The Silent Storm: How Becky Lee's Overlooked Symptoms Became a Daily Battle

It started with symptoms that were easy to explain away. A tightness in her chest that felt like indigestion. Muscles that twitched and spasmed without warning. The occasional dizzy spell that came and went. And a strange sensation that her vision was subtly shaking, as though the world itself had begun to vibrate. For Becky Lee, then a fit and energetic 21-year-old, none of it seemed serious enough to dwell on. There was always a logical reason – a vitamin deficiency, perhaps, or stress, or simply one of those vague physical quirks that come and go in your twenties. And so she carried on, pushing the symptoms to the back of her mind. But over time, they didn't go away. They crept further into her daily life – affecting her balance, her strength, even her eyesight. Still, she told herself it was nothing. Because, as she now admits, part of her simply didn't want to know. A decade later, Becky, from Bristol, has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable neurological condition that affects around 150,000 in the UK. Today, with hindsight, she realises the warning signs were there all along.

Recalling those early, mysterious symptoms that began in 2015, Becky, now 32, a project manager, says: "I always had an explanation. I assumed the spasms were due to a vitamin deficiency. And the tightness in my chest was reflux or weight-related." That year, she sought medical advice and was told she was suffering from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a condition involving inflammation and damage to the central nervous system that often precedes MS. Although she was advised she could "continue living normally," doctors warned that it could develop into the disease. At the time, cases of MS in Britain were already rising. In 2019, around 130,000 were thought to be living with the condition. Today, that figure has climbed by more than 20,000. Experts say the rise in MS cases is largely driven by better diagnosis and people living longer with the condition – though growing evidence suggests environmental and lifestyle factors, from Vitamin D deficiency to viral infections, may also influence who develops the disease.

Lucy Taylor, chief executive of the MS Trust, has said: "These new figures highlight a problem we already knew existed. There are simply not enough neurologists and MS specialists to support people living with multiple sclerosis. Every day, our helpline hears from people living with MS, struggling to get access to the care they need. This is just not acceptable. We fully support the MS Society in their call for the Government to urgently address the shortage of neurologists and MS specialists in the UK."

Meanwhile, Becky's own symptoms continued to worsen in the years following her CIS diagnosis. She began experiencing persistent dizziness, problems with balance and weakness down her left side – along with ongoing visual disturbances that she struggled to make sense of. Becky was 21 when she began feeling tightness in her chest and experienced dizzy spells. She is now calling for greater awareness of the signs that can prove to be the onset of MS. "I remember looking at signs or something in the distance and feeling like it was always slightly shaking or vibrating," she says. "But my eye tests always came back normal, so I assumed it was something everyone experienced. I also had significant weakness on my left side. Over time, the muscle deteriorated more than normal. Looking back, these were early warning signs. I didn't realise they were connected."

Despite this, when she was offered an MRI scan five years after her initial symptoms began, she chose not to go ahead. "I was young and fearful of how a diagnosis could change my future," she says. "Living without a formal one felt easier than facing reality." According to the NHS, MS affects everyone differently, but common early symptoms include vision problems, fatigue, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms and balance issues – many of which Becky experienced. The condition can also cause bladder problems, memory difficulties and sexual issues, such as vaginal dryness or difficulty achieving an erection.

Experts warn that early detection is critical. "MS is a progressive disease," says Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a neurologist at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. "The longer symptoms go undiagnosed, the more damage can occur to the nervous system. Early intervention with disease-modifying therapies can significantly slow progression." Yet for many, like Becky, the journey from symptom to diagnosis is fraught with delays and missteps. "I wish I had known sooner," she says. "But I also wish the healthcare system had made it easier to get answers."

The MS Trust reports that wait times for specialist appointments have increased by 30% in the past five years, with some patients waiting over a year for a diagnosis. "This is a crisis," Taylor says. "People are suffering because of systemic failures. We need more funding, more specialists and better public awareness." For Becky, the message is clear: don't ignore the signs. "If I had known what was coming, I might have acted differently. But I hope my story helps others see the red flags before it's too late.

Sarah Rawlings, executive director of research and external affairs at the MS Society, emphasized the importance of recognizing early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) while acknowledging the challenges of distinguishing them from other conditions. "There's a wide range of early signs and symptoms of MS—including vision problems, fatigue, numbness, tingling, spasms, and balance issues—but many can also be symptoms of other conditions," she said. "If you're concerned you might have MS, it's important to speak to your GP, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve your long-term outlook. They'll be able to check for any other possible causes too." Rawlings added that while an MS diagnosis can be overwhelming, resources like the MS Society's free MS Help Hub provide critical support and information for those navigating the condition.

For Becky, a 34-year-old teacher from Manchester, the journey to diagnosis was anything but straightforward. She first noticed subtle changes in her body during her late 20s—persistent fatigue that left her exhausted after minimal exertion, occasional numbness in her hands, and a strange tingling sensation in her legs. "I thought it was just stress or lack of sleep," she recalled. "I told myself, 'It'll go away.'" Over the next few years, her symptoms fluctuated, sometimes worsening during cold weather or after long days at work. "It was like my body was playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek," she said.

Eventually, as her condition deteriorated, Becky underwent further tests. In February 2023, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)—the most common form of the disease, affecting approximately 85% of people who receive an MS diagnosis. RRMS is characterized by periods of relapse, during which symptoms flare up, followed by remissions where symptoms ease or disappear entirely. "It is difficult to know if an earlier diagnosis would've changed anything," Becky admitted. "It's invisible, from the outside, and I look completely fine. But, inside, I'm dealing with fatigue, weakness, and dizziness each day."

The first year after her diagnosis, Becky described as "terrifying." She struggled to reconcile her new reality with the active, energetic life she had built. "I had to relearn how to live," she said. "It's forced me to rethink everything—how I work, how I socialize, even how I sleep." Now receiving treatment with the neurologist-prescribed drug Kesimpta, which targets a key protein in the immune system to slow disease progression, Becky is learning to adapt. "I have to be more mindful of my energy levels and slow down more than I used to," she explained. "I also focus on managing fatigue to help with day-to-day symptoms."

Despite these challenges, Becky remains determined. "It's unpredictable, which can make the future seem uncertain at times," she said. "Lots of people with MS probably feel the same. For now, I try to focus on living my life as best as possible rather than worrying too much about what might happen." Her message to others is clear: "Don't ignore the subtle warning signs. If something feels off, don't brush it aside. Early intervention could make a difference."

Becky's story underscores a broader issue: the invisibility of MS and the risks of delaying medical attention. According to the MS Society, up to 70% of people with MS see a GP after experiencing symptoms for at least six months. "This delay can mean missed opportunities for early treatment," Rawlings noted. "We're urging people to trust their instincts. If something doesn't feel right, seek help."

For Becky, the road ahead remains uncertain, but she is no longer walking it alone. "I've found a community of people who understand what I'm going through," she said. "And I'm learning to redefine strength—not as the ability to push through pain, but as the courage to ask for help and keep moving forward.