Woman who thought she had pinched nerve in leg at gym diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

A woman who thought she had a pinched nerve in her leg at the gym has described the moment she found out she actually had multiple sclerosis.

Kayla Moreno, 32, went to the gym five times a week, and described herself as having a “really healthy lifestyle” before her diagnosis.

So when she began experiencing extreme fatigue and tingling in her feet, she initially believed she was only suffering from some nerve damage in her legs from working out.

While waiting to see a specialist the tingling feeling began to spread upwards throughout her body, reaching her torso, and just days later she was left completely unable to walk.

Not knowing what was wrong with her, and with doctors telling her everything they needed to rule out, Kayla found the experience “very overwhelming”.

The previously 'healthy' young woman thought she was suffering from some nerve damage in her legs from working out (Kayla Moreno / SWNS)

But just two weeks later she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after a sudden decline in her mobility (Kayla Moreno / SWNS)

Two weeks after first feeling the "trapped nerve", Kayla was diagnosed with MS, leaving her unable to work.

Despite the seriousness of her condition, she says she was partly relieved to be given the news, as it ended the uncertainty.

Kayla, from Honolulu, Hawaii, said: “The diagnosis was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

“No-one knows my own body better than me - and sadly I could feel it deteriorating.

"I’m just thankful I’m living with MS now and not 20 years ago.

"There were hardly any treatment options back then.

Kayla is now living with MS and is hoping to raise awareness of the condition (Kayla Moreno / SWNS)

“This is lifelong - and sadly there is no cure. But I’m finding my symptoms a bit more manageable with my medications.”

Kayla is now taking stimulants to manage her extreme fatigue, and receives an infusion of Ocrevus every six months to slow the condition’s progression.

But she still feels "tired all the time" and is often too exhausted to do anything, sometimes having to spend the entire day sleeping and recuperating.

MS is sometimes referred to as a 'snowflake condition’, as its effects can vary widely in different people.

While some people experience vision problems or speech difficulties, for Kayla it presents as muscle weakness, and she can no longer get around without a walking aid or wheelchair.

With her platform on TikTok, Kayla is determined to make the rest of multiple sclerosis awareness month is “all about positivity”.

“If you’ve just been diagnosed, know your feelings are valid," she said.

"Whether you’re sad, or angry, it’s okay to feel that way.

“MS is life-changing and absolutely terrifying - but a positive attitude will get you a long way.

“I don’t let my MS stop me from living life to the fullest.”