Does anyone with multiple sclerosis have symptoms that go away with rest?

Question

I am being tested for MS and know it does not always show up in tests. My symptoms came on me out of nowhere. I get up in the morning and am fine for a while but the more i move around the worse it gets. It has been 2 weeks now and the first week was bad but it is getting better with each day. The first week I got lightheaded, dizzy, weak, loose my balance, heavyness in my legs, and tired quikly, This week I just loose my balance verry little though, stiff legs only if on my feet verry long, get slightly dizzy sitting or standing, and now my lower back and buttocks hurt I guess from stiffening my back to keep from falling. I can not find this kind of info on the web and thats why I am here hopeing I can get answers from someone who has experiance with multipile scurosis.

Answer 1

MS has a wide range of symptoms. It may take months to confirm a diagnosis. Tests are done to look for MS and to rule out other possible causes. Some diagnostic tests used are:

Blood work - look for Vit B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers

MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium - identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.

Evoked potentials - hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.

Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. Can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.

For a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and a physical indicator (i.e. change in the central nervous system) must occur.

Answer 2

Hi ya' Muffy, Unfortunately there are a lot of things about MS that you will not find out from your doctor. What you are describing is very common. As the day wears on most of us with MS experience a worsening of symptoms as our bodies get tired. I usually am well balanced in the morning but as night time comes, I become increasingly unsteady. The other thing that I find is that my symptoms change every few months. And in the Spring and Autumn my symptoms increase and become more troublesome. It seems that most people have exacerbations in these seasons as well. I went to  peer led MS society meetings for a few years and found out the nitty gritty from the folks who had MS for decades. That really helped me. And what I liked about it was that there were no professionals there. IT increased the bonding, the sharing and camaraderie. Or try joining one of the on line MS Yahoo groups to get the the scoop. Have a great day!!!!!