murphy65
07-26-2004, 02:23 PM
I have been reading alot of posts on here and was reluctant to write because I know how difficult m s is to diagnose and alot of my problems could be several other things. Here is my problem. I have alot of pain in my hands and feet and a little swelling in my right hand. I had mri's and a emg? about 4 yrs ago when I was having alot of numbness in my face and I had about a 6inch area on my middle upper back that was completey numb. The mri's were normal and so was the emg or eeg I'm not sure what it was but I had to be asleep with a bunch of wires hooked to my head. I was also having alot of vertigo and balance problems. I kinda gave up on finding out the problem and just lived with the problems as they started getting better. Now they have started again but are worse. My father has rapid progressive MS and is in pretty bad shape. It took them about 5yrs to diagnose him and within another 5 yrs he can hardly walk and slurs his speach real bad. I know that early treatment helps alot and I am worried that it took them that long to figure out what his problem was and by the time they figured it out it was too late to help him. The main question I have is I've read so many dr.s saying that ms patients do not have much pain but I have watched my dad in pain for years. I am wondering if these problems I am having now could be ms related. I guess you have more of a chance of developing ms when a close family member has it. There has got to be a reason for my problems and I don't think I have it just because my dad has it but I don't want to find out too late like he did either. In my experience with dr.s nowadays if you don't go in with a freaking horn growing out of your head then there is nothing wrong and you are just stressed out and depressed. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. thanks
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Jewel2
07-26-2004, 02:46 PM
In my experience with dr.s nowadays if you don't go in with a freaking horn growing out of your head then there is nothing wrong and you are just stressed out and depressed.
Hi Murphy,
Very well said (unfortunately)!
I agree that with your symptoms and your family history you should be concerned about MS, although I'm not sure about the swelling in your hand. My daughter has a lot of pain with her MS. She takes neurontin to keep it bearable.
What type of pain do you have in your feet and hands? Are they ever discolored? The reason I ask is that there is another nervous system disorder (thought to be auto-immune in origin, but not certain) that causes pain and swelling. It's called Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy (RSD or CRPS). I suffer with that. Sometimes my symptoms are very similar to my daughter's MS symptoms. It's just a thought.
Hope you find some answers.
Take care,
Julie
Hi Murphy,
Very well said (unfortunately)!
I agree that with your symptoms and your family history you should be concerned about MS, although I'm not sure about the swelling in your hand. My daughter has a lot of pain with her MS. She takes neurontin to keep it bearable.
What type of pain do you have in your feet and hands? Are they ever discolored? The reason I ask is that there is another nervous system disorder (thought to be auto-immune in origin, but not certain) that causes pain and swelling. It's called Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy (RSD or CRPS). I suffer with that. Sometimes my symptoms are very similar to my daughter's MS symptoms. It's just a thought.
Hope you find some answers.
Take care,
Julie
Dessell
07-26-2004, 11:14 PM
Hi,
I agree with Julie and add if you feel something is'nt right with your body,,get checked!!I would go to a ms specialest and go thru the testing ,,better to find out early than later ,,prayers for your Dad.Good Luck,,Dessell
I agree with Julie and add if you feel something is'nt right with your body,,get checked!!I would go to a ms specialest and go thru the testing ,,better to find out early than later ,,prayers for your Dad.Good Luck,,Dessell
murphy65
07-27-2004, 12:53 AM
I have to have a nerve conduction test? tomorrow. Is there anything special I should ask for other than whatever the doctor ordered. Can they use this test to check for ms symptoms.
Jewel2
07-27-2004, 01:01 AM
Hi again. I may be incorrect, but I don't think a nerve conduction study does a whole lot to help diagnose MS. But it can be helpful to find out if a nerve is not functioning properly. I think with your symptoms it's not a bad idea to have one done. It will just become one piece of the puzzle that will hopefully get you closer to some answers.
Hang in there. Like Dessell said, you know your body best. If things aren't right, keep pressing for answers.
Take care,
Julie
Hang in there. Like Dessell said, you know your body best. If things aren't right, keep pressing for answers.
Take care,
Julie
HeatherJM
07-27-2004, 01:46 AM
Hi Murphy, I agree with all the advice offered here, but would like to add my own 2 cents. If you find you have come up against a wall, and it sounds like your pretty well there, and your MRI has shown nothing and the nerve test doesn't produce alot of info, maybe ask for a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). It's not excrutiating but can offer the answer, potentially. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she has to say. Hope you find your answer soon! :) Good luck!
californiasunflower
07-30-2004, 02:24 PM
I agree with everyone too! But want to add that an evoked potential test is another good tool used to dx MS.
murphy65
07-30-2004, 05:31 PM
I think I'm going to say the heck with all the tests and just have the do a spinal tap and check that for everything. Is a spinal tap a reliable diagnosis if it shows whatever it is for MS. Also I had the nerve test on my arms and have carpal tunnel again in my wrist and elbows and they want to do the surgery as soon as possible. They say I have nerve damage but I already new that.
HeatherJM
07-30-2004, 06:43 PM
Hey Murphy, sorry to hear about the carpal tunnel! As far as the lumbar puncture, I'm not too sure of how effective it is by itself, but I was told that in conjunction with the MRI, the combination are reliable. I know that with an L.P. they test for a certain enzyme that MS patients have. Keep in mind that I'm not a doctor, I just know what I'm told! ;) Good luck!
Jewel2
07-30-2004, 07:59 PM
Hey Murphy. I, too, am sorry about the carpal tunnel. When it rains, it pours.:(
I'm not a doctor either, but I've been taught the same as Heather regarding the LP. It might show evidence of MS, or it might not. Kind of like the MRI looking for lesions. Personally, I would just go for it and get it out of the way. Besides, it'll be a great excuse to be a couch potato for a day or two.
Best wishes,
Julie
I'm not a doctor either, but I've been taught the same as Heather regarding the LP. It might show evidence of MS, or it might not. Kind of like the MRI looking for lesions. Personally, I would just go for it and get it out of the way. Besides, it'll be a great excuse to be a couch potato for a day or two.
Best wishes,
Julie
murphy65
07-30-2004, 09:10 PM
thanks for the help.