Qestion about symptoms
 

I have a question about symptoms such as tingling or numbness. When this happens is it always on one side of your body? Iam in limbo. The doctor tends to think my problem was b12 deficiency. He said the fact that all my symptoms were bilateral was significant as MS symptoms are unilateral. Is this true for everyone here?

Your doctor is wrong. MS symptoms can be bilateral or unilateral it just depends on the person and their MS.

I am generally affected on my right side but have had symptoms on both. My right hand/arm has been numb since October 2007. I am doubting that it's going to get any better. My Neuro told me that if it lasts longer than 6 months it's usually permanent. Does this sound right? It took my double vision about 4 months to correct itself. I was told, too, that symptoms will usually show up on the same side of the body but I've had them on both my right and left sides - although not at the same time.

I'm with Snoopy, I've had several attacks that effected both sides simultaneously. I'm an oldtimer with MS and nothing surprises me anymore, but I also think your doc is wrong.

Also, while I do believe that vitamins play a significant role in our general wellness, it would take some major documentation to convince me that a low level of any one vitamin is the lone cause of an exacerbation.

Cat, I am in limbo also, I have the numbness and tingles mostly on my right side. VERY little on my left in almost 2 years. I agree with Snoopy your neuro is wrong - you should find a second opinion.

Thank you for your answers. I thought he was wrong also. He said that you don't get them on both sides of your body at the same time.

Unlike some people here in limbo, I still want to be in limbo. Iam scared to death to have a Dx. I had one MRI in Oct. 07 that showed multiple lesions (not in the useual place for MS) I was suppose to have a follow up. Iam so claustrophobic ( did i spell that right?) that I don't know what Iam more afraid of. The MRI or the Dx! I took 15mg of valium to get through the last one and that barely helped.

Cat - I am one of those people who would like to know what is wrong with me, I hope it isn't MS for I don't want it!!!!!! I wish it was just low B12 and a shot once a month would cure me, but when my neuro says he believes I have MS 100% but the insurance company won't take that as a dx I get really frustrated!! I personally hate being in limbo ~ I want to know what is wrong with me - why is my face, tongue and right side of my body numb in places, why do I fall, why do I always get vertigo, why am I in pain? There has to be a reason and I want to know why.....

Please don't get me wrong - I am not slamming you - You are lucky that you don't care that you are in Limbo, I wish I could be like you.... it would be a lot less stress on my part and we both know what stress does to us.

This is a great place to come for questions and answers. I wish you the best, it sounds like we have a lot in common. Maybe you can teach me how not to want a dx! :hug:

I also agree, you doc is wrong. I have numbness and tingling on both sides. It's worse on the right, and seems to hurt more, where on the left it's a quiet numbness.

I'm hoping it's not MS for you, but a dx will set you on a path of learning and acceptance. Even though I don't wish MS on anyone knowing is better in my book.

:hug:

Your doc is right and wrong.

You may very well have a B12 deficiency, and this could be causing your symptoms. If a B12 deficiency goes on for too long, your nervous system can be affected, and you may end up with peripheral nerve damage (and Paresthesia). In fact, that is one of the first things they should rule in/out when we present with MS-type symptoms.

http://www.b12patch.com/about-b12deficiency.html

The part that he/she is wrong on, is that we won't get symptoms bilaterally . . . that is not true. Numbness is one of my most prevalent symptoms with my attacks, due to spinal lesions. I will get it on one side OR both sides (either at the same time, or progressively affecting both sides over time).

Cherie

I can not belive the insurance company will not except that as a diagnosis!! (actually I can but..) What right do they even have to question the doctor? I might be a little nieve here about this but Iam truly shocked! What more do they want??
I feel horrible for you:hug: It's not that I don't want to know, I do. Its just that since I have gotten my b12 level back up, well, I have felt pretty good for the last month. If I go through another period like several months ago trust me I will have anther MRI. I may not like to think about it but I am no fool.

Thanks for answering Cherie,
I guess I was half hoping you all would be like "oh yeah your doctor is right" I was trying to kind of reassure myself. Like I said above, for now I don't have anything really bothering me. My eyes go blurry every now and then and my memory can be really foggy, but those are all b12 deficiency symptoms also. Now that my level is back up, if I ever feel as bad as I did over the summer I will get another MRI.

Thanks for all your help

I took b-12 thinking my numbness was just that..a deficiency. Nope.. lol. All of my symptoms are always, or always have been bi-lateral, but my right eye hasn't recovered the same as my left. They both went out at once, as well as my legs and hands. Most of the folks I spoke to with MS were always on one side, and it had me wondering if I had ms or something else. Although I'm being tested for Devics Syndrome just in case, my neurologist assured me that MS can indeed be bi-lateral.

Hi Cat

I am also one of the people who has symptoms on both sides and I am also dx'd B-12 deficient.

Some neuro's are still old school and need to be a little more aggressive with their thinking and treat the patient and not the disease.

Have you checked out the NMSS website or multi-sclerosis.org website for symptoms and explanations?

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...oms/index.aspx

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/mssymptoms.html

These two websites may help YOU understand in order to help HIM understand. Asking your doctor specific questions is the first step towards dx, but also knowledge is power (for you!).

It took a while for my doc to figure out the B-12 deficiency, but I now get monthly b-12 injections which has helped my fatigue, tingling a lot. I can tell when it's time for an injection.

Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress!

I agree with you totally - it isn't right that the insurance company can play my doctor but they do. I wish you the best as well, please keep us posted on how things go.

How did you get your b12 level back up? Shots or just vitamins?

hi cat,

i also have bilateral sx's.
but my worst is my left leg.
at one point a was tx'd for a vit B12 def and i felt better. but i still had my original sx's.

i agree that it's best to know what you're dealing with.
there are meds that are recommended now (5 approved) to help stop progression. getting onboard early may help with disability down the road.

try to learn as much as you can about MS.
you might even consider a 2nd opinion. and, consider an MS specialist.

i hope you don't have MS. but don't give up advocating for yourself.
keep us posted.

I guess I spoke to soon when I said I was not haveing any weird symptoms. Has anyone ever had an aura, like a migrain aura? It starts out really small like a megapixel. Then is grows in an arch shape flashing colors in a triangle pattern. This has only happend to me about 5 times over the last 10 years. I never get a headach and it useually lasts about 1/2 hour. I have no idea if this is something that happens to people with MS. I should point out that one of the reasons for leasions (once again) was migrain disorder. Any thoughts on this?

hello and welcome
the numbness use to always effect just my left side, now its also attacking my right side along with my left side, yes it can be annoying, so can people who cant drive:eek:

I can't feel my feet on the gas and break pedals. I see double too as well as flashes of light etc. Yea, i can drive, but I wouldn't recommend it. I only do in emergencies. Currently have a suspended license.. but working on fixing that problem. :cool: