Andicards
02-27-2007, 11:26 AM
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 13 years ago together with slipped disc and one ruptured disc in lower spine. Over the years every symptom I have had has been put down to Fibro. It was only when seeing a rheumatologist that my legs started to tremble so badly he took it seriously and did an MRI Scan. This states that is does not fulfil the criteria for MS but does not rule it out as there are more than 20 hyper intense lesions. This was done in November and I would not get to see a neurologist until about May so I paid privately and saw him yesterday. He is not an MS specialist though. I have so many symptoms that sound like MS that when I read up on it I thought at last there is a reason for my illness. Over the years I have had such bad trembling legs so bad I cannot stand up or walk even with two sticks. This year I have started to have the same tremor in my right arm but these attacks only last about 20 minutes. Whilst driving on Sunday I lost the vision in my right eye but this only last 60 seconds, but terrified me. I suffer from vertigo and have terrible eye jumping episodes. I have had spasms in my toes. I have trouble with my bladder as described in MS brochures. My memory is appalling I even forget how to finish my signature off. When tired I cannot count backwards from 10 before my brain has gone on to someother diversion. My sleep pattern is really bad. When in bed my legs and arms jump about at will. I have problems with my throat going into spasm for no apparent reason and I choke. I lose the thread of conversations and forget words mid sentance. I sound really gormless sometimes. It is very frustrating for my husband when I am trying to tell him something and it seems to take forever. I do believe I still have Fibromyalgia as my joints etc are so painful but I really do believe I also have MS (not that I want it of course!) but after seeing the neuro yesterday (who was very nice) he said that if he hadnt seen the MRI report he wouldnt diagnose MS as my symptoms although similar do not last long enough. Usually people with MS get symptoms and they last weeks if not months not minutes as mine do. He also said that many women over the age of 60 show up white lesions and they are nothing to worry about. He said though there in my case there was something going on and it warranted further investigation I am to have a Lumbar Puncture and also some electrical brain testing. I asked him what he thought would be the problem if the tests came back positive and he would not be drawn into a diagnostic wording. My husband came away thinking that he had said I had definitely not got MS. I am reluctant to go down that road at this stage as if I let my barrier down it would be sole destroying to be told later on that I have indeed got MS. Has anybody with MS got symptoms that only last minutes? Has anybody got any idea of any other brain disorder he could be looking for. I know I havent got Lymes Disease as the symptoms do not coincide with mine. Any comments would be very helpful. Andrea
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duttin
02-27-2007, 01:27 PM
Andrea,
Many here have traveled this road.
The only way to rule out MS is having the further testing done.
MS effects everyone differently.
Usually symptoms do tend to last longer,but some symptoms are just pesty and hit and leave.
If you are taking meds for your fibro,they can be keeping many of the MS symptoms at bay.
The earlier the diagnosis,the better the disease modifying meds help slowing done the progression.
MS is livable and manageable.
Many here have traveled this road.
The only way to rule out MS is having the further testing done.
MS effects everyone differently.
Usually symptoms do tend to last longer,but some symptoms are just pesty and hit and leave.
If you are taking meds for your fibro,they can be keeping many of the MS symptoms at bay.
The earlier the diagnosis,the better the disease modifying meds help slowing done the progression.
MS is livable and manageable.

