Muscular weakness

Hello
I have some questions in regards to muscular dystrophy. I have been experiencing some concerning symptoms lately and I'm not sure if they are doing from my back issues (I have a lot going on with my back) or if it's something entirely different. My balance is getting worse some days I am always struggling to keep it in check sometimes I will be standing and foe no reason my legs give out and I almost fall or sometimes I will be doing dishes and I turn and my balance is questionable. I already fell twice in a week due to my balance issues but its not just that another thing is my eyes get blurry and hard for me to see even with my glasses on (new prescription), I'm also experiencing drop foot which is not helping with the balance. In 2019 when I hit my head twice and started stuttering and twitching they thought it was MS but I came out of that however lately I have noticed the twitches are back. They are very seldom so I haven't really mentioned them too much. Everywhere I have researched it says getting tested for MS is a process but I'm really concerned about my balance issues because I have two knee replacements and I can't keep falling on them or ill be getting that surgery again. I have had the blood test done for autoimmune and of course that comes back negative so I'm wondering would it be something g else. I mentioned to my pain doctor about the balance issue and he doesn't think its coming from my back he actually was the one that said I should see my family doctor asap and bring up these concerns because he said I'm actually at the right age for MS to start presenting itself. What would I say to my doctor without sounding like a hypochondriac?

@dolphfan exactly that - that you’ve had two falls at home now, are experiencing issues with your balance, and blurriness and your pain doctor said you should bring it up to your GP.

I recently went through this myself when I started a new drug and became ataxic. My doctor thought it had triggered MS. There was a flurry of blood work and they ordered 4 MRI’s - 1 of the brain and 3 of the spinal cord with and without contrast. In the end it wasn’t MS, it had actually unmasked myositis that had probably been there for a while. You definitely shouldn’t wait. Best of luck.

@pm56
Wow I'm sorry to hear that what is myositis? I have never really heard of that. My balance has always been an issue before starting the new meds we thought my balance was because of my back problems. But my balance is definitely getting worse and the pain doctor is concerned he has even done a few injections on my back (nerve blocks) to see if that would help but unfortunately nothing has changed. I have an appointment with my primary doctor in January but they did put me on a cancelation list so hopefully they can get me in sooner. Right now I just limit my walking I dont really go to stores unless I have to. (Our stores only have limited handicap parking and scooters). At home I pretty much limit the time I am standing to prevent me from falling and I document everything. That way I won't forget anything when I see the doctor. The thing is I'm not dizzy or I don't feel dizzy it's just when I'm standing and my legs just give out on me.

Hello
I have some questions in regards to muscular dystrophy. I have been experiencing some concerning symptoms lately and I'm not sure if they are doing from my back issues (I have a lot going on with my back) or if it's something entirely different. My balance is getting worse some days I am always struggling to keep it in check sometimes I will be standing and foe no reason my legs give out and I almost fall or sometimes I will be doing dishes and I turn and my balance is questionable. I already fell twice in a week due to my balance issues but its not just that another thing is my eyes get blurry and hard for me to see even with my glasses on (new prescription), I'm also experiencing drop foot which is not helping with the balance. In 2019 when I hit my head twice and started stuttering and twitching they thought it was MS but I came out of that however lately I have noticed the twitches are back. They are very seldom so I haven't really mentioned them too much. Everywhere I have researched it says getting tested for MS is a process but I'm really concerned about my balance issues because I have two knee replacements and I can't keep falling on them or ill be getting that surgery again. I have had the blood test done for autoimmune and of course that comes back negative so I'm wondering would it be something g else. I mentioned to my pain doctor about the balance issue and he doesn't think its coming from my back he actually was the one that said I should see my family doctor asap and bring up these concerns because he said I'm actually at the right age for MS to start presenting itself. What would I say to my doctor without sounding like a hypochondriac?

@dolphfan
Others have probably said this but it sounds as if you could use a good workup by a neurologist. The symptoms you describe sound like they could be neurological issues. My husband had to see 2 neurologists before being diagnosed with Parkinson's and my father had to see 4 neurologists before being diagnosed with ALS (and he was a doctor)! I am not suggesting that you might have these at all, it's just that I've learned that symptoms like balance, muscle weakness and vision problems can be related to the nervous system. If it was just balance or dizziness, you might consider inner ear disturbances, but it sounds like you have more than that going on. I hope you find the answers you need, I encourage you to keep at it until you do!

@dolphfan - From Google: "Myositis is a group of rare conditions characterized by inflammation of the muscles, leading to weakness, pain, and fatigue. It can affect various muscle groups and may also involve other body systems, with common types including polymyositis and dermatomyositis." Myositis causes weakness which is another possibility. I had multiple falls when it all kicked off which is how I realized something wasn't right. I was also sent for genetic testing to rule out any kind of late onset dystrophy (I'm 57). I didn't think MS was likely as I never had any kind of tingling or numbness, but my balance was terrible and I was very weak from the waist down. There are many issues that can cause weakness and balance issues so it definitely should be brought up at your appointment.

Things to think about for your appointment besides the balance, fatigue and falls - do you feel stiff in the mornings? Do you feel short of breath just talking? Any rashes on your chest or cheeks? Joint pain? Any issues swallowing food? Have you noticed any tremors in your hands/arms? Keep a journal of any symptoms so you don't forget anything significant when your GP appt comes up.

@pm56
Thank you for explaining what Myositis was it sounds painful. I'm sorry that you are dealing with that. I have severe joint pain but its because I have osteoarthritis in my entire body I'm 50 years old I already have two knee replacements (2021) holding off on hmgetting my hip replaced most likely both of them. I have issues with my back in a couple of weeks I am getting the SCS (spinal cord stimulation) done just to see if that is going to relieve my pain if not I have to go back to the surgeon or to a new surgeon to see if they will do surgery. Because I have had multiple injections done and even an RFA done and each one has caused more pain and discomfort. Every morning I am stiff but again that could be the arthritis so it would be hard to diagnosis me. I just know me having the balance issue is concerning and like I said before even my pain dr is co concerned. But I am going to write down my symptoms and incidents that way I will remember everything for my appointment. Thank you for your suggestions. Definitely a big help.