Multiple Sclerosis or something else?

[koalatbs]

In the beginning of April, I woke up one morning feeling slightly numb in my right foot. I didn't think much of it, figured I slept on it wrong or something. The very next morning my whole right leg was slightly numb as well, which actually got number for about 2 weeks. It stabilized pretty much & I saw my doctor who referred me to a neurologist. Since then, I've had 3 different sets of MRI's, 2 chest x-rays, blood work, a spinal tap & a spinal angiogram. The numbness spread up my other leg as well and I had dizziness at times. The numbness extended from my belly button, wrapping around my hips to my back & all the way down both legs & feet. I could barely walk without support for a couple weeks. My neurologist says he is only 50% sure I may have MS & says he doesn't need to see me again unless I develop any other symptoms other than what I already have. When I lean my head forward I usually feel a quick twang in an arm, leg or foot. The more activity I do the stiffer my legs get.

[crazy4wordracer]

I don't know if you have MS, but know several people who have it and are effected differently. The numbness seems to be familiar with Gillian Barres Syndrome (GBS). I knew a lady who had that and believe she still does although in most cases the symptoms disappear after a year. Medical Journals associated the disease with a vaccine (I can't remember which one, could be chicken pox) that was given out in the 1970's. She explained that one morning she woke up and attempted to get out of bed and fell to the floor having no sensation from her neck down, eventually the numbness went away within several months in her upper body but claims she still can't use her legs. I believe part of that was because she wasn't utilizing her therapy treatments and became accustomed to her husband waiting on her. She was and still is confined to a wheel chair in a nursing home since her husband's passing.If she continued her therapy, I feel she would have been able to strengthen her leg muscles but since that is not the case, she can no longer walk.Other cases of GBS, some so severe, patients are not able to talk. If it turns out to be MS, if it's caught early enough there now is medication for it.Ask the doctor to check for GBS so it can be ruled out.Hope everything works out for you.