MS with Type 1 Diabetes?

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MS with Type 1 Diabetes?

& How Do I Ask My Doctor?

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Onset Diabetes when I was 11 years old. Around the age of 22 I started developing symptoms of fatigue, vertigo, falling (a lot), extreme vision changes(blurry, floaters, bright flashes, brighter colors in left eye, and sensitivity to lights), muscle spasms, twitches and jerks. (I'd throw my pencil across a room), short term memory loss, numbness.

Oh and let me not forget the EXTREME pain. I am 36 now and been complaining to my doctors since 22...over 10 years now. Not a single one of them has ever even mentioned MS to me even though I seem to have all of the symptoms with an exception to the tremors.

I have been progressively getting worse over the years, even having to start using the scooters at the store just to run in for milk. One of my old doctors threw a fibromyalgia label on me and now everything revolves around that... I don't have the symptoms of it.

How do I ask my doctor to look into MS, without offending him? Plus, can a person with diabetes have MS too?

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MS with Type 1 Diabetes?

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Feb 09, 2012
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MS and Diabetes
by: Akrista

Hi Toni,

Seems as though you have many of the symptoms, people with MS complain about - vision problems, vertigo, balance problems (and falling), to name a few. The reason your doctor probably gave you a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is because a few of the symptoms overlap - including extreme pain.

Are any of your doctors neurologists? If not, you should try to get a referral to one. If you do have a neurologist, maybe you should try to get a second opinion for your fibro diagnosis. How to ask your doctor for one?

The only way I know to do is to just ask. Explain to him/her that you don't feel comfortable with the present diagnosis and would either like another doctor to check, or a referral to a neurologist.

You are the one that is sick. You are in pain. You have lived with this for years. You would at least like to have a thorough neurological exam to rule out the possibility of MS. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself and if you feel uncomfortable, have someone else do it.

Another option would be to email your concerns to the doctor if they have this system in place. We've used this on several occasions and it works very well. Many times you can explain yourself better in writing. And if you have problems typing, dictate your email to someone and have them type it down for you.

If they don't have an email system in place, try writing a letter.

The other part of your question, can MSers have diabetes? It has been my experience that people with MS can have more than one medical problem or condition at the same time. So the answer to that question is yes. I've even heard of MSers who had fibromyalgia.

Hopefully you will be able to find a doctor who will listen to your concerns and you will find out if you have MS once and for all. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Take care,

Akrista

Mar 21, 2012
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MS and Diabetes
by: Anonymous

I have MS and Diabetes(type 1) so yes it is possible. It is hard to find others with both but from my research it is possible. Type 1 diabetes since I was 9 years old MS since age of 33 I am now 37.

Apr 28, 2012
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MS and Type 1
by: winning lotto

Felt like I just won the lotto not only type 1 but throw some MS at me too! I just want to know how many others have both? I'd like to talk to someone in the same boat as myself.

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