This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello

Can anyone tell me how they were initially diagnosed with ms, what were the symptoms?

I have been suffering with dizziness for about 2 weeks now. I thought it would be an ear infection but the doctor said it wasn't and did some blood tests which all came back normal. Would anything show up in blood tests?

I have no other symptoms other than dizzyness and a 'fuzzy head' The dizzyness is usually worse when I get up from lying down.

Thanks for any info.

My symptoms were numbness, tingling, buzzing and a burning sensation.

MS can't be diagnosed by blood tests; the blood tests are used to rule out other causes for symptoms (i.e. certain infections, low vitamin B levels, etc).
The diagnosis of MS is usually made with some combination of symptoms, clinical exam, MRI and spinal tap.

How did your doctor rule out an ear infection? A few years ago, I had a bout of nausea; not really dizziness, more like a seasick feeling. The doctor told me it was benign positional vertigo (BPV), probably caused by a virus. He prescribed some Antivert, and it cleared up own its own in a few days. Though, in retrospect, this may have been my first sign of MS. No real way of knowing.

What you're describing could be BPV or some other inner ear condition, like Meniere's disease.

Thanks for reply. The doctor said what I was describing was not ear infection as he said usually sufferers say the room was spinning but it doesn't feel like that to me, its just my head dizzy. Over the two weeks I've had good days and bad days. On Saturday I had no symptoms but today I was dizzy again when I got up and had to sit back down for a minute for it to pass.

When its really bad it feels like a wave of dizzyness washing over my head.

.

Just like Lyon said...dizziness which is worse when standing up can be linked to low blood pressure and blood flow to the brain. Please don't worry about MS. That's a far away possibility. Get a complete physical and have your doc test your BP on a tilt bed for postural hypotension.
Here's some more info-
http://www.webmd.com/heart/understandin ... -treatment
Wishes for a healthy new year!
AC

_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

Doctor thought I was having a drop in blood pressure when I stood up but he checked it and all was ok. Dont know what is making me think MS its just a feeling I have.

Get a high resolution MR scan of your head and brain stem with gadolineum if you haven't had one yet. You are describing brain stem symptoms.

Anyone in your family have autoimmune problems? diabetes, lupus, Ms Rheumatoid arthritis....

No family history of any of that. Doc not back until 12th Jan so will have to wait until then to see what he plans to do next