CrazyDogLady
06-10-2006, 10:16 PM
I have a question for you all that have been around for a while. I have some symptoms that have concerned me greatly, especially considering I have a family history of MS. I don't know a lot about the disease... Are there any definitive tests to diagnose MS? I recently had an episode that someone else described on these boards. I ended up in the ER with severe vertigo, vomiting, horrible balance and my bp was through the roof (not usual for me) I've had vertigo ever since... My question is - the bp - is that something that occurs with MS? Or is that something totally unrelated? I'm really hoping there's another way to explain whatever this is... Like I said, I know zip about MS. Anyone???? Thank you!
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lestoby
06-10-2006, 11:51 PM
Your trip to the ER sounds EXACTLY like mine. At the time, they kept saying "pain will do that to you", in relation to my extremely elevated BP (I am normally 120/80).
Long history of tests, recovery, yada yada yada, they found 2 lesions in my occipital lobe, but not enough clinical data to dx MS. But betwene me and my GP, it is probable MS.
I don't find too many people on this board who had an "attack" as you described (just like my attack), but 20/20 hindsight, I'm sure if you look back you will notice that there were "warning signs", that is if your dx turns out to be MS.
My signs were "bothersome vision" for 3 years prior and R leg calf pain for about 6 months prior to my "attack".
My initial dx (before they discovered the lesions) were food poisoning, kidney stones, positional vertigo, and suspected stroke.
Best wishes to you and I hope you have already started the battery of testing to determine what the heck happened.
Long history of tests, recovery, yada yada yada, they found 2 lesions in my occipital lobe, but not enough clinical data to dx MS. But betwene me and my GP, it is probable MS.
I don't find too many people on this board who had an "attack" as you described (just like my attack), but 20/20 hindsight, I'm sure if you look back you will notice that there were "warning signs", that is if your dx turns out to be MS.
My signs were "bothersome vision" for 3 years prior and R leg calf pain for about 6 months prior to my "attack".
My initial dx (before they discovered the lesions) were food poisoning, kidney stones, positional vertigo, and suspected stroke.
Best wishes to you and I hope you have already started the battery of testing to determine what the heck happened.
lestoby
06-10-2006, 11:56 PM
Oh.... I see you are asking about tests to prove MS.
They are MRI of brain and spine and a positive lumbar puncture. Also, if you have ever had optic neuritis this will also help clue the doctors in towards a dx of MS.
I am by no means an expert, but these are the most definitive tests available. You might want to google the words "McDonald Criteria" to see what needs to happen before a neuro will dx MS.
They are MRI of brain and spine and a positive lumbar puncture. Also, if you have ever had optic neuritis this will also help clue the doctors in towards a dx of MS.
I am by no means an expert, but these are the most definitive tests available. You might want to google the words "McDonald Criteria" to see what needs to happen before a neuro will dx MS.
CrazyDogLady
06-11-2006, 10:27 AM
Thank you for your info! I'm going to look up McDonald Criteria now. I've had episodes like this for several years, (but without the bp) and I've had the same diagnosis.... kidney stones, food poisoning - At least they found out my gallbladder was no good. But recently I've had a patch.... just a patch on the inside of my leg tingling. It's driving me crazy! And the other thing is, for the last couple of years, my eyes keep "jumping". While I'm trying to read or focus on something, like the t.v., they jump to the side and then back, real fast. I don't know what optical neuritis is, but I'm gonna look that up too. I have an appt. with a neuro on Friday, so we'll see what he says.
Do you know if having epilepsy puts you at higher risk for MS? (I have epilepsy) Thanks for your help.
Do you know if having epilepsy puts you at higher risk for MS? (I have epilepsy) Thanks for your help.
lestoby
06-11-2006, 01:25 PM
The jumpy eye or rapid eye movement is called Nystagmus and it too is a symptom of MS. Google this symptom and I believe one site actually has a video you can watch to see what the symptom looks like. I had double vision for 3 days after my attack and now I have intermittent blurriness, but it is not optic neuritis (ON). Doctors can only attribute my blurriness to the location of my leions in the occipital lobe, which is the part of the brain that controls the eyes.
Regarding epilepsy in relation to MS, I have never heard of a connection. It is interesting that you mentioned Epilepsy, as my dad (now deceased) developed what they call latent epilepsy, since he started to have gran mal sezures at the age of 40. Personally, I think my dad’s seizures were related to alcohol abuse. I don’t think epilepsy is hereditary. They claim MS is not hereditary, but if you have it then there is a greater chance that your sibling will get it too.
By the way, were you experiencing tremendous stress just before your attack?
Good luck with your neuro (amazing you got an appointment so quickly!) and do keep me posted as to your progress. Obviously, since your symptoms most match my symptoms I am very curious about your path to recovery or a dx.
I note that your sign name indicates you love dogs. How many do you have? I have two. Many people on this site have dogs, so maybe there is a connection of MS and dog ownership (Just kidding) :)
Regarding epilepsy in relation to MS, I have never heard of a connection. It is interesting that you mentioned Epilepsy, as my dad (now deceased) developed what they call latent epilepsy, since he started to have gran mal sezures at the age of 40. Personally, I think my dad’s seizures were related to alcohol abuse. I don’t think epilepsy is hereditary. They claim MS is not hereditary, but if you have it then there is a greater chance that your sibling will get it too.
By the way, were you experiencing tremendous stress just before your attack?
Good luck with your neuro (amazing you got an appointment so quickly!) and do keep me posted as to your progress. Obviously, since your symptoms most match my symptoms I am very curious about your path to recovery or a dx.
I note that your sign name indicates you love dogs. How many do you have? I have two. Many people on this site have dogs, so maybe there is a connection of MS and dog ownership (Just kidding) :)
CrazyDogLady
06-12-2006, 07:14 AM
Oh yeah.... this all started in the past three months. Three months ago I went from being a stay at home mom to working full time (with an 85 mile a day commute), getting seperated from my husband, which requried moving while working my new job and now i'm moving back in with my husband. Honestly I've been going out to my car on my lunch and taking a nap because I'm exhausted. I started thinking I have fibromyalgia or something because I feel so crappy the past few months. It's frustrating because I know I'm under a lot of stress, but I don't feel like I can handle as much as other people (well the epilepsy doesn't help either...) That reminds me of something else I have that's been going on that I don't know what's up with. For a while I've had "knots" in my back and neck. I'm seeing a chiro and going to PT (neither of which has helped) and they have no idea why I'm getting them. I thought maybe all the driving, cuz my neck really hurts... but I don't think that causes muscle spasms...
Anyway... I have a long coat chihuahua, Cocoa who is my house dog. He's my baby!! And I also have about 11 akitas. We show and breed akitas. And they are never allowed around my chihuahua!!! Or he'd be a chalupa! What kind of dogs do you have? I'll let you know what the doc says. Oh, btw - the dr. is a neuro that that specializes in neurophysiology - I'm not sure what that is, do you have any idea?
Anyway... I have a long coat chihuahua, Cocoa who is my house dog. He's my baby!! And I also have about 11 akitas. We show and breed akitas. And they are never allowed around my chihuahua!!! Or he'd be a chalupa! What kind of dogs do you have? I'll let you know what the doc says. Oh, btw - the dr. is a neuro that that specializes in neurophysiology - I'm not sure what that is, do you have any idea?
iluvsiamese
06-12-2006, 12:50 PM
Make sure when you see a neuro he orders both the spine and the brain MRI, some doctors just order up the brain, because that's the most common place for people to have plaques initially. I was an exception though... they did the brain and it showed nothing... after another bout of ON they ordered another MRI of the brain and spine... My spine was caked with lesions. They didnt' need any more tests, they dx me on the spot. My brain has since caught up plaque wise, but it's important that you have both MRI's done. I get MRI's every two years minimum so they can track the progression. They are the best tool for monitoring the MS. Spinals are painful, and even if your levels are elevated, they will blame it on something else if the MRI is normal. High BP will cause vertigo... so that may be a BP problem and not an MS problem, although it could also be a problem for MS. I have a lot of Vertigo and I have great BP. Working and Stress will also make MS go haywire. I went on disability two years ago, and it's by far the best thing I could have done. I have much fewer attacks.
lestoby
06-12-2006, 04:28 PM
Ha Ha…. I’m still laughing about the “chalupa” scenario. My little chow-mix mutt is named “Coco” too! My other dog “Bella” is a shorthaired Australian Shepard. Got them both from the pound and they are very entertaining to the point of being cartoonish they way the play together.
I’m sorry to hear about all of your stress. If you read other posts submitted by me, you will see that I was under a tremendous amount of stress prior to my attack. The night I had my attack, I actually verbalized that all of my stress was finally over and then WHAM in the middle of the night in my sleep I had an attack.
I am currently under a tremendous amount of stress again trying to fight a legal battle with one of my properties in Louisiana. There is a great deal of media coverage regarding our case and I am trying to fight City Hall at the same time.
I too have chronic neck pain, but I believe it is related to two car accidents I had between the ages of 16 and 21. I am now 43. My chiropractor suggested I use a tennis ball to lay on for wherever my pain is located. So, most frequently, I sleep with a tennis ball under my R neck. What is interesting is that all of my pain and lesions are on my R side. The occipital lobe of the brain is only a couple of centimeters from where I place my tennis ball at the base of my skull. Any correlation, I have no idea…. But I am not giving up my “chiropractic device” of my tennis ball.
However, my husband and I just invested in purchasing two massage chairs from Sharper Image. Oh my Goodness! They are magic and better than any masseuse out there. My husband said that if the chair could clean the house, then he would divorce me and marry the chair. I especially love the calf massager part of the footrest. Ahhhhh! The chairs are very expensive, but we are getting our doctors to write an Rx for the chairs as my husband has multiple disabilities and we can write them off at the end of the year on our taxes.
I’m sorry to hear about all of your stress. If you read other posts submitted by me, you will see that I was under a tremendous amount of stress prior to my attack. The night I had my attack, I actually verbalized that all of my stress was finally over and then WHAM in the middle of the night in my sleep I had an attack.
I am currently under a tremendous amount of stress again trying to fight a legal battle with one of my properties in Louisiana. There is a great deal of media coverage regarding our case and I am trying to fight City Hall at the same time.
I too have chronic neck pain, but I believe it is related to two car accidents I had between the ages of 16 and 21. I am now 43. My chiropractor suggested I use a tennis ball to lay on for wherever my pain is located. So, most frequently, I sleep with a tennis ball under my R neck. What is interesting is that all of my pain and lesions are on my R side. The occipital lobe of the brain is only a couple of centimeters from where I place my tennis ball at the base of my skull. Any correlation, I have no idea…. But I am not giving up my “chiropractic device” of my tennis ball.
However, my husband and I just invested in purchasing two massage chairs from Sharper Image. Oh my Goodness! They are magic and better than any masseuse out there. My husband said that if the chair could clean the house, then he would divorce me and marry the chair. I especially love the calf massager part of the footrest. Ahhhhh! The chairs are very expensive, but we are getting our doctors to write an Rx for the chairs as my husband has multiple disabilities and we can write them off at the end of the year on our taxes.
CrazyDogLady
06-12-2006, 08:10 PM
I'm sorry to hear you're going through the ringer stress wise..
I read iluvsiamese's post at work and decided to stop on my way home to check my bp. It's normal..... Last year I saw my neuro and she did a brain MRI (which came out clean) and ... I think it's a BAER test, which tests balance. (I had to put these silly goggles on and they blew in my ear) She said that it was normal - if I were in my 60's!!!! (I'm in my late 30's)
But she said she wasn't going to pursue the balance thing further, because I got my head knocked in a lot when I was a kid... Why she did the test in the first place is beyond me...
Anyway, how long does vertigo last! I'm taking dramamine every 6 hours or so and it makes me sleepy.
By the way lestoby - I think mutts from the pound are the best dogs around! I think they "know" what their fate may have been.... And love us all the more for it!
Iluvsiamese mentioned having an mri of the spine (you must have freaked out when you had yours done!) I just had an x-ray done a few weeks ago, would that have shown anything?
Thanks for all your info!!!
I read iluvsiamese's post at work and decided to stop on my way home to check my bp. It's normal..... Last year I saw my neuro and she did a brain MRI (which came out clean) and ... I think it's a BAER test, which tests balance. (I had to put these silly goggles on and they blew in my ear) She said that it was normal - if I were in my 60's!!!! (I'm in my late 30's)
But she said she wasn't going to pursue the balance thing further, because I got my head knocked in a lot when I was a kid... Why she did the test in the first place is beyond me...
Anyway, how long does vertigo last! I'm taking dramamine every 6 hours or so and it makes me sleepy.
By the way lestoby - I think mutts from the pound are the best dogs around! I think they "know" what their fate may have been.... And love us all the more for it!
Iluvsiamese mentioned having an mri of the spine (you must have freaked out when you had yours done!) I just had an x-ray done a few weeks ago, would that have shown anything?
Thanks for all your info!!!
lestoby
06-13-2006, 12:22 AM
Hi Crazy,
Here are the symptoms of my “attack”
BP 183/90 (something like that) – Elevated for 2 weeks (I was doing the Pharmacy machine check too at least once a week if I could get up).
Vomiting - 6 hours straight (no stopping)
Extreme lower back pain – 8-10 hours
Felt like fireworks were shooting off in my brain (lights flashing) – 5 minutes
No Fever / No Headache (just weird sensation in head)
Severe (and I do mean severe!) Vertigo (could not get up from the bathroom floor)
Unable to walk for 3 days – wall hugger for 4 weeks
Double Vision for 3 days
Could not hold my head up for 4 weeks
Finally able to sit up and eat my meals after 4 weeks
Able to drive after about 6 weeks (needed my husband to go with me) very scared
Overall, I am doing OK now. I have constant R Leg pain, occasional numbing of the R foot and toes (all on the anterior side), and intermittent blurry vision. My biggest problem is my eyes and my constant need to roll them upwards. Nobody understands why or can give me an answer. My vision did decrease by 2 steps in a matter of 3 months after my attack and my blind spots increased. I no longer have the extreme fatigue, but then again, I am only doing a fraction of the stuff I used to do. When dealing with stress now, I seem to develop R foot drop and start dragging my leg around and need to lie down and rest. So unlike the “old” me.
I did not have an MRI of the spine or an LP. I did have a CAT Scan, an MRI, an EEG, and blood tests. All of my residual symptoms remain the same. I have not developed any problems with my arm or my L side. I have had 2 opinions from neurologist and they both say, “I don’t think you have MS”. For now, I think I shall play the “wait and see” game.
In my CAT scan they also discovered that I have an osteoma (bony growth) in my Left frontal sinus. Ophthalmologist thought this might be causing my eye symptoms and sent me to an ENT. ENT was very concerned about the Osteoma and wants to monitor me every 6 months or so. The osteoma is in a position that cannot be extracted from going in through the nose and they would have to operate across my forehead (No Thanks!). I don’t see it popping out through my forehead, so I don’t think it is growing or doing me any harm as he did not indicate this is why my eyes roll up or get blurry vision in my R eye. This problem is a low priority in regards to my other symptoms, but I did let him treat me for my so-called sinus infection that was discovered in my MRI too.
How long ago did you have your attack and what are your residual symptoms? The doctor originally gave me meds to bring down my BP, but I honestly think they were making my BP be elevated, so I tossed them after a week and then my BP went back to normal.
Here are the symptoms of my “attack”
BP 183/90 (something like that) – Elevated for 2 weeks (I was doing the Pharmacy machine check too at least once a week if I could get up).
Vomiting - 6 hours straight (no stopping)
Extreme lower back pain – 8-10 hours
Felt like fireworks were shooting off in my brain (lights flashing) – 5 minutes
No Fever / No Headache (just weird sensation in head)
Severe (and I do mean severe!) Vertigo (could not get up from the bathroom floor)
Unable to walk for 3 days – wall hugger for 4 weeks
Double Vision for 3 days
Could not hold my head up for 4 weeks
Finally able to sit up and eat my meals after 4 weeks
Able to drive after about 6 weeks (needed my husband to go with me) very scared
Overall, I am doing OK now. I have constant R Leg pain, occasional numbing of the R foot and toes (all on the anterior side), and intermittent blurry vision. My biggest problem is my eyes and my constant need to roll them upwards. Nobody understands why or can give me an answer. My vision did decrease by 2 steps in a matter of 3 months after my attack and my blind spots increased. I no longer have the extreme fatigue, but then again, I am only doing a fraction of the stuff I used to do. When dealing with stress now, I seem to develop R foot drop and start dragging my leg around and need to lie down and rest. So unlike the “old” me.
I did not have an MRI of the spine or an LP. I did have a CAT Scan, an MRI, an EEG, and blood tests. All of my residual symptoms remain the same. I have not developed any problems with my arm or my L side. I have had 2 opinions from neurologist and they both say, “I don’t think you have MS”. For now, I think I shall play the “wait and see” game.
In my CAT scan they also discovered that I have an osteoma (bony growth) in my Left frontal sinus. Ophthalmologist thought this might be causing my eye symptoms and sent me to an ENT. ENT was very concerned about the Osteoma and wants to monitor me every 6 months or so. The osteoma is in a position that cannot be extracted from going in through the nose and they would have to operate across my forehead (No Thanks!). I don’t see it popping out through my forehead, so I don’t think it is growing or doing me any harm as he did not indicate this is why my eyes roll up or get blurry vision in my R eye. This problem is a low priority in regards to my other symptoms, but I did let him treat me for my so-called sinus infection that was discovered in my MRI too.
How long ago did you have your attack and what are your residual symptoms? The doctor originally gave me meds to bring down my BP, but I honestly think they were making my BP be elevated, so I tossed them after a week and then my BP went back to normal.
CrazyDogLady
06-13-2006, 07:52 AM
Wow!!! That sounds really intense! Mine wasn't that severe. Brace yourself, this is gonna be a long one! It started out that I thought I had the flu. I was real achy and exhausted (I'd walk from the bedroom and by the time I got to the couch, I'd collapse on the couch becuse my body felt like a lead weight and I couldn't carry it anymore) I went to the doctor on a Friday (the 9th) and they were hesitant to let me leave the office because my bp was up around the same as yours 185 over 105 - around there. But they gave me some verapamil and some antibiotics, cuz they said it looked like I had........... a sinus infection! That night I started getting room spins (I thought I was having a seizure and I did on the way to the hospital - which triggered my reflux which was really painful, because my esophogus goes into spasms) Anyway, the vertigo continued and I was throwing up. I told my husband to take me to the hospital cuz I couldn't deal with the vertigo. When I got there - my bp was still up. They took x-rays of my abdomen and a cat scan - thinking I had kidney stones. I've had several of these episodes over the years, but none that have had the vertigo like this and last. I had a mild episode like this about three months ago... and that's when I started noticing the other things. The thing that made me start thinking MS was I noticed I've been a lot clumsier than usual - tripping over things a lot, but I noticed my hands are what I seem to be injuring. I was trying to figure out why, as I pulled my microwave dinner out of the nuker and stuck my finger in the middle, trying to figure out if it's hot or not and, as usual I had to leave it there a minute before I could decide if the sensation was hot or cold........ then I realized I can't tell the difference between hot and cold until it's too late. I've been to the ER a couple of times in the past three months because I put my hand on a burner, not knowing it was hot and I cut my hand without realizing it and had to get butterflies. After that, I began to notice that it seemed like just weird neuro things - like my funky eyes and the tingling leg. Maybe I'm just being a paranoid hypochondriac - but I think there's something going on with me. So I made the appt. with the neuro and I'll let him figure it out... So my symptoms have more or less been off and on, here and there, not all at once and really intense like yours. You must have been scared as hell! Right now I still have the tingling, the eyes and the vertigo (with the nausea) - as usual, my neck is killing me. I'm still dog tired too, but not like I was a couple of weeks ago. Wow, this was a long post! Does any of this sound familiar to you?
I gotta get to work and try to stay dry - Central Florida's supposed to get drenched today!
I gotta get to work and try to stay dry - Central Florida's supposed to get drenched today!
CrazyDogLady
06-13-2006, 09:05 PM
Oops! Sorry - I didn't have my "episode" on the 9th - it was the 2nd. Well, I know that I can't tolerate the heat! I always feel more warm than everyone and the heat (even moderate) makes me nauseated. I keep the a/c at 74. Yeah, I get migraines. They are nasty! I get light sensitivity and it feels like someone is stabbing me in the eye with an ice pick! They usually get worse around "that time of the month". The doctor gave me Relpax which helps a lot. I've gotta go lie down. I had to get a tooth pulled today and it didn't go well. The root broke at the jaw bone, so he drilled the jaw bone until the root was exposed. I've got 4 stitches. I'm going to go enjoy some percocet! I'll look up those sites in the morning. Thanks!
moderator2
06-13-2006, 10:54 PM
Please read and follow the posting rules.
CrazyDogLady
06-17-2006, 06:26 PM
Hi Lestobi! I went to the neuro.... He didn't seem interested at all. He increased my seizure meds and ordered another EEG.
He did the reflexes test and for whatever reason, my left foot didn't react much, so he had me do all the balance tests again and that was it. He said that people with migraines tend to also have balance problems and he ordered some blood work to look for vitamin deficiency and thyroid and he'll see me back in three months. I guess that's good news. How are you feeling?
He did the reflexes test and for whatever reason, my left foot didn't react much, so he had me do all the balance tests again and that was it. He said that people with migraines tend to also have balance problems and he ordered some blood work to look for vitamin deficiency and thyroid and he'll see me back in three months. I guess that's good news. How are you feeling?
Tabby111
06-18-2006, 12:49 PM
Hi CrazyDogLady. You mentioned a couple of times you have neck pain and muscle spasms. In the past, I've had severe neck pain accompanied by nausea and muscle spasms and twitching. I've found relief by stretching my spine. Vertebrae joints get compressed especially by gravity when you're sitting (like when driving) and can constrict nerve signals and blood circulation to the outer extremeties. I've read that nerves branching from the neck area, when disturbed, affect the stomach and can produce nausea. And of course pain.
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Hi Lestoby. I enjoyed reading your post #8 and LOL about the chair and your husband. Good thing the chair doesn't clean house. :)
deleted
Hi Lestoby. I enjoyed reading your post #8 and LOL about the chair and your husband. Good thing the chair doesn't clean house. :)
moderator2
06-18-2006, 08:35 PM
Please read and follow the posting rules.