Actually, I have 2:
1. Did any of you get a sudden onset of symptoms, or did everything happen really gradually over time? It seems mine have progressed pretty rapidly over the course of a week - from just feeling off-kilter with a headache to now having numbness, tingling and muscle fatigue/weakness.

2. Is there any treatment that the doc can start before you are actually diagnosed that will help with the symptoms?

My sx did seem to come on suddenly, triggered by what I characterize as an emotional melt-down. One REALLY HORRIBLE night, first sx the very next day, and they got much worse over the course of a couple of weeks.
If it turns out to be MS, there isn't necessarily a "treatment" that can be started pre-dx, but there is help for some symptoms. I started neurontin after my first neuro visit, for numbness, despite my neuro's belief that I did not have MS.

My symptoms came on suddenly - woke up in the middle of the night without any warning and started severe vomitting - long story short - discovered 2 lesions. With only 2 lesions, you cannot get dx.

20/20 hindsignt - Warning signs were severe burn in R calf for 6 months prior to attack and eye trouble for 3 years prior - I attributed these symptoms to "old age". :)

Baplap,

My symptoms hit me with a ton of bricks 7 years ago,they cotributed it to the stress of a back surgery.I had several symptoms including loss of vision in both eyes.Being young and frustrated I ignored the surgeons words of MS and further testing.I have numness,tingling and leg pain since 1993.16 months ago I was hit with a second severe round and the many symptoms have stated.They come and go,worse some days.My Neurologist would like to start a drug therapy,but insurance has denied.I only have 1 lesion and several dark spots suggest of old lesions.I just received EEG report used to rule out seizures it also can detect abnormal brain wave patterns due to lesions not picked up on mri's.The vision part detected abnormal areas,suggesting optical neuritis.Which still is not enough to meet the criteria of clinic diagnosis of MS.I'm waiting on the LP results.
Lestoby, I also experienced the severe burning in calfs,I contributed to the back surgery 7 years prior.
There are several meds thay can use for treating symptoms.I take zanaflex and baclofen for chronic muscle spasms,vicodin for the pain and have tried several anti-seizure meds for the nerve pain but allergic to what they had tried.
This is going to take some time to get a diagnosis,the ruling out of everything alse is a stressful process.Its frustrating,try to be patient and do lots of research.Be your own advocate.

Toni

Hi Toni,
when will you get results from your LP? (I get mine tomorrow after a month since the test). Also are you feeling better from the side effects of the test?

If your LP is positive for MS, will that be enough to meet the criteria? You have at least one lesion (possibly more), and evidence of ON. Those 3 together would be enough for diagnosis, wouldn't they?

wishing you some answers soon! :angel:

kelpie

P.S. Baplap,

Are you familiar with the criteria doctors need to use in order to make a diagnosis of MS? I think it's called McDonald Criteria :confused: not sure on the name though, you may want to do a search for that so you'll know what will be guiding your doctors' decisions. Also, your regular GP can order an MRI which would be good as then your neurologist would already have that available on your first visit. good luck!

Thanks for the input. I see the neuro today - I was able to get in because of good timing and someone else's cancellation. My GP did an MRI without contrast, but that came back normal. I understand that some lesions don't show up without contrast, so we'll see if the neuro orders another one. Good thing is that it's all done at this hospital, so the neuro has access to all my diagnostic imaging. Wish me luck!

Kelpie,
Thanks for asking.

I will get my results next wensday.
I am first going to the cleveland clinic on tuesday.I will be seeing a neuromuscular neurologist there,I need to find out how much damage has been from the Lumbar puncture.I want everyone to keep in mind this is an isolated case (scar tissue build up from 2 back surgeries)and I hold no anamosity towards the neurologist that done the LP.Nor would I want this to discorage anyone from having a LP.They beleive that the nerves are damaged in clustering groups instead of an isolated nerve.And the pain some moments is unbearable.I now have muscle spasms in the spine.It'll be a 3 hour ride both ways.I am hoping it's benifical.You'd think if the LP comes back abnormal they'd clinically diagnose it as MS.Its been a rough 16 months.

Baplap,
Hope all went well.
Keep us posted.

Typical neuro visit I guess. Doc asked me if I was concerned about anything and I told her that my GP thought it might be MS. Before she even did the exam she said, You do not have MS. :mad: Told me my neuro exam was normal even though she wasn't looking at me half the time. She feels it might be a systemic infection of some sort, even though I haven't been sick, or possibly a muscular disease. . . . I'm still not convinced. She did order a bunch of labs. I'll know the result of most of those tonight as I have access to the hospital database and am allowed to view my own results. Some they have to send out. She said the next step will be the spinal tap if I'm still experiencing symptoms and labs don't turn up anything. I see her again on the 13th.

Yeah, my neuro said that, too. But she ordered the MRI with and without contrast to rule OUT MS. My lesions were visible on the "without" views, but small and inconclusive. And I had no weakness, did fine on the "sharp/dull" tests, reflexes didn't seem bad. Fortunately she continued to work to prove I did NOT have MS,ended up proving that I do. So don't get too discouraged. If she is determined to prove she is right, she may end up proving she is wrong!

I woke up one morning with numbness in my left leg and arm. Over the next two weeks my symptoms came very quickly; having muscle spasms, pain, 24hr numbness, eye pain, trouble walking, etc. Despite not being dx with MS as of yet my doctor put me on Neutontin. It help tremendously with the pain and muscle spasms. I have been at this for a year and still haven't dx so be patient.

Kim

I was told that I didn't have MS too, I had a Virus, or Transverse Myelitis, at a family function in August of 04, I talked to a cousin, who was using a cane and she had TM, because I was in a relapse, but I had been told no MS, it sent me back to my neuro.

DX'd 12/04 my right arm is numb and probably will be for the rest of my life.
Also my mother has Lupus and my neuro said that it was not uncommon for another person in our family to get a immune disorder.

I have decided that I don't like sitting and watching the world go by. So I take exercise classes in the pool at the YMCA and I have energy to keep my house clean, and that makes me happy, and my hubby happy too :bouncing:

Getting a dx of MS, has given me the chance to see life and the world with a new set of eyes. I think the Zoloft helps with that too :rolleyes:

baplab keep us updated OK?

Steph