Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Likely ms and questions

scole89
scole89

so i’m New to this board, I’ve been looking for answers to some questions I have and wasn’t sure if anyone one here could help.  I have been having issues for about a year now.  It started last October when I lost the vision in my eye, I had an mri because I was pregnant and they said I needed to see a neurologist for ms.  I went to the neurologist who was a weirdo and told me it was because I get my period...not sure how that is even likely but whatever.  So I decided to put it on the back burner and forget about it.  Then two months after having my son in February I started back to work.  I am a welder/fabricator and I work on large equipment for mining companies.  I noticed that when I would put my welding hood down I would start to wobble very badly.  So I tried to close my eyes and see what would happen and I fell over.  So I knew there was something wrong but I could still work so I let it go.  About two months ago I started tripping a lot and having kind of like a vertigo but not spinning, almost like objects are moving but they’re not.  I also get numb patches, hot patches, tingling, and electric type shocks in my neck, back, and side of rib cage.  So I went back and they said I have lesions on my brain and sent me to new neurologist.  He thinks I have ms and now I have to go for a cervical mri and limb and eye test.  I’m hoping I don’t obviously but it’s not sounding good.  In office I failed the rohmberg test quite badly as well as the tandem gait and apparently my reflexes are off on my left side.  So he cleared me to work but not at heights which is almost impossible for what I do, the things I build are several ton in weight and always require a scissor lift.  I’m afraid I will lose my job.  So basically, do any of you have symptoms like these? And if so, are they repairable, or reversible? Or will I have these issues forever now? 

lorrieonline
lorrieonline
It sounds like you have symptoms that could certainly be MS. I have a problem standing with my eyes closed as well. Makes it difficult to not lose balance in the shower too. That first doctor sounded like a real gem, but the second seems more knowledgeable. I see an MS specialist. There's no telling how long symptoms last. They can disappear, or ms can be relapsing/remitting which would be flares that we recover from. Healthy diet and exercise are extremely important with MS. Diagnosis is frustrating, I know. There are treatment that are said to slow progression and sometimes relieve some symptoms although I haven't been taking any since they're immunosuppressants. If you do have MS, your doctor will explain all of those to you. All depends on the type of disorder too. take care of yourself. Let me know, or any of us, if you have questions. I don't mind sharing what I've been through. I hope it's not MS though. Perhaps it will be something curable and nixed out of your system. Has the doctor tested you for Lyme disease? A lot of Lyme cases present as MS too. (as do so many things)
Hugs.
scole89
scole89
Yes, unfortunately not lyme, or migraines, they did say possibly ishchemic small vessle but i dont know much about that. Does your dizziness ever go away? Got cleared for work but im worried about getting fired.
lorrieonline
lorrieonline
I have more of a balance problem than a dizziness, mostly happening when I close my eyes. I tried standing still with my eyes close and I do tend to lean, In the shower is the scariest though. It's washing the hair and tilting the head back to be careful of for me. Just try to stay strong for work. Get your rest, eat a healthy, nutrition dense diet and take your breaks when you can. A supervisor's concern should probably be your safety, so I would think as long as you don't back up a line or something, you'll be okay? With me, I couldn't help but let on as I coudn't walk well but that's been several years. There are laws that protect people now so I'd get informed on the disability laws. :)
scole89
scole89
Well I returned to work and was fired. They said they can’t meet my restriction on heights. So I guess I don’t have to worry about losing my job anymore. This really sucks.
lorrieonline
lorrieonline
Well, that sounds horrible. I'm so sorry. How long had you been on the job that this "restriction on heights" has just now been an issue? I went back to school after being home and going stir crazy. I'm surprised they didn't have an alternate position to offer you although I know nothing of your company, but I had been a human resources director in the hotel business and it was always first priority to see if there was an alternate position available for someone if they had a restriction of some sort. (Like a workers' comp injury.)

Keep yourself active. What's your next plan?
scole89
scole89
Well I just switched jobs to that company about three months ago. I wasn’t having balance issues then, they just started about six weeks ago, and until I decided to wait and see the neurologist I was just risking it when it came to heights. I’m a tank welder for coal mining and the tanks were smaller than what I was doing so I figured it would be a good switch to lighten my work load. I was fabricating large scrubbers for coal mining that were about 130ton when complete but these tanks are only 2-6ton depending on the tank so I wanted to do something a little safer. Wish I would’ve known this was going to happen. My other company would have accomodated me I’m sure. I don’t think they liked me very much because I had a problem with the osha violations that were going on, and I told them. We had no ventilation in our confined space welding so i was worried about my lung health. Oh well, I guess you win some and lose some. They denied my unemployment too so now I have to fight that. I think I found a new job though already.
lorrieonline
lorrieonline
Good for you to possibly have found a new job. Unemployment doesn't just stop with the most recent employer. File anyway. If you were missing any time, it's on the most recent full time employer. I haven't been in HR for a while but I woudn't think that's changed. I know how dangerous welding can be on your health. Shame on that company if they're not complying with OSHA standards. Those are peoples' lives their dealing with! I only took welding in shop class and was fascinated by it. The shop teacher loved my welds, although I know there's a term for that which I've long forgotten. :) Please check into unemployment if you've lost any wages at all.
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