Hi everyone,
Thank you for this forum and for the
ability to post dreaded questions that are
hungry for answers or at least a nudge in
the right direction.
Here is my story...
I am 39 years old, male, married and have
two kids.
Approximately 17 years ago I became
dreadfully ill. Not knowing what was going
on at the time, it felt like I was dying
for sure. I lost weight, lost my appetite,
was dizzy and fatigued for a solid 6
weeks, in Hospital for 3 of those. Due to
the lack of technology at the time in the
country I come from, a diagnosis was not
conclusive, and I was sent home confined
to bed while the fatigue took it's toll on
me for the next 3 weeks. I noticed that
the vision in my left eye was not as good
as my right, but didn't give much thought
to it. I seemingly recovered and life was
fine...until June of 2007.....
I suddenly became extremely dizzy, to the
point where I felt I was about to black
out. I experienced sever palpitations in
my chest, and thought I was having a heart
attack. After seeing my PCP (Primary Care
Phys.) he was uneasy with the EKG
performed in his office and sent me off to
the ER. After further blood work the
Doctors decided my heart was ok and sent
me home. This was to be the start of the
hardest 3 months experienced in my life.
Another trip to the ER resulted in me
being admitted for 4 days, and extensive
tests were performed. My heart checked out
healthy apart from PVC's which are now
being assisted with the help of
medication. The Doctor brought in the
Neurologist and over the 4 days I had 3
MRI's done. Two lesions were discovered
and while all serious medical issues were
ruled out such as Stenosis and Clotting or
Aneurysm, but the Neurologist could not
rule out MS. Subsequent tests have been
conducted - the EP and
ENG tests, and the results will be
discussed this week.
During this period of time I have felt
very physically fatigued. I used to be
able to wake up early without any problems
- 5am etc., but now, getting out of bed is
such a mission impossible. I have
dizziness, nausea going on constantly.
Under pressure my hands shake
uncontrolably, and when I look at them it
is like they are not part of me. I have
also started judging distance wrong, and
sometimes poke myself in the eyes, drop
things more easily than before, knock
things over easily etc. I also get faint
electrical pusles through my body which
scare the daylights out of me. These
pulses or shocks, only last a few seconds
but are noticeable to the point where I
feel uncomfortable. Included in these
shock pulses is the electric sensation I
have that goes from my head directly to my
chest, giving me a deep sinking feeling,
it also lasts a few seconds, is very
intense and then goes just as fast as it
started. The right side of my facial area
by my right eye has developed a numb
tingling sensation for a few weeks now, it
isn't getting worse, but it also isn't
going away. My sleep is not doing too good
during the night, which I thought may be
enhancing the fatigue during the day. I
have also lost weight - which is a good
thing, but my appetite just isn't what it
used to be, perhaps this is the stress or
anxiety associated with what I have been
feeling lately. Did I mention buzzing in
my ears - that has also not eased or
improved over the last 3 months. I have
had bouts of depression, and that is
something I have never experienced either.
I also am experiencing bright flashing
objects like tiny spotlights in my eyes,
this also lasts just a few seconds. There
is mild pain and discomfort behind my
eyes, but especially my left eye, and this
is the same eye where my vision has become
worse. Sometimes some of the words I
pronounce come out wrong, and as soon as I
have said it I know it came out wrong,
almost slurred. Under pressure I am
struggling to focus and answer or respond
quickly, and it is frustrating. One final
thing that I battle with big time is the
heat...it makes me feel dreadful, having
loved the heat this has me puzzled...
Is it possible that the bout I experienced
17 years ago is somehow linked to this
even more pronounced bout that has had me
off my feet for most of the past 3 months?
A lot of what I have read is that two
bouts and two clinically proven lesions
could be used to diagnose MS.
I know these are vague and sketchy
descriptions, but it is what I am feeling
of late and wondered in anyone's opinion
here whether this could be the onset of MS
- or not. Everyone looks at me and can't
understand what it is that I am feeling or
experiencing, but I know for sure
something is going on.
Thank you dearly for your response.
