Hello, this is my first time here so forgive me if I am posting to the wrong board.
I am hoping someone can help me figure out if my suspicions for MS are accurate. My doctor is not much help as I seem to have to request tests. Until now no tests were done. So I requested an MRI.
now I am taking things Into my own hands, researching my own symptoms, and trying to guide my doctor towards which tests I need.
In January, I developed sudden onset of positional vertigo, which was quite severe and intense...resulting in nausea and vomiting. A month later I recovered. 4-5 weeks later my vertigo re-appeared. This time symptoms were larger: chronic fatigue, dizziness, occasional blurred vision, muscle weakness that awakens me in my sleep, leg and/or arm numbness. I have yet to feel any improvements. In fact, Tonight a burning sensation in my head has been with me all night. Not to mention very low energy level.
I had a regular MRI (very old machine) last week, and I'm not sure of the machine type or TESLA. I can say no dye was used and test was only 15 min. Radiologist saw 2 things: both of which he did not seem concerned. 1) he saw lots of dots which he referred to as freckles and said that's normal in aging people. 2) not surrounding brain, he said there was a metal artifact. He was just as surprised as I was, but said it had nothing to do with the brain as it was on the outer area. I still think that's odd, but I am less concerned here.
My concern are the "freckles". Is that the same as "lesions"? These freckles coupled with my symptoms seem to have me wondering about MS.
I have 2 young kids and I am a single mom and I am worried about my health. I would be so grateful if someone can shed some insight on MS and my symptoms.
Thank you.
Healthy 48yr Female concerned about Symptoms
- lyndacarol
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Re: Healthy 48yr Female concerned about Symptoms
Welcome to ThisIsMS, Alexee. You have found the right place.Alexee wrote:Hello, this is my first time here so forgive me if I am posting to the wrong board.
I am hoping someone can help me figure out if my suspicions for MS are accurate. My doctor is not much help as I seem to have to request tests. Until now no tests were done. So I requested an MRI.
now I am taking things Into my own hands, researching my own symptoms, and trying to guide my doctor towards which tests I need.
In January, I developed sudden onset of positional vertigo, which was quite severe and intense...resulting in nausea and vomiting. A month later I recovered. 4-5 weeks later my vertigo re-appeared. This time symptoms were larger: chronic fatigue, dizziness, occasional blurred vision, muscle weakness that awakens me in my sleep, leg and/or arm numbness. I have yet to feel any improvements. In fact, Tonight a burning sensation in my head has been with me all night. Not to mention very low energy level.
I had a regular MRI (very old machine) last week, and I'm not sure of the machine type or TESLA. I can say no dye was used and test was only 15 min. Radiologist saw 2 things: both of which he did not seem concerned. 1) he saw lots of dots which he referred to as freckles and said that's normal in aging people. 2) not surrounding brain, he said there was a metal artifact. He was just as surprised as I was, but said it had nothing to do with the brain as it was on the outer area. I still think that's odd, but I am less concerned here.
My concern are the "freckles". Is that the same as "lesions"? These freckles coupled with my symptoms seem to have me wondering about MS.
I have 2 young kids and I am a single mom and I am worried about my health. I would be so grateful if someone can shed some insight on MS and my symptoms.
I admire you for "researching your own symptoms," but I urge you to be very diplomatic about "guiding" your doctor in any particular direction – many doctors seem to have delicate egos… even today.
There are no definitive tests for MS. MS is a diagnosis of exclusion, made after more likely possibilities have been ruled out.
The initial symptom you report, positional vertigo with nausea, is not the usual first symptom we hear of in MS. With its January appearance, might it have been due to a virus… an inner ear infection? The current symptoms (fatigue, dizziness, vision disturbances, weakness, leg/arm numbness) are nonspecific and common to many conditions.
Numbness/tingling in the legs and arms is the definition of "peripheral neuropathy," a common symptom in many conditions. In investigating the cause of peripheral neuropathy, the University of Chicago suggests the following (Since you do not have the MS diagnosis yet, you might discuss this game plan with your doctor.):
http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchic ... #bloodtest\
Starting with the first entry… Rather than the outdated, inaccurate "serum B12," I hope the newer, more reliable HoloTc is an option for you (This is not yet available everywhere.) If the "serum B12" s will be used, the results should be confirmed by a serum homocysteine test and a serum (or urinary) methylmalonic acid test.(By the way, get your own copies of any test results – it is important to have the actual numbers.)Blood tests
Blood tests are commonly employed to check for vitamin deficiencies, toxic elements and evidence of an abnormal immune response.
Depending on your individual situation, your doctor may request certain laboratory tests to identify potentially treatable causes for neuropathy. These include tests for:
Vitamin B12 and folate levels
Thyroid, liver and kidney functions
Vasculitis evaluation
Oral glucose tolerance test
Antibodies to nerve components (e.g., anti-MAG antibody)
Antibodies related to celiac disease
Lyme disease
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C and B
I have never heard your radiologist's term of "freckles." He must have surely used more professional language in his written report to your doctor! If these are lesions, be aware that lesions appear with many conditions.
In your situation (single mom with two young kids), you are wise to recognize that your symptoms are not normal and to seek answers; but… take a deep breath… there are many steps to take before you worry about the worst. We wish you all the best; please let us know how it goes.
Re: Healthy 48yr Female concerned about Symptoms
Hello and thank you very very much for such a detailed and informative response.
Your feedback will help guide me in my investigation of "whats going on". I thank you for supporting my investigative research as I agree, we must become advocates of our own health.
You are right that I must take extra caution on how I approach my GP with my suspicions. That said, you are also right that appropriate tests should be done to rule out possible causes for my symptoms.
In reference to the Radiologists, he has not yet sent his report to my Doctor but he wanted to explain what he saw to me in terms that I would understand which is why he described the dots as freckles. I am sure there is a proper medical term, possibly lesions but I will wait to see his full report before labelling it prematurely.
I will keep you posted of my findings following test results and will look into getting blood tests you suggested. I don't know your name, but wanted to express my deepest thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.
Alexee
Your feedback will help guide me in my investigation of "whats going on". I thank you for supporting my investigative research as I agree, we must become advocates of our own health.
You are right that I must take extra caution on how I approach my GP with my suspicions. That said, you are also right that appropriate tests should be done to rule out possible causes for my symptoms.
In reference to the Radiologists, he has not yet sent his report to my Doctor but he wanted to explain what he saw to me in terms that I would understand which is why he described the dots as freckles. I am sure there is a proper medical term, possibly lesions but I will wait to see his full report before labelling it prematurely.
I will keep you posted of my findings following test results and will look into getting blood tests you suggested. I don't know your name, but wanted to express my deepest thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.
Alexee
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