Jeez, I probably have the millionth MS scare, but I can't shake it

[ninerfan36]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and let me preface this with saying that I am a Grade A hypochondriac. I know this about myself, and have displayed a consistent pattern of turning minor symptoms in major illnesses in past, all of which have proven to be nothing. It doesn't help that I'm also a second year medical student and I spend day after day learning about terrible diseases. That being said, this time I'm terrified I'm right. Also, to make matters worse, it's not me with the symptoms, it's my gf. So here is goes:

She is 25 and otherwise healthy. No family history of MS. Last week, she started having numbness on her left side in her arm and leg (mostly from the knee down). Not on her torso though. Since then, it has come and gone, but has been mostly present. Sometimes it feels worse. She also suffers from RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and has for many years now. Other than that, she hasn't really had other MS symptoms that she's mentioned. Sure, she feels tired often but she also works hard and doesn't get enough sleep. Definitely no Optic Neuritis, and no reported sensitivity to heat.

I made her go see her doctor on Tuesday, who didn't freak out over these symptoms (obviously), but did tell her to keep a journal and write down when they happen again. She also seemed a little concerned over my gf's frequent headaches (~2/wk) but that has been going on for awhile. I also get headaches, as I'm sure many people do.

PLEASE, I know you are not doctors and have no access to an MRI, but PLEASE someone tell me something! I read the 'newcomers worried about MS thread' several times, and while I found it somewhat reassuring, I still don't believe it applies in THIS case. I'm stressing like mad, although trying not to show it because I don't want to stress her out too. In my head I've already diagnosed her. I have no one to talk to about my fears, so I turn to the internet...

[Jad322]

Hi,  I'm understand completely how you feel. Im in the healthcare field and had my own Ms scare a while ago. I think we try to always to "think ahead " añd prevent anything before it happens. This allows us to be in control. We like that. Now having additional medical knowledge about how important preventitive or early treatment before Ms gets worse is well known and key to a semi normal life. But think of it this way, Ms is not the diagnosis it use to be. I worked with a pain management doc who was convinced I had it too. So much he wanted to do a spinal tap as my mri showed nothing. I later learned that his wife has Ms and is a mother of 5 and lives a life as well as she can. If your gf has Ms can you take the disease away? No,  but can you learn how to adjust to a life that is great even if she has Ms? Sure. Will you love her any less? No. Allow your mind to surrender to the idea that this is one thing we cant control. The things you can control are keeping a journal and keep an eye on her symptoms. Most people go an average of 5 years with out a diagnosis. Are you going to stress yourself for 5 yrs? And most people with Ms live a very happy and productive life. However,  once your mind adjust to the idea of losing control and accepting that it may happen,  your anxiety will calm down.  Hope this helps a bit.

[ninerfan36]

Jad,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Just hearing from someone helps, since I've been unable to talk about this with anyone. Just wanted to say thanks, and that it was much appreciated.

[ejmommy]

Does she have anxiety issues? I'm just wondering because it doesn't sound like she is too concerned. Wondering if anxiety could be contributing or not.

Of course there are a lot of things that could cause numbness besides MS. I am a big MS worrier and have researched every possible cause for my symptoms. It's just one on the scarier ones. Although I do agree with Jad about it not being the diagnosis it used to be.

Did the doctor do any kind of neurological exam, or any thoughts at all as to what they thought it might be? Seems that in my experience, if MS is suspected they refer to a neurologist asap, based on myself and what I've read on here.

[Slangevar]

Make sure that when your gf documents the numbness, that she also documents when she felt it and what she was doing that day.

I also get slight left-sided numbness in my hand and sometimes my foot. When I go on vacation, it goes away. After a while, I realized that I have terrible posture and a bad habit of leaning on my left side when I work at the computer. When I step away from the computer for a day or two, the numbness totally goes away.

What I'm saying is, if she burns the midnight oil as much as you say she does, it's possible the numbness is coming from a posture-induced compressed nerve.

[Allochka]

Hi,
MS scare was what has brought me to these boards. After investigating more about the disease and reading some MS forums I calmed down- the overwhelming majority of people with MS live long happy lives. That being said- your girlfriend is not diagnosed with MS yet, and most probably won't be. Doc is not concerned - very good sign! Please try to calm down - health anxiety can be much more debilitating than even MS...