My doctor hasn't mentioned MS but I think it might be...

Here is My Question:
I have been diagnosed with fibro, which I reluctantly concur that I have but I have recurrent weakness in the legs (primarily thighs), a slow walking pattern and pain in my legs. I am 54 making this atypical but have never been tested dor MS. I really dislike diagnosing myself by using the web but for the last 5-7 years it's seems every time I look up symptoms it comes with a preliminary diagnosis of MS. Docs have never suggested this. Should I suggest it to them or find different docs?


Answer:
Since the inflammatory event of MS can occur anywhere within the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves, the resultant symptom can be almost anything.  This is why MS typically comes up as a "need to investigate" possibility for patients experiencing a wide variety of symptoms.

If you wish to have this investigated, you should see a neurologist, preferably a fellowship trained MS specialist who will apply the diagnostic criteria and consider alternatives as well.  Sometimes all that is needed to answer your question is a consultation with a specialist and nothing more.  Sometimes additional evaluation is needed with imaging, blood testing, etc.

A. Scott Nielsen MD MMSc
Neurologist and MS Specialist at Kaiser Permanente