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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
Anyone ever experience symptoms of multiple sclerosis as a result of their struggling with severe anxiety and medication side effects/withdrawal?
I have so many issues with my body, it is very hard to tell exactly what is going on here. All I know is that my brain and body both are a train wreck. I am sooo chemically sensitive. I would go one and specify what symptoms I am experiencing but I feel so wiped out right now...ugh
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 20:42:34
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
When you feel up to it could you list your symtoms? I think can be confirmed MS that is with an MRI. Phillipa
Posted by Flora on August 5, 2009, at 20:51:23
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
Hello,
So sorry to hear of the worrying symptoms you've been having. Your post caught my eye as I've recently started having strange MS-like symptoms too: myoclonic jerks, numbness and tingling especially in my legs and hands and general weakness. I'm in my mid twenties and have a hotchpotch of allergies and other mental and physical symptoms - none of which have shown up in any way on my neurologist's radar - the oddest of which is electric shock-like sensations at night/ a sense that my head is being violently crushed. As far as I'm aware, there's no firm indication that MS-type symptoms necessarily mean you have the disease- it could simply be to do, say, with irregular serotonin levels/ SSRI withdrawal symptoms or a mineral imbalance. I'm afraid I'm very much in the dark too (except that I've first hand experience of the fact that stress can exacerbate such symptoms enormously) but I wanted to let you know you're not the only one out there. And I would also be grateful for any ideas or suggestions!
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 21:20:14
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone???? » morganpmiller, posted by Flora on August 5, 2009, at 20:51:23
Flora welcome to babble let me see if I can round up a list of MS symtoms. Phillipa
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 21:28:07
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone???? » morganpmiller, posted by Flora on August 5, 2009, at 20:51:23
Have you been properly tested for lyme disease?
Are you currently on any psychiatric medications?
Have you recently withdrawn from any psychiatric medications?
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 21:30:56
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 21:28:07
Morganmiller I've had lyme's disease and been treated. Link I found to MS. Phillipa
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/symptoms/index.aspx
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 21:33:22
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone???? » morganpmiller, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 20:42:34
> When you feel up to it could you list your symtoms? I think can be confirmed MS that is with an MRI. Phillipa
Arm and leg stiffness and weakness
Pressure type headache
Slightly slurred speech
Major fatigue
I have some others that I have good explanations for. I don't really think I have MS. I am just looking for other people that have experienced similar anxiety/depression and similar medications trials, that are also experiencing similar symptoms.
Posted by Flora on August 5, 2009, at 22:09:29
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
Many thanks Philippa - would you happen to know whether people in the early stages of MS can come back with perfectly regular MRI results? Would love your thoughts...
I've never been tested for Lyme disease- might be a worthwile avenue to pursue but to be honest I think it's unlikely as I've had none of the primary symptoms (I know these don't always manifest, but still...). I'm taking minute doses of Lamotrigine (25mg - sub-therapeutic I imagine but seems to help) and Ritalin (10-20mg a day - all my symptoms get worse when it wears off). I was on Celexa and Trazodone for several years and stopped both a couple years ago. I sympathise very much, by the way, with your remarks on another thread I just spotted on your frustration with efforts to write when feeling exhausted and dull and incomprehension of the perpetually mystifying chicken and egg problem. Personally, I don't know whether to wade deeper into the whole experimenting with meds business which I find rather wearying and depressing or just to try to be cheerfully stoical as far as possible and risk missing out on an improbable 'miracle cure'! At least I suppose I'm lucky to have a choice at this stage.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 22:44:28
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by Flora on August 5, 2009, at 22:09:29
>would you happen to know whether people in the early stages of MS can come back with perfectly regular MRI results?
Yes it is possible..I think the best MRI for diagnosis is with ink contrast. I would demand this type be done. Doctor's are waaay too conservative in searching for a possible diagnosis.
I don't think you have to have all the obvious symptoms of lyme to be living with the disease. I guess if your neurologist has not ordered some tests, maybe there is no reason. My doctors asked if I had ever been bitten by a tick and then had me get the tests.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 1:57:21
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 22:44:28
When my pdoc put me on Lamictal to supplement Wellbutrin, I got what I thought people with MS would feel when trying to walk. I felt like a puppet on a string of a drunken puppeteer. I took the Lamictal for a week and it got so bad I could barely walk a few feet. When I quit the lamictal I went immediately back to normal. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis so I know what those flareups feel like. This was different. I don't think I actually had MS, just some awful brain blip with Lamictal.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 6, 2009, at 2:21:33
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 1:57:21
>When my pdoc put me on Lamictal to supplement Wellbutrin, I got what I thought people with MS would feel when trying to walk. I felt like a puppet on a string of a drunken puppeteer.
I experienced the same thing!! I would describe it as being a puppet also. I lowered the dose and did o.k. I think I was on lamictal way too long. My brain and body have been through so much in such a short period of time and my thoughts and outlook are sooo negative. I hate this.
Posted by Flora on August 6, 2009, at 4:48:25
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
Very interesting about Lamictal -- thanks both of you and hope you start getting some relief.
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2009, at 20:22:46
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by Flora on August 6, 2009, at 4:48:25
Flora thanks don't know what to do. Come up empty handed all the time. Love Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on August 6, 2009, at 21:38:59
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
My dr wouldn't agree because it was such a small dose, but neurontin (or strange timing) screwed with my nervous system. The first night when I layed in bed I felt "weird". The next night I was driving and felt like I was losing control of my extremities, including driving. I stopped taking it right away, but I went through a period of identifying with things like ms, parkinsons, and epilepsy. I went to a neurologist. She didn't understand what "weird" meant. MRI was fine. I also started to develop extreme anxiety and had a lot of depersonalization for no reason. Xanax helped, and probably time and my other meds. I still sometimes get some light "weird" feelings in between wake & sleep. The medical field still has a long way to go (but I am glad we have at least come this far).
Posted by morganpmiller on August 7, 2009, at 22:24:23
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by alchemy on August 6, 2009, at 21:38:59
>She didn't understand what "weird" meant.
Yeah they(all doctors) usually need very specific detailed descriptions of things that are very hard to articulate.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 7, 2009, at 22:33:27
In reply to Re: MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by alchemy on August 6, 2009, at 21:38:59
Thanks everyone for your responses
Posted by stargazer2 on August 10, 2009, at 21:33:11
In reply to MS symptoms Anyone????, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:48:37
several years ago now,seems like yesterday, i was having what i thought were signs of ms. my sister-in-law had just been diagnosed with ms and when i read some of the symptoms, i had morethan a few of them...including tripping with several documented falls.
long story, short...all of my symptoms were related to taking lamictal which, for some reason, at doses near 200-300 mg caused me to lose my balance. besides the falling, i was having some vague urinary symptoms and also, numbness and tinglin in my legs, etc.
i had the full workup, including and mri, which came back negative.
So i know what you must be going through. its hard to say what is real ornot, but for me, the effects of lamictal really affected me poorly. i suspect, many other meds can cause similar effects, so for anyone on meds which affect the neurological system, any side effects are possible.
try and find out if the symptoms are related to a medication first, i.e lower a dose or stop a med to see if the symptoms go away before undertaking a big, expensive workup when it could be solely the results of a new medication or a dose that is too strong for you.
Posted by morganator on August 13, 2009, at 19:04:34
In reply to yes, had the full ms workup, posted by stargazer2 on August 10, 2009, at 21:33:11
Thanks for your input
This is the end of the thread.
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