tooobuzi
02-14-2005, 07:24 PM
Looking for some guidance out there.
I have had MS symptoms for the past 9 months - constant dizziness, tingling in hands and feet, dark spots in my vision, shaking hands only when active, sever fatigue, short term memory problems, sensitivity to the heat, the list seems to go on and on. My neurologist sent me for a neurosychological test. That doctor told me that she strongly felt I had MS but that I will probably have a very difficult time getting the diagnosis. She was right. I went back to the neurologist and because my MRIs were clear he said there was no way I had MS. He is saying it is depression. I don't feel this is possible. I am not a depressed person. My family doesn't feel this is right either. Has anyone else been told it was depression to later find out it was actually MS?
I have had MS symptoms for the past 9 months - constant dizziness, tingling in hands and feet, dark spots in my vision, shaking hands only when active, sever fatigue, short term memory problems, sensitivity to the heat, the list seems to go on and on. My neurologist sent me for a neurosychological test. That doctor told me that she strongly felt I had MS but that I will probably have a very difficult time getting the diagnosis. She was right. I went back to the neurologist and because my MRIs were clear he said there was no way I had MS. He is saying it is depression. I don't feel this is possible. I am not a depressed person. My family doesn't feel this is right either. Has anyone else been told it was depression to later find out it was actually MS?
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Arraicha
02-15-2005, 11:21 AM
I really wonder what made him think of depression. Unless you feel depressed or have lost interest in most, if not all, things, it can't be depression.
A small percentage of people with MS do have clear MRIs, however, I don't think you have MS. With the amount, diversity and severity of the symptoms you have, your MRIs should show quite a few lesions in different areas. Also, having so many symptoms at once is quite unlikely for a first exacerbation. MS is progressive: in general cases, you get one symptom for a few weeks/months, it goes away, you get another, it goes away. You can get several symptoms at once, yes, but the amount that you described sounds very odd, especially for the first time.
There is progressive MS in which the symptoms don't go away, but I don't know much about it. I'm pretty sure, however, that they don't all appear at the same time.
Anyway, my suggestion is to see different neurologists until you can receive a proper diagnosis. Neurology is a complexe discipline and I find that different neurologists specialise in different disorders are tend to be rather incompetant outside their speciality. Also, a spinal tap and evoked potential test are crucial in order to make many diagnosises.
Good luck and I hope you can receive answers soon!
A small percentage of people with MS do have clear MRIs, however, I don't think you have MS. With the amount, diversity and severity of the symptoms you have, your MRIs should show quite a few lesions in different areas. Also, having so many symptoms at once is quite unlikely for a first exacerbation. MS is progressive: in general cases, you get one symptom for a few weeks/months, it goes away, you get another, it goes away. You can get several symptoms at once, yes, but the amount that you described sounds very odd, especially for the first time.
There is progressive MS in which the symptoms don't go away, but I don't know much about it. I'm pretty sure, however, that they don't all appear at the same time.
Anyway, my suggestion is to see different neurologists until you can receive a proper diagnosis. Neurology is a complexe discipline and I find that different neurologists specialise in different disorders are tend to be rather incompetant outside their speciality. Also, a spinal tap and evoked potential test are crucial in order to make many diagnosises.
Good luck and I hope you can receive answers soon!
sunshine149
02-15-2005, 01:05 PM
I had clear MRIs for two years with severe symptoms before ANY lesions showed up, it's way too soon to rule out ANYTHING, including MS.
tooobuzi
02-15-2005, 06:42 PM
I was wondering the same thing about the depression. I am not a depressed person - a bit stressed yes, but that is because I am a business owner - it comes with the territory.
Now recognising them, I have had mild symptoms for a few years. It was just last year that they seemed to have hit hard. First the confusion/memory problems, then the tingling, then the dizziness. Now it feels like they are here to stay.
Now recognising them, I have had mild symptoms for a few years. It was just last year that they seemed to have hit hard. First the confusion/memory problems, then the tingling, then the dizziness. Now it feels like they are here to stay.
tooobuzi
02-15-2005, 06:46 PM
Sunshine - did they just keep ordering test after test until they ruled everything else out? Did they only give you a DX after lesions showed up?
One doctor I saw told me it could take 5 years to get a dx.
One doctor I saw told me it could take 5 years to get a dx.
Arraicha
02-15-2005, 08:48 PM
Now recognising them, I have had mild symptoms for a few years. It was just last year that they seemed to have hit hard. First the confusion/memory problems, then the tingling, then the dizziness. Now it feels like they are here to stay.
In that case it sounds a bit more like MS.
How long it takes to diagnose MS depends on your MRIs, your test results and your symptoms. In my case, it took me two years. The first time I had symptoms, the MRIs and the spinal tap both were both positive, so I was diagnosed with probable MS. I had to wait until my next attack, two years later before I could receive a definite diagnosis.
There are criterias to fill in order to be diagnosed with MS and you have to wait until they are all filled before you can get a definite answer. It's frustrating, but it's important so that you don't get misdiagnosed and treated for the wrong disease.
In that case it sounds a bit more like MS.
How long it takes to diagnose MS depends on your MRIs, your test results and your symptoms. In my case, it took me two years. The first time I had symptoms, the MRIs and the spinal tap both were both positive, so I was diagnosed with probable MS. I had to wait until my next attack, two years later before I could receive a definite diagnosis.
There are criterias to fill in order to be diagnosed with MS and you have to wait until they are all filled before you can get a definite answer. It's frustrating, but it's important so that you don't get misdiagnosed and treated for the wrong disease.
sunshine149
02-16-2005, 11:39 AM
Actually, I was given an MS Probable dx right away, then when I showed lesions it was MS definite. I was lucky that the neurologist on call when I went into the hosptial was an MS specialist and I had a major flare-up with the classic symptoms. However, for years I had been going to the doctor complaining of fatigue and eye strain, eye weirdness etc. and they always sent me home, told me I was stressed out, depressed etc.
dadofthree
02-17-2005, 11:32 AM
Toobuzi - my wife is going through the exact same situation as you. She basically has been told by the nuero that she has MS, but with recurring CLEAR MRIS, she cannot be put on preventivie maintenance. Her doctor did give her medecine for her fatigue and depression, basically to treat the symptoms during this interum period. Has your doctor done that for you? I'd definitly push for medecine to at least treat your symptoms..
good luck!
good luck!
mousemau
02-18-2005, 05:18 AM
toobuzi and dadofthree..........i was told by my neuro ...after dx .....that they like you to have 2 episodes before putting you on meds.........my 1st one was my vision then a bout 6 months later i had a tingling in my mouth and nose ....they started me on the betasoren injections then and i have them every 2nd day which i do myself.......they are supposed to slow down the amount of episodes you have......good luck to you both ...i know the waiting is hard.....if you don't have luck with one doctor try another
tooobuzi
02-19-2005, 11:24 PM
dadofthree-
I have since gone back to my primary care doctor who has known me for about 10 years. When he found out what I had been going through he was determined to help me get some additional testing to either confirm the MS or find what is really going on. He is sending me to a doctor that specializes in dizziness. I am really hoping he will have some answers. More than getting the referal elsewhere for more testing, I was very relieved to find someone eager to help me find an answer. My neuro made me feel like I was nuts.
What are some of the symptoms your wife is having? My worst two are dizziness and fatique. I am litterally dizzy every minute of every day. Some times out of no where I totally lose all balance. Cant figure out whats up, down,sideways. It is very weird.
Thanks for your feed back.
I have since gone back to my primary care doctor who has known me for about 10 years. When he found out what I had been going through he was determined to help me get some additional testing to either confirm the MS or find what is really going on. He is sending me to a doctor that specializes in dizziness. I am really hoping he will have some answers. More than getting the referal elsewhere for more testing, I was very relieved to find someone eager to help me find an answer. My neuro made me feel like I was nuts.
What are some of the symptoms your wife is having? My worst two are dizziness and fatique. I am litterally dizzy every minute of every day. Some times out of no where I totally lose all balance. Cant figure out whats up, down,sideways. It is very weird.
Thanks for your feed back.