So confused

[Blm36]

I have a history of Svt, sciatica occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia and what I now understand was optic neuritis misdiagnosed as a migraine. Strangely enough it's all on my right side but tingling and electrical shocks can be anywhere at anytime. B12 is normal. Vitamin D is low. I recently had an MRI that only showed " few scattered T2 hyperintensities". Doc says it's nothing he'd worry about. I can go months and be perfectly fine then I can feel it come on.i can barely stay awake usually for a couple of weeks. This last time it was noticeable to my coworkers that I was having difficulty focusing and figuring things out. I'm usually above average intelligence. It cleared up after a couple of weeks only to return in 6 months. Should I get second opinion or just wait to see if anything else happens?

[Blm36]

Oh my symptoms started wit Svt in my early 20's. Followed by sciatica, then occipital then trigeminal now in my mid 30's . All of the neuralgias , fatigue and fogginess flare together. The Svt does its on thing when it feels like it. I do have trouble emptying my bladder but I also have 6 children so that could just be normal. I used to be very athletic but gradually stopped because Svt would flare up with exercise and even if it doesn't I'm not sure whether to throw up or pass out after just a few minutes. I really just want to fix it so I can live my life. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Panther123]

The advice I received, and which I think is good, was to make sure your MRI is being read by a Neurologist that is an MS specialist. Radiologists and other Neurologists do not have the same level of training.

Of course this assumes that you are worried about MS.

Who read your MRI?

[Blm36]

Radiologist read my MRI

[Panther123]

I have been told not to trust a radiologist with an MS diagnosis as they may not get the right answer. I would recommend seeing an MS specialist.

That is what I am doing, although frustrated that my appointment is not until October 26. Thinking about calling somewhere else to see if I can find an earlier appointment.

[lyndacarol]

I have a history of Svt, sciatica occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia and what I now understand was optic neuritis misdiagnosed as a migraine. Strangely enough it's all on my right side but tingling and electrical shocks can be anywhere at anytime. B12 is normal. Vitamin D is low. I recently had an MRI that only showed " few scattered T2 hyperintensities". Doc says it's nothing he'd worry about. I can go months and be perfectly fine then I can feel it come on.i can barely stay awake usually for a couple of weeks. This last time it was noticeable to my coworkers that I was having difficulty focusing and figuring things out. I'm usually above average intelligence. It cleared up after a couple of weeks only to return in 6 months. Should I get second opinion or just wait to see if anything else happens?

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Blm36.

Since you have shared many details of your situation and, in your second post, have said, "Any suggestions would be much appreciated," I assume that you are open to my questions.

You have said, "B12 is normal." I wonder how this was determined… which tests were done (homocysteine test? methylmalonic acid test? the outdated serum B12 test? the newer, more reliable HoloTranscobalamin test?) and what were the numerical results.

[Blm36]

The older serum B12. Level was over 600.

[lyndacarol]

The older serum B12. Level was over 600.

I urge you to read the book, Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally M. Pacholok, RN, BSN, and Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O. (This may be available at your library.).

On page 11, these authors state: “For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/mL.” http://b12awareness.org/could-it-be-b12 ... diagnoses/

The serum homocysteine test and the methylmalonic acid test (either the urinary or serum form) are used to verify the older "serum B12" results. (The Hcy and the MMA will be elevated if the B12 level is actually low.) The "serum B12" measures total B12 in the blood, of which 80-96% (or worst case: ALL) is on the wrong transporter molecule and is unable to reach the cells. The newer HoloTc test measures the B12 portion that can reach the cells.

By the way, if you were taking any vitamin B 12 or folic acid supplementation before testing, test results are unreliable and a B12 deficiency could possibly be masked.