Convinced I have Ms

[Gale]

I am so convinced now that all my symptoms are related to MS. JUST read an article on how it can go undiagnosed for years and how the symptoms can last for weeks, months and then go away only to return again. So this is how anxiety also works too. Been this way for over 40 yrs. I am not disabled but there are days I feel.like I get worse. I have read that MS can go undiagnosed for many years. Oh boy I really have put myself in such a state. I had 2 MRIs years ago and nothing showed. It's getting to the point I have no faith in doctor's at all. Have an appt. In three weeks and god I am so scared. I am almost 70and this all started when I was 25. Diagnosed all these years with anxiety. I feel so depressed and helpless.

 

[bin_tenn]

It's certainly a possibility, but after all these years I think you'd feel quite a bit worse if it were MS. What is your upcoming appointment for? Are you getting tests, seeing a specialist, etc?

Whatever the case, I think you'll be just fine. Hang in there. Please do let us know how things go at the appointment.

 

[Gale]

It's certainly a possibility, but after all these years I think you'd feel quite a bit worse if it were MS. What is your upcoming appointment for? Are you getting tests, seeing a specialist, etc?

Whatever the case, I think you'll be just fine. Hang in there. Please do let us know how things go at the appointment.

Hi Binn...... feeling so depressed. I am seeing a neurologist because I am questioning if I have anxiety. Just having do many doubts about this. Not believing anxiety can make you feel bad and with so many symptoms. I do see a psychiatrist and she strongly believes it is anxiety. So who do I believe? Thanks for responding. Will keep you updated.

 

[bin_tenn]

I understand completely, as do many others here. It's not easy sometimes, that's for sure.

See the neurologist and maybe they'll have a more definitive answer. If they find no reason to truly suspect MS do you think you can accept that it is indeed just anxiety? Also, what if they say you do in fact have MS? What have you done to mentally prepare for either answer?

 

[Danny1001]

What symptoms do you have that you believe you have Ms? Where was your mri of


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[Cuchculan]

Think all us anxiety sufferers know that the symptoms of anxiety, at times, can be mixed up with other things. Even the most common of anxiety symptoms can mimic various illnesses. Hence we hear people say they think they might have this, that or the other. easy to see why they might think this way. If they put their symptoms in Google it would never come back and simply say ' anxiety'. It will always come back with the worst of the worst illnesses. The symptoms simply overlap each other. Ask a person with anxiety how often had they had shaken hands or weak legs and you will probably hear them say a lot of the time. You write those 2 things into Google and it will give you the name of some really bad illness. Plus with anxiety the whole body can feel weak and like it is shaking from head to toe. Instead of thinking anxiety, people assume the worst. They allow their minds to take over. Thinking anxiety can not do all of this to them. Or if it was anxiety it should have stopped by now. We can all have tests done. Nothing like playing it safe. But if the tests fine nothing at all, then what? Accepting the test results seems to be a very hard thing to do for a lot of people. But if they find nothing, well, we have to accept that fact. That there has to be some other reason for how we are.

 

[mollyfin]

Anxiety is more common than MS so I'd put my money on that, however, if you DO have MS, you can still live a normal life. I know someone with MS, and when I was talking about the symptoms I have constantly, they asked if I'd ever been tested for MS because it sounded like them. They suggested it like someone might suggest you have a cold, with zero urgency. It's not a diagnosis you WANT, but your life isn't over with it.

 

[Gale]

Think all us anxiety sufferers know that the symptoms of anxiety, at times, can be mixed up with other things. Even the most common of anxiety symptoms can mimic various illnesses. Hence we hear people say they think they might have this, that or the other. easy to see why they might think this way. If they put their symptoms in Google it would never come back and simply say ' anxiety'. It will always come back with the worst of the worst illnesses. The symptoms simply overlap each other. Ask a person with anxiety how often had they had shaken hands or weak legs and you will probably hear them say a lot of the time. You write those 2 things into Google and it will give you the name of some really bad illness. Plus with anxiety the whole body can feel weak and like it is shaking from head to toe. Instead of thinking anxiety, people assume the worst. They allow their minds to take over. Thinking anxiety can not do all of this to them. Or if it was anxiety it should have stopped by now. We can all have tests done. Nothing like playing it safe. But if the tests fine nothing at all, then what? Accepting the test results seems to be a very hard thing to do for a lot of people. But if they find nothing, well, we have to accept that fact. That there has to be some other reason for how we are.

Hi Cuch.........just got myself into a bad state!! Don't know how much you know about MS but with me it seems I am obsessed with it. Guess I have read too much on it and how difficult it is to diagnose. I feel like I have always had it but was never diagnosed. My family tells me I would be so much worse as the disease does progress.. Everything you say is so true......why can't I believe it. Waking up everyday with these symptoms is scarring the hell out of me!!! I feel like a failure because I can't accept that I've been told it's anxiety. These symptoms are so real and go on and on everyday. Don't know what you had for symptoms but I admire the fact you accepted them and seem to be doing well. So scared about seeing my doctor freaking out she will find something.
Thanks for taking your time to help me out here. Talk again soon.

Anxiety is more common than MS so I'd put my money on that, however, if you DO have MS, you can still live a normal life. I know someone with MS, and when I was talking about the symptoms I have constantly, they asked if I'd ever been tested for MS because it sounded like them. They suggested it like someone might suggest you have a cold, with zero urgency. It's not a diagnosis you WANT, but your life isn't over with it.

So true Molly!!!!? Do you still suffer with these symptoms? 40yrs. for me and I still don't believe it's anxiety as they have told me. Just want some relief!!!! Thank you.

 

[mollyfin]

Yes but in my case it could be a number of things. Probably not entirely anxiety but in my case I think it's likely that I have a bunch of smaller problems, not one big one, and a lot of it is likely bad diet (I'm working on it) and drug side effects. I'd love to get off SSRIs, but I tried that a couple years ago and it went absolutely horribly. I hope you find answers soon.

 

[Gale]

Yes but in my case it could be a number of things. Probably not entirely anxiety but in my case I think it's likely that I have a bunch of smaller problems, not one big one, and a lot of it is likely bad diet (I'm working on it) and drug side effects. I'd love to get off SSRIs, but I tried that a couple years ago and it went absolutely horribly. I hope you find answers soon.

Yes me too!!!!

 

[Cuchculan]

Problem is you have what you have in your mind already. That is what your mind believes. Sort of like training the mind to believe something. Is hard to make it believe anything else. Unless we change how we think. This is what the mind thinks, that does not mean it has to be true. You won't be able to change how you think over night. It does take time. Never easy at all. Once the mind believes something it is hard to not believe it.

 

[suzzeeb]

If you have had MS since you were 25 they would be able to diagnose it for sure. I don't believe someone can have MS that long without having worsening symptoms over the years, and if you did have MS, you obviously have it so mild that it would not get much worse. Were the symptoms in your 20s exactly the same or have you had additional symptoms since then? If they tell you you do not have MS I don't believe you will accept that and so will continue to suffer with the worry and anxiety. You will be ok either way! I know someone with MS and her quality of life is better than mine with stupid anxiety!

 

[Gale]

If you have had MS since you were 25 they would be able to diagnose it for sure. I don't believe someone can have MS that long without having worsening symptoms over the years, and if you did have MS, you obviously have it so mild that it would not get much worse. Were the symptoms in your 20s exactly the same or have you had additional symptoms since then? If they tell you you do not have MS I don't believe you will accept that and so will continue to suffer with the worry and anxiety. You will be ok either way! I know someone with MS and her quality of life is better than mine with stupid anxiety!

Hi Suzzeeb......I am in such an awful state. Probably brought it on myself!!! I did not feel as bad in my 20's....I could function better. But was always running to doctor's!!!!!! Now I feel like these symptoms are different and more intense. Just have done too much reading which is not a good thing. Maybe if I could have another MRI I may feel better. Really scared right now that my doctor will find something!!!!! Often wonder if anxiety is worse than the actual disease.

 

[mollyfin]

@suzzeeb while I agree that the issue is more than likely anxiety, MS can take well over a decade to diagnose. It's normal for it to take years at least. I don't think Gale has MS because anxiety causes so many issues and so do minor things over time. But it's not abnormal for someone with MS to go ten years or more without a diagnosis. As someone who's known people with MS I do think that's something the general public should be aware of, especially since people don't tend to be too patient with those who are always too tired to do things or constantly seem to be in pain or feeling unwell for "no good reason."

 

[suzzeeb]

Yes I agree it can take years to diagnose, but after 40 years I would expect there to be more symptoms and progression. But I guess I don't know enough to say it couldn't be a really mild case with no increase in symptoms over that time span. It just seems to be that by the time 40 years go by there would be a diagnosis. I would think there would be lesions seen on imaging or that weakness would be found on neurological testing. There are other tests besides MRI, although I think MRI is probably the best, but I have read of several others such as lumbar puncture, that can also test for MS. Maybe if all of these tests are done Gale would feel more at ease since it's been years since her last MRI.

 

[Gale]

Yes I agree it can take years to diagnose, but after 40 years I would expect there to be more symptoms and progression. But I guess I don't know enough to say it couldn't be a really mild case with no increase in symptoms over that time span. It just seems to be that by the time 40 years go by there would be a diagnosis. I would think there would be lesions seen on imaging or that weakness would be found on neurological testing. There are other tests besides MRI, although I think MRI is probably the best, but I have read of several others such as lumbar puncture, that can also test for MS. Maybe if all of these tests are done Gale would feel more at ease since it's been years since her last MRI.

Oh God now you guys have really got me worried!!!!! Someone said to me if you have MS and never have taken any meds for it don't you think you would be alot worse!!!!!! Just don't know what to believe anymore.

 

[suzzeeb]

I'm glad you have an appointment in a few weeks. I think you would feel better if you knew for sure. I think based on test results and what your doctor tells you, you should be reasonably sure one way or the other, and I think your mind could be at peace. If it happened to be MS, there are medications if you need them. If you haven't progressed in all these years, I think it is reasonable to assume you will continue to have only mild symptoms that you have already lived with for all these years. I really doubt this is MS as anxiety symptoms resemble those of MS and a million other diseases.

 

[Gale]

I'm glad you have an appointment in a few weeks. I think you would feel better if you knew for sure. I think based on test results and what your doctor tells you, you should be reasonably sure one way or the other, and I think your mind could be at peace. If it happened to be MS, there are medications if you need them. If you haven't progressed in all these years, I think it is reasonable to assume you will continue to have only mild symptoms that you have already lived with for all these years. I really doubt this is MS as anxiety symptoms resemble those of MS and a million other diseases.

Thank you!!!!!

 

[Danny1001]

What kinds of symptoms do you have that make you think you have MS


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[Cuchculan]

After all the posting in this thread it is fair to say that none of us are doctor or experts on anything medical. It could be this or it could be that is all we are qualified to say. Gale is doing the right thing. She will be visit a doctor and discuss it with the doctor. Who is qualified. If the doctor thinks more tests are needed, only the doctor can send Gale for those tests. One way or another she will get some form of answers from real experts. We all know what anxiety can do to people. Because we all have anxiety. We all know how it makes the mind work. How it can take something small and make it into something much bigger. We have all seen that happen before. So were seeing a doctor is the best thing to do in this case, accepting the answer the doctor gives still has to be done. How many times have we all read about people having tests done and not accepting what the doctor said? very common thing on a forum like this one. So I am sure this thread will carry on for some time yet. When we all hear what the doctor had to say. Then we hear what Gale thinks about what the doctor told her. We can all share words to try and help people. Support them as best we can. Which so many people have done in this thread. So many good posts. All worth reading. Now it is time for the real experts to take over. Only then will we see if we were right or wrong in our words. Comforting somebody is nice. If that is what they are looking for. if they want real answers, the doctor is the right road to take. But they still need our support. Good to see so many people do that in this thread and other threads on the forum. Now we all sit back and wait. Kind of like we all have this doctor's appointment. All wanting to find out the real answer. But keep that support coming. I am sure it is helping Gale out big time.