The Ugly Spectre Of MS

noThe Teenager collapsed last week.

As with most teenagers, he had his phone glued to his hand at the time and managed to text me in work:

‘can’t get off the floor, come and help me. I’m scared’.

I couldn’t get there straight away so sent others, who managed to pick him up off the floor.

By the time I arrived home, he was marooned in his bed, in pain and confused.

I took him to the GP and the chiropractor.

The evening before, we had been in A&E with extreme nerve pain. And were referred back to his GP.

Some tests were run.

He has been referred to a neurologist.

He mentioned a few symptoms that made my blood run cold.

He has been working out at the gym. That will be it?

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42 thoughts on “The Ugly Spectre Of MS

  1. Gail Taylor says:

    Sending love, hugs & positive vibes your way ?
    Hopefully your Teenager will be fighting fit soon and the MS doesn’t get it’s horrendous claws into him.
    You with both be in my thoughts xXx

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thank you!
      I think this is what MS does to us – we worry about things that most parents wouldn’t.
      I’m sure it’s a gym injury, but I want to make sure we explore every avenue.
      x

  2. Carina Muss says:

    You are naturally worried that he may also have MS but there are so many other things it could be.
    The average age for MS to rear it’s ugly head is 32 years of age, it is very seldom in children and young adults – I keep my fingers crossed for you and your teenager that everything is fine, best wishes from Carina

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Absolutely. This is the way we’re going to keep thinking.
      The medical staff have been amazing. Luckily my MS nurse called the day after this happened, to let me know they would look at my MRI as soon as possible and I mentioned this to her. She urged for him to get a neuro referral from the GP, just to hopefully clear up any worries. She was amazing and reassuring 🙂
      x

  3. 🙁 hope its nothing but better to run the tests to rule everything out. could have just overdone things at the gym and needs to take it a bit easier there

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Definitely – I think not doing anything would let MS take over. This way, we’re tackling it head on.
      I know the chances are really low, but I think it’s so important for The Teenager to be reassured. He’s often asked over the years what his risk was of getting MS and by seeing a neuro, fingers crossed this episode is just a one off and he can put it behind him 🙂
      x

  4. Cathi says:

    I hope the appointment with the neurologist is very, very soon so that you and the Teenager get some answers! I cannot begin to imagine how you and he are feeling!

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Fingers crossed we can clear all this up before he heads off to Uni!
      We’re trying to look on the bright side 🙂 I was unsure whether to write about it, but this kind of thing is probably in the back of mind of most people with MS. If I didn’t have it, we would possibly dismiss it as a gym injury, but what with the whole MS thing, it puts that fear in your mind (and that of your kids!).
      x

  5. Judy about Epstein says:

    I’m keeping you and The Teenager in my heart!!

  6. I too have MS and an only son. Your book has made me laugh and made me feel less freaky…in thanks for that, please know I am thinking of you and the Teenager and am on your side! (As well as nowhere near and unable to lift a teapot on your behalf.) For what it’s worth…
    Best of luck!

    • stumbling in flats says:

      That’s really lovely, thank you!
      It just all happened out of the blue, and I really want more than anything for him to be reassured. I don’t want any fears to get in his way, especially this summer as his life is just blossoming. He’s doing really well since it happened and getting on with life 🙂
      x

  7. Archie says:

    I’m stumped for adequate words of comfort but I want to leave something positive for you. Wishing you everything positive. X

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thank you!
      It’s always there, in the background, so for something like this to happen, it makes all those fears rise to the surface 🙁
      x

  8. Ann says:

    Fingers crossed it will sorted soon. Thinking about you and the teenager. xx

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thank you!
      He has an x-ray next week as the GP and chiropractor mentioned that sometimes gym injuries can show up on the spine. It feels positive to get appointments in motion and hopefully put this all to bed 🙂
      x

  9. Samantha Thompson says:

    Oh my goodness, I am really floored by your post.

    I have had some troubling instances with my son and they started when he was around 10. Our GP is keeping an eye on him but when you said your blood ran cold, I knew exctly that feeling. It is a, please please no but at the same time, the symptoms are so similar that it makes you run cold.

    I cannot express how much I hope it is something very simple like too much at the Gym etc.

    Thinking of you both.

    Love Sam xx

    • stumbling in flats says:

      That’s exactly how it feels – very reassuring to hear from someone else who has been through a similar thing! How horrible for both of you to go through this. But great that your GP is keeping an eye on him.
      I think we’ll feel so much better once he’s had an x-ray and sees a neuro – at first I was sorely tempted to put my head in the sand and pretend it wasn’t happening 🙁
      x

  10. Annie says:

    Aw Barbara such a worry for you … I feel it, but here’s the thing… it could be at least dozens of other things!! Exam stress, gym, sleepless nights etc etc even viral so don’t take yourself down any paths just yet. Easier said than done mind you! Sending you prayers, love, hugs positive vibes, the whole shebang ?? hope he is feeling a bit better and I’m sure he’s got a great nurse in you?

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Absolutely – we’re going along the lines of Anything But MS. And no doubt some exam stress thrown in for good measure! Everyone has been so great – the GP, the chiropractor and the MS nurse on the phone. And of course, you guys! Your comments really do make me (us) feel so much less alone. It’s great how fears diminish when you’re surrounded by such incredible good vibes from everyone 🙂
      x

  11. Chris Mountford says:

    Not a post I wanted to read. Hope he’s recovering now. Could be anything so try to keep your fears of MS in the background; the important thing is that his collapse and the reasons for it are investigated quickly. I’ll be thinking about both of you and keeping everything crossed until you post again with an update – love and every good wish for the outcome we all want. xx

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thanks Chris. That’s it exactly – we need to find out why he collapsed in the first place and everything else comes after that. The chiro spoke to him about how he works out and it seems he’s been shown really good and safe ways to exercise, such as sitting down doing weights rather than standing up. Perhaps he has pushed himself too far and put pressure on his spine. I’m sure it’s nothing worse than that 🙂 It’s just that fear and fear is always the worst thing!
      I’ll let you guys know updates as soon as I get them. I’ve been overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness. Honestly, I really don’t know where I would be without you all!
      x

  12. Sally says:

    I took a sharp inward breath when I read this I am sending you every positive thought possible. It will be somethin fixable and not your worst nightmare.well .the worst nightmare of all ms parents to be honest. Take care and just take it one step at a time

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thank you 🙂 That’s it exactly – it’s the lurking fear of parents with MS. We’re just going to face this head on, get it cleared up and move on, fingers crossed. And I’ll stop him going to the gym and making me worry!
      x

  13. Hel says:

    Can’t say anything apart from my thoughts are with you. Xx

  14. Sian Roberts says:

    xxx

  15. Beth says:

    Jesus. I’m sending every good vibe I have your way. He’s gonna be just fine. Please take care of him AND you. ❤️

  16. Jenny says:

    I’m sending you huge hugs and my fingers are firmly crossed
    I think you have both handled the situation well ;it can’t be ignored although I’m thinking positively on your behalf and going down the gym injury explanation. My newly 18 year old son has switched gyms.to a 24 hour one and it’s only a matter of time before he overdoes it and something pulls! Hopefully Teenager has gone all guns blazing without a warm up first
    But we all completely understand your fears and worries as.we watch over our kids growing. Can’t imagine how you are feeling but I’m thinking the best for you xx

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thanks Jenny!
      You know what teenagers are like when it comes to the gym – they think warm up is for wimps, lol. Yup, so fingers crossed that’s all it is.
      Those 24 hour gyms are handy – he sometimes goes to one in town when his is shut!
      x

  17. SandyW says:

    My son had a collapse as a teenager and I had to call an ambulance. The Dr at the hospital went out of his way to re-assure me it was unlikely to be MS, think he could hear the panic in my voice. Turned out to be Anxiety related – another issue to deal with but at least not MS.

    • stumbling in flats says:

      That’s really interesting – maybe it could all be connected to exam stress plus the gym. It’s good to hear the doctor at the hospital was so kind with reassuring you!
      x

  18. Nanette says:

    Surrounding you and your wonderful son in love and prayers.
    each of us reading have am empathy with you.
    You are held in very high regard

  19. Joan (Wales) says:

    I hope it’s nothing more than a gym injury. Last year my physiotherapist showed me some exercises I should do at home. They were leg exercises and I did them gently and a bit half-hearted I think, but after a few days of these exercises I woke up one day to the most painful right leg ever. The pain was in my groin and I couldn’t lift my leg at all, walking was painful too (more so than usual). Any effort brought me to tears. It got so bad that I called my GP out and he prescribed co-codamol.
    The pain has gone now, but I still get a twinge every now and then. So maybe this is the kind of thing that’s happened to your son. Hope so.
    My thoughts are with you both.

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Absolutely, quite possibly. Especially as he’s still growing.
      Definitely good to get everything checked out and get a clean bill of health, particularly with regards to MS. I think it’s really hard for kids of people with MS, as they always think, what if I get it? What’s my chances? I know I did as I was growing up, as my dad had it. I just want him to go to Uni happy and all checked out 🙂
      x

  20. Julie Walsh says:

    Awe just read this what a worry. Hopefully it’s sports related. Hope it gets sorted soon with a good result. Hugs x

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thanks Julie!
      The Teenager has just left for the gym again – hopefully he will take it easy. X ray is on Thursday 🙁 We can’t seem to escape the hospital!
      X

  21. Donna says:

    It could be something really fixable like low sodium/potassium from sweating during exercise. My legs give way when my potassium is low. Thinking of you and hoping you get some answers soon x

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Thanks Donna!
      He was complaining about extreme tiredness again today but all A level students are tired ;-0 His last exam is on Friday, so hopefully his sleeping patterns will return to something closer to normal.
      I’m just so glad we’re now in the healthcare ‘system’ about this and it’ll be sorted 🙂
      X

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