This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello everyone, I'm Tina, I'm 38 years old and live in Indiana. I am posting because I've had some odd symptoms that have led me to lots of tests and even more questions!
I started out a few weeks ago with tingling and numbness on the right side of my body and severe fatigue. I went to a clinic where I was immediately sent to the ER (nurse thought is was a stroke, not the case) but they did blood work and a cat scan...all was fine. I was referred back to the clinic and had several tests done. I recieved an MRI, which the doc discussed some area of my brain and said it was due to smoking and put me on an asprin a day...yeah more pills! Oh, a little history...a few years ago I was was diagnosed with low potassium so I take a prescription supplement. Looking back now, a some of my symptoms from the low potassium could very well be linked to the new symptoms...but I'm rambling now. Ok, soo....I also had an echo, ultrasound of my carotid artery in my neck and more blood work. My ana level came back low and they want to retest that in a few weeks, whatever my ana level is! During this 2 week circus of tests, etc I continued to feel tingling and numbness on my right side that eventually traveled to other areas on my body. I've had my neck twitch (which is really weird btw), my right eye go blurry for just a few minutes, stabbing and sometimes shooting pains whenever and wherever they feel like it (which is really annoying not to mention painful), I feel like I've lost my mind because I can't hardly focus when I read and sometimes my eyes jump off of the words I am reading (although I've had an eye exam as well and everything is fine). I seriously feel like I'm going nuts! My boyfriend, who I live with, is incredibly supportive and understanding.
The clinic is scheduling an appointment with the neuro and I hope to have some answers. The doc there says that it could still possibly be MS which is why he is sending me. Is it possible to have a clean MRI (minus some "smokers damage") and still have MS?? What can I expect to encounter with the neuro?? What will my visit be like? Will I have to go over all this stuff with someone new AGAIN?
Any and all responses would be GREATLY appreciated as I am lost and feel like I'm drowning in a sea of information!

Hello? Is anyone out there?

Welcome, Tina, from a fellow Midwesterner – in central Illinois. Many of us are willing to answer your questions; we do not have definitive answers, but share our experiences and thoughts.

In my own experience, my first several MRIs were normal and my neurologist told me that I definitely did not have MS. He was wrong!

You stated that initially bloodwork was done on you. My suggestion for any new person here is always to start with a thorough examination, including blood tests for the levels of glucose, insulin, cortisol, the thyroid hormones. Ask for copies of all test results (blood tests, MRIs, etc.); keep your own file of these results.

My personal belief is that excess insulin is involved in MS; my own levels are always relatively elevated.

Undoubtedly, you will be asked to describe your symptoms over and over again – to nurses, to your neurologist, to any doctor you see. You may find it helpful to sit quietly at home and make a list of all your symptoms, past and present – keep one copy in your file; take another copy to your doctor's appointment (along with a page of questions you have thought of-- this is necessary for me; I never remember all the questions I want to ask).

The neurological examination in the office is not difficult.

You have found a community of caring people at this website. We wish you the best. We are glad to answer your questions if we can.