Diagnosis ?????

[Sunsetjoe]

Is this enough symtoms for a 100% clinical diagnosis of MS? Optic nuritis, no vision loss, just a little blurry in the right eye and the presence of 3 brain lesions. This is the first MRI, so we r not sure when these lesions arrived!!! 2 mos ago, 10 yrs, 20 yrs!! Other than that, their are no other symptoms. Thx, I know the Diagnosis of MS is a tricky one. Can anyone shed some light on this.

[FLJhawk]

Did the doctor dx you with MS? I would think he would run more tests first before coming up with a dx that will have a negative impact in your insurance situation (maybe depending on how health care reform goes). Don't be in too big a hurry to get an MS dx, in other words! But, start on a good MS diet, take your Vit D, Zn, Mg, malic acid, etc.

[Sunsetjoe]

It's my wife, she awoke 2 months ago with some blurriness in her right eye. After 2 days she went to an eye doctor who couldn't find anything wrong ( 20/20) vision in both eyes, but she still had the blurriness, he referred her to a optic nueroligist. The optic nueroligist ran some field tests and diagnosed her with optic nuritis and then prescribed a MRI with dye injected. The results came back with 3 brain lesions. This was her 1st MRI, so we don't how long the lesions have been there. He graver her a 53%-58% chance of eventually getting MS. Very alarming to the both of us. We then won't to a MS specialist....he looked everything over, and said she had a 80% chance of getting MS, and should immediately get on med's. We did not like his urgency or inability to explain where he came up with 80% number, nor the begin med's immediately approach. We left there upset and disgusted. Then proceeded to general nueroligist (not A MS specialist). He felt that the situation should b monitored, 4-6 months have another MRI, since she had no other symptoms, he felt that this should b approached conservatively. This doctor made the most sense to us. We r not denial, we just want to understand how to deal with this. My wife is healthy, 38, exercises regularly, eats well, and is very active. Up til the optic nuritis, she's been as healthy as one could be. Lastly we saw another MS specialist in the same health system as the doctors approach who we liked. He diagnosed her with MS, just on the optic nuritis and the 3 lesions, he didn't even look at the lab work!!! I was very disgusted with him, especially because my wife got very upset. This is a life chnging diagnosis, it's not a sinus infection that these doctors are diagnosing, it's a lifelong disease!! We r currently taking a break from doctors and will get another MRI in the next couple months to monitor if any new lesions show up!!! We r staying "very positive"....thx Joe

[orion98665]

Your thread doesn't state if your wife had a lumbar puncture test.??? Assuming she didn't..??? This test will help
in dx ms.

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis ... spinal-tap

[Sunsetjoe]

No we haven't!!! Will That definitely give a yes or no???

[jimmylegs]

it's a pain, but there really is no definite yes or no.. the LP results can add a tick mark on the diagnostic checklist. they'll be comparing oligoclonal bands in CSF to those seen in serum and looking for a difference. if there are more in the CSF, it indicates chronic inflammation. unfortunately, that's about it in terms of additional certainty, or lack thereof. fortunately, you can take steps to combat systemic inflammation. lots of info out there on how to use inflammation factors (IF rating) to ensure a daily diet score well into the anti-inflammatory range.

PS if your wife goes for the test, please have a good read on strategies to manage LP without post-LP postural migraine. i didn't, and it was so bad i almost had to go for blood patch (fantastic, another needle - i don't think so!). others have no probs. it depends on the individual but my xp was very unpleasant. reading up and being careful after this test should result in good recovery.

[orion98665]

PS if your wife goes for the test, please have a good read on strategies to manage LP without post-LP postural migraine. i didn't, and it was so bad i almost had to go for blood patch (fantastic, another needle - i don't think so!). others have no probs. it depends on the individual but my xp was very unpleasant. reading up and being careful after this test should result in good recovery.

Very true jimmy... My wife had LP test with no problems. She felt that a breast exam was more discomforting. Everybody
is different. Anyhow, educate yourself as much as you can using this forum and the internet. Place all your questions that
you have on paper and question your neuro or health care provider.

Here is a internet search on other neurological disease that can mimic ms.

http://www.unitedspinal.org/msscene/200 ... sclerosis/