Bell's Palsy or MS?

Here is My Question:
I haven't been "diagnosed" with MS, yet, but my Dr said it's a possibility. I've noticed a lot of signs/symptoms that I've played off as this or that. I don't run to the Dr for anything really. I think tho, that it may be time to investigate further but I don't want to be a hypochondriac. About 5 years ago I had sudden vision problems, my peripheral vision was shot, everything was completely a blur. It came back about a week later and I dismissed the incident. About 6 mo the ago the right side of my face went completely numb. Like a line had been drawn down my face and numbness took over the right side. It lasted for about 3 weeks.

The Dr said at that point that I could have MS but we were going to treat as Bell's palsy because that would be more common. The medication had no effect and my face stayed numb for about 3 weeks. About 3 months ago I had pains in my ribs like labor pains. I couldn't breath or talk or move it hurt so bad. At that point I went to the hospital for fear something was seriously wrong (still not linking MS at this point), they said the cartilage in my ribs cage was torn and to be more careful. Home I went. I get horrible headaches since I was a child but about 5 years ago I was also diagnosed with cluster headaches as well.

Still not linking anything until about 2 weeks ago I noticed that I stutter and I never use to, I drop things like I just let go of them, heat (has always bothered me) makes me feel weak and tired and my face tingles like it wants to go numb again. I've got this big hump at the base of my neck that I assumed was bad posture but now I wonder. My neck bothers me a lot and sometimes if I turn my head too fast I get this awful sharp burn in it like fire. There are other things I'm forgetting, I'm sure, but these are a few that make me wonder if maybe I should look into MS further with my Dr or if I'm just being a hypochondriac. Any opinions would be gratefully appreciated, thank you so much. 


Answer:
The first thing to do is see a neurologist. By the way Bell’s palsy doesn’t cause numbness in the face, so I know you have not seen a neurologist yet. I can only tell you that some of your symptoms are suggestive of MS, but your overall story doesn’t sound like MS. You will need a good neurologist to take a history and examination from you before you even consider this diagnosis.
Good luck

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Clinical Neurosciences Director
University of California San Diego