Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group How many have gotten MS from taking a TNF blocker?

My Dr. is trying to weed out what is given me all the symptoms I have. I looked up MS and I have some of the symptoms but not all of them. I see her on Fri. and will ask her some more questions. If you got MS after starting a TNF blocker, what were your symptoms and what should I ask the Dr.

I came down with MS after I had been on enbrel for about 7 months, and I keep the MS with me today. My symtoms were that I was dizzy all the time, and when I would try to run my feet did not work correctly. The problem with MS is that depending on where the MS is attacking the symtoms can be very different. To know for sure I think they need to do an MRI, and a lumbar puncture. Ask the doctor to see a neurologist.

If you want to rule out MS, you would definitely need the MS MRI package - scans of brain and cervical spinal cord, preferably with GAD dye enhancement, plus a neuro examination, so yes, ask to be referred to a neuro. Lumbar puncture isn't always a first step, but used where findings are equivocal. I'd personally hold off a LP as long as possible. As Steve says, symptoms can be highly varied.

Pea,
Have you asked Greg about his MS from Enbrel? You might want to message him.
I hope you are fine, take care.

I haven't heard from Greg or Steve. The other forum I'm on says you can only get MS symptoms but I know when my Dr. was discussing what things you could get with a TNF blocker included MS not MS symptoms.

Orch thank's for responding. I get tingling and numbness in my hands and fingers almost every morning and had the test for carpul tunnel ruled out as well as had an MRI to rule out a nerve impingement in my neck. So that leaves Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, MS and maybe some others I know nothing about. I have more fatigue, heavy sweating and pulse reaches 130-140 every day now plus many more symptoms. We have ruled out thyroid and adrenals too.

My appt. is tomorrow morning. No harm in asking!

Pea, could you be low on B1? (Thiamine) and have B1 deficiency?

Please check with your doctor and see if you can get your blood tested for B1 Deficiency. It is a dangerous condition if not treated which can lead to a 6 ft. under situation (d ** th).

When the vitamins are involved it is an entirely new ball game.

It could be combined with depression, another secret thief which masks the suffers ability to know they ARE depressed.

So even though I am not a doctor (still want to become one) those are my initial thoughts.

Think of you all the time and send you my uber highest health thoughts,

Angie

Hi Pea, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I too am experiencing sever tingling in hands and feet and legs. I'm terrified and going for my MRI'S next week. Lets help each other on here. If this is the case after ONE dose of Sympoi it's pretty awful. Finally i get diagnosed and then whamo...another diagnosis...please message me if you want to talk or need support.

Orch how are you dealing with the diet now? Have you made any revisions? I know we need a tone of antioxidants....

my best all ,

Kelly

I wish you all the best, Pea and msnutrigal.

I too was scared about MS even though I don't have symptoms. The only tingling I have is when I sleep on a limb or stay in the same position for too long, which is pretty common and I believe related to blood circulation.

I read lots of papers on the subject of TNF-induced MS and from what I've gathered it's pretty rare for someone with no family history to develop full blown MS that doesn't go away after discontinuation of the drug.

Not saying it can't happen. But it seems pretty rare.

msnutrigal: I have really not made changes to my diet at all. My neurologist does have me taking vitamin D supplements. Mostly I avoid potatoes, and try to just have whole grains. That seems to keep AS in check for me. I take shot of copaxone every day for the MS.

Wilhelm: The doctor told me that the MS should go away after the enbrel had cleared my system, but it did not. I don't have any family history of MS. Just my lucky draw I guess.