New member with symptom/diagnosis queries

[gardengal]

Hello All,

I have been visiting and reading MS forums over the last few months as I have been undergoing various tests and attending consultations to see if I might have MS. After the MRIs which show 15 lesions and a barrage of other neurophysiological examinations my neurologist has told me that although I do not have MS, that it is likely that I will go on to be diagnosed with it in the future.

It seems that although my brain MRI is suggestive of MS (thankfully my spinal MRI was clear) my symptoms do not quite tick the right boxes. Some of my symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue I have lived with every day for the last 3 and a half yrs. Over the last 8 months I have started to suffer with pins and needles, often very painful in my hands and arms, but as it does not last for 24hrs or more at a time with at least a 1 month break between occurences it all falls in to the "don't know" box for diagnosis.

I guess I am just searching for an opinion from those who know best if this really does sound like MS to any of you?

I am scheduled for a repeat of MRI in 6 months, and although LP has been mentioned several times, I have now been told that even with a positive LP I will still not be diagnosed with MS based on my symptoms...or lack thereof.

Would love to hear from anyone who has the time....many thanks

[ppicklee]

Welcome gardengirl! We most definitely have the time for you! I find it very telling that even though your MRI may show lesions "they" are not convinced you have "MS". It sounds like you have a very open-minded neurologist. That's good!!! Feel free to pepper us with any questions. We may not have the answers (all the time... ) but you should get a good balance. Try the CCSVI thread and post any questions there as well. Again, welcome!

[peppy]

Hi gardengal your symptoms sound so familiar to me.. I was diagnosed 3 years ago with MS and have always felt that if I would have started treatment sooner that I might have slowed it down sooner... I had the same symptoms as you for about a year having an increasingly difficult time walking then one morning I woke up with double vision and it freaked me out, I was given an mri at the emergency and the next day I was called in and informed I had MS... I said to them okay what do you have to fix it? and they said sorry but we can only hope to slow it down, had we known sooner you could have started treatment! I went from being a wildland firefighter one year to the next year limping with a cane!
My advise to you is to start taking vitamin D3 and get checked out by an MS doctor and begin treatment for what is surely on its way!good luck!
peppy

[pokiedottie]

My goodness Gardengal!
15 brain lesions! + your symptoms!! I am far from an MS expect as I have yet to be diagnosed myself. I am still going through testing.
But what you describe does sound like MS to me. Perhaps the very early beginnings. NO one consider it for me until I lost the sight in my left eye from Optic Neuritis. I had complained of having trouble walking and placing my left foot for some time. But my GP thought it was because of the 2 lumbar discs that blew(until the ON showed up) and my extremely low Vit D level.
Continue on your search. Get your next MRI. Good luck to you.

[MSBOB]

"multiple sclerosis" means lots of lesions.
I am no doctor, but I know enough about words to say you have MS.

[MSBOB]

"multiple sclerosis" means lots of lesions.
I am no doctor, but I know enough about words to say you have MS.

I thought about what I said. I think a neuro needs to tell you that. Apologies. I am a new.

[jimmylegs]

heya, have you already seen this?
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/di ... al/pvm.htm

Treatment:
-Control vascular risk factors -- especially labile (variable) hypertension
-Pyridoxine (vitamin) supplement
-Migraine prevention treatment -- especially "vascular" agents such as verapamil and beta-blockers
-Physical therapy -- especially fall counseling
-Adjustment of medications

FYI re vascular risk factors - optimize nutritional status
this big document pertains to hypertension but has a lot of great nutritional info
http://www.ana-jana.org/reprints/JANAHoustonSuppl.pdf
"macronutrient and micronutrient variations of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, potassium, magnesium and various vitamins and minerals contribute to the higher incidence of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases through a complex nutrient-gene interaction"

hope that helps

[Lyon]

..

[JazzKat]

About ten years ago I developed optic neuroitis in my right eye and lost vision for about 6 months. Two years after that I developed an issue swallowing. That came an went. A year or so after that I got pins and needles in my upper right leg that would come and go for no apparent reason. I went through a number of MRI's and tests and it wasn't until this year that a neurologist who specializes in MS finally said 'Yes, you have MS. The good news is that you've probably had it for a while and have functioned very well. Lets get you started on some meds..."

The entire time I was going through these things, doctors kept saying "ms" but no one would say "YES!" now that they have, I wonder how much I could have benefited from starting medication sooner and worry that things that I am currently experiencing are just going to get worse.

I would talk to the doctors if you are concerned. Make sure they understand how you are feeling. The last thing you ever want to hear is "if we had started this sooner..."