What other diseases mimic MS? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

llcoolbeans1 · 01-26-2005, 07:31 AM

Everyone is always saying there are a million things that have the same symptoms as MS. Does anyone really know what those are aside from Lyme's disease? Not much of a chance that I have that! Just looking for that ray of hope that it is something minor for me. All my other symptoms are much much less today except the fatigue and some very minor twitching/vibrations. Yesterday I had 2 important meetings in which I was unable to contribute anything. One was about the future of the mental health program I run and I could not really put my thoughts around what was being said. Everyone else had lots of questions and ideas but I just sat there and smiled when they talked to me and kept repeating how exciting our new endeavors were. I am sure the big wigs were thinking "I can't believe she is in charge of this facility!"

Heddi · 01-26-2005, 04:17 PM

There are posts on the SUSAC Syndrome that someone wrote mimics MS.

kirafaye · 01-26-2005, 05:06 PM

I know of another two, one is prenacious Anemia which has somethign to do with ur B12 levels and can be helped with B12 injections, there are a couple of posts already with mroe info about it. OR Arnold Chiari Malformation like I have. Initially I was being tested for MS cause I had CLASSIC symtpoms alot fo stories I read shw alot of other people had possible MS diagnosis. Its a rare congenital disorder where the cerebellum has distended down through the gap in ur skull and is putting pressure on ur spinal chord and has pressure on itself. The only treatment is surgery if its considered to be creating enough trouble. The surgery is to remove portion of the skull and sometimes some parts of the spine and putting a dura patch on to make room for the cerebellum. It will onyl showe up in an MRI. I'm goign in for surgery for it tommorrow!!!! so hopefully I get a little respite!

tiresome · 01-27-2005, 09:44 AM

I think your question is a very good one and I for one would sure like to know the answer. Everything I have read about MS always starts with the old "have to have many tests done to rule out MS because so many disease mimic MS" I have yet to hear of more than two or three. Anemia, thyroid, B 12 levels, and copper levels.... oh wait that was four LOL. I go on the 4th to get results from blood work and MRI of spine. Doc wants to wait and see on these before ordering a spinal tap, which is all right with me as it sounds like it could be painful.
What I don't understand either is when a patient presents with several disturbing symptoms such as visual disturbances, numbness and tingling, walking problems, speach problems and many others (due to we all are different) why doctors aren't more agressive in finding out the source of the problem instead of this damn wait and see let's take it slow and do one test at a time until months down the road we feel crazy. I guess what I am saying is why can't they just order all the tests and then do the "wait and see"? If it was them feeling so awful do you think they would want to wait for months to have the proper tests done?
Well I guess I went off on a tangent, sorry but I just had to get that off my chest

thnkpos · 01-27-2005, 10:16 AM

but u are so right, im waiting 2 1/2 months to see a neuro, im wondering cripes how come so long....... i question everyone....... what my understanding is...... is ms is a long term (life long) degenerative disease, and im not in a major flare up...... so i guess i qualify to wait............ but my dr says id like it to b sooner so u dont get anohter hit, but if we have to wait i guess we have to wait............ "whatever"..... so there u have it......... a wait game...... i agree with ur' tangent.......

oh yeah......... 6 yrs ago i was tested for lymes when spots were noted on my brain scan, and now my dr says well u already had a lymes test no need to do that again..... he got mad when i said what makes u think in 6 yrs i didnt get bit by a tic............ lol .........oh well