Someone Tell Me I'm Just Crazy??? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Dessell · 07-17-2004, 07:51 AM

Hey,,
I have had back probs for several years now,,Spondylosis,,Arturitis,,Bone Spurs,,Hern..Disc,,etc..,,My last MRI showed effacing of the Subarachnoid Space from a hard disc or spur,,my family doc is sending me to a new neuor dr. to test for MS.My probs just have'nt gone away,,the pain ,,have numbness in hand,tingles,pins and needles,stumble,,and like spasms,,I can't jump or get my feet off the floor?!!! I have researched all the symptoms,have them but I know they can be something also..Can anyone tell me what to expect in the testing to diagnose MS?Sometimes I think Im just crazy,,and these symptoms will go away,but after 2 years its still the same.Would like to know if being nervous makes anyones symptoms worse?Thanks Dessell

catbirdpondlady · 07-22-2004, 09:14 AM

Crazy would be much too easy!!! LOL
You obviously have many things to cope with.
At this point in time the only "positive" diagnosis for MS is the MRI of the brain. Enhanced or not, it seems to be THE TEST for this time. Many docs still do spinal taps looking for oligoclonal bands. This is not definitive, though. I have MS and have never had the bands in my spinal tap.
The doc should do a variety of other tests to rule out diseases other than MS since many things have the same symptoms as MS.
I wish you good fortune in the search for a diagnosis. Sometimes the journey is long. Keep us posted!
Penny

Jewel2 · 07-22-2004, 09:21 AM

Hi! I must have missed this post before. Penny has stated it pretty well. The diagnostic procedure for MS can be tricky and slow. Usually the first thing is MRI's with and without contrast. In the beginning stages of MS, the MRI's are more accurate during the actual exacerbation. The MRI's don't always pick up the small lesions early on. And the spine is long and most docs don't order films of the entire spine.

The LP is another tool that may or may not aid in getting a diagnosis. Blood tests can be done to rule our or confirm things such as low vitamin B levels or Lyme's disease.

In what part of your spine do you have the herniation and spurs?

You're not crazy - you're hurting. I feel for you.

Take care,
Julie

Dessell · 07-22-2004, 08:39 PM

Hi,Thanks for the info,,I first found out I had spurs in my lumbar region a few years ago from mri,,diagnosed with Spondylosis,,and a hern. disc and thought that was the end and it would heal.now its 3 years later,,its not getting better and for a year now my neck and the back of my head hurts constantly,,so I got another mri of the cervical and that when they found what is either a hard disc or spur efaccing the subarachnoid space,,.So I suppose they will do a mri of the brain,,hard telling what they will find in there,,lol,,I just can't seem to beat this fatique and my legs feel like they weigh a thousand pounds!!!I pray this nueor doc will know whatsup next week,,the not knowing whats wrong and feeling crazy is whats making me crazy!!lolYou guys are so nice to reply,,we are not alone!! Love and Prayers

catbirdpondlady · 07-23-2004, 06:32 AM

Be sure to let the doc know about all of your symptoms. I believe many of them are from your spinal problems, but that doesn't mean that there isn't anything they can do to help you. The fatigue might be secondary to dealing with all of the problems that you have. Taking short breaks during the day to lie down helps my fatigue a bit. It never really goes away, though. I am going to ask my neuro specialist for something to alleviate that as much as possible. I know that there are several meds on the market for both primary fatigue and secondary fatigue.
Sending good thoughts your way. Hang in there!
Penny