, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy! It occured to me but you aren't injuring these sights are you?

I need to brush up on RSD. In the meantime- I hope acupuncture helps - a good thing to try.

Let us know how things go,
ANN