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I have been having symptoms like dizziness, numbness in hands and feet (especially after I shower), stabbing joint pain, difficulty swallowing and extreme fatigue (to name a few). A month ago I was in the ER because I lost partial vision in my left eye. All of the tests came back normal. The doctor in the hospital suspected MS or Lupus. He suggested I see a neurologist and get an MRI. I did have an MRI in March of 2011 which showed 3 lesions in my brain, but they attributed them to my migraines. I had to quit my job because of the shooting pain my right arm and the fatigue. My primary care physician feels that it is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia because my neurological exam was normal. She called the neurologist that I go to for headaches and they decided I don't need a repeat MRI. I don't want to end up having MS, but I'm afraid that they are missing something. Am I being to aggressive to try to push for a repeat MRI? My doctor says that I need to stop looking for answers and accept my diagnosis.

Welcome to ThisIsMS. One option is to get a second opinion. Having another MRI doesn't seem too unreasonable especially since you're having new symptoms and considering the fact that it's been 21 months since your last MRI.


NHE

Please read all the links on this posting:

http://www.thisisms.com/forum/chronic-c ... 21272.html

The diagnois is not important. Find out what is causing your sympthoms. Check out the diet section on this site. Diet is the key to all healing. Take control of your health and get on a healthy diet.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into all of them. I just met with the NP at my Hl neurologists office and she is concerned that it might be ms so she ordered the mri of the neck and c spine. She said I already had abnormalities before so my new symptoms are concerning. I just want to be able to make sure that something serious isn't overlooked.

here are some ideas for things to test, with plenty of detailed information. relevant regardless of diagnosis..

http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... tml#p15460

for pain and fatigue, maybe ask them to check vit d3, magnesium and zinc first. targets are provided at the link above (your results would likely come back 'normal' but research shows you can be normal and deficient at the same time, given the definition of 'normal' data)

Put steel wire wool in a plastic bag, then put that inside your pillow slip ontop of your pillow and sleep normally. Too complex to explain here. Its highly scientific but is the key to your better health. I have had secondary progressive MS for 29 years but since doing this 3 years ago the progression has stopped.
Best wishes.
Gristy.

i'm afraid here at tims you will definitely need to explain that one, complexity and all, with links to the relevant scientific studies, please and thanks!

My MRI came back with about 10 or so lesions, but they were "non-specific" so my doctor is attributing them to my migraines. He thinks that my migraine medication could be the source of all of my numbness and tingling, so he is taking me off of that. If that doesn't work, he ordered a nerve study to check for neuropathy. I am continuing to try to eat healthy and my doctor told me the more dark greens and melons that I can eat, the better. So that is what I am trying to do.

the dark greens will be good for magnesium
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... nt&dbid=75

not sure what the melon is for though!

which migraine med? i can look for potential nutrient depletion interactions so you know what you are dealing with specifically (if applicable)

I am on Topamax

REALLY detailed topamax side effects resource

http://www.rxlist.com/topamax-drug/side ... ctions.htm

here's a nutrient depletion blurb
http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/108 ... l#Dni-Supp
Biotin, Calcium, Folic acid, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin K