u/Superb-Cicada-4430

Hello, is anyone here battling obesity and how does it impact your MS symptoms? I am currently 260lb at 5'7" and I am trying to lose weight because I know my weight is causing a lot of inflammation which I feel. I am in the middle of a flare too :( I also have Hashimotos, insulin issues (no diabetes) and very low iron which I was told also contributes to keeping the body "fat". I am feeling totally hopeless at this point, it's like my body is constantly punishing me even when I desperately try to do something better for it, like count calories or workout, it just causes more flaring of my previous symptoms. I am waiting to get on a DMT which should happen next month. Will this help or potentially make it worse given how much inflammation I already have due to my weight? Has anyone had any success with IF (fasting) for symptom relief?

Hello everyone, these forums have been my saving grace last few weeks as I've been getting my diagnosis. Without all your stories, I would have been in a deep depression. I wanted to briefly describe my diagnosis and see if anyone else had such a rough picture at the start and has managed to do well.

So I'm a 41yr old female and I've been feeling off for many years now, which I just pinpointed towards all my other issues which include Hashimoto's, metabolism issues, fibroids, high inflammation, allergies/skin issues and suspected ankylosing spondylitis. I also tested very low for vitamin D and iron. However, my symptoms have always been systemic and nonspecific, so like general fatigue, general aches and pains (like sore muscles which I also thought was from being non active), nothing severe nor life altering. So VERY easily to blame on something else because all my issues sort of overlap in terms of symptoms.

Years ago one of my eyes started to get blurry, and it happened in the summer so the heat definitely made it worse. It felt like I was on boat when walking and was looking through glass with my eye. Went to neurologist, had head MRI, they didn't order contrast and nothing was found even though then he suspected MS. However, since my CRP has always been high, he said it must have been something else. No treatment, nothing 😰

Fast forward to now, had my "first" full body severe symptom that prompted me to go to the hospital. My leg went numb and tingling but it was very short lasting and it caused my knee to buckle, however, it scared me enough because it was much more unusual than my regular "crappy general feeling". I thought I was having a stroke. There they did MRI's, much blood work and spinal tap.

Now here is where I get scared because I looked up my results and they all point to severe disease progression which I am still in shock with. My IgG index is like 1.60 or higher so lots of inflammatory activity in my spinal fluid, I have more than 20 bands, two old brain lesions right on the brain stem, and 3 lesions on my C and T spine. I did not receive any steroids because they determined I wasn't having symptoms anymore. They did all the other testing too to rule out other conditions and it was all negative, including other autoimmune conditions, etc.

I am waiting for the DMT appointment but I feel like this isn't real life. Combined with all my other issues, I am scared of even starting a DMT given my high inflammation. Also since I don't have crippling symptoms so I almost cannot believe that I am diagnosed with MS and with such bad results. My current symptoms are still non specific, stiff and tired legs (like overworked muscles), numbness in tailbone when pressing neck down to chest, stiff spine in general and low tolerance for extreme temperature changes. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have other autoimmune issues and are doing well? The list of DMT also feels overwhelming. I am thankful we have such a good community here. ❤️

PS- reading the newly diagnosed posts, seems like maybe everyone goes through this surreal "in shock" feeling. It's definitely otherworldly