Im confused about MS - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

dje27 · 06-08-2005, 05:15 PM

Hello, I am new to this message board. Im hoping anyone can help me understand MS. I am 46 years old and saw a neurologist because I have left sided face numbness. Also experiencing involuntary muscle movements. He did an MRI which read: "In the flair images, there are multiple foci of increased signal at the gray-white matter junction and the periventricular white matter bilaterally. In the sagittal images, there is a suggestion of pericallosal lesion on the left which is not clearly seen on the flair simages. No other abnormalities. IMPRESSION: Periventricular white matter abnormality. Demyelinating disease cannot be excluded.....although...in a patient of this relatively young age." Ok, the neurologist then did an lumbar puncture, came back normal. I havent been feeling well in the last year or so. Tired, face numbness, skin hurts to touch sometimes. And legs feel tired. Doctor not ready to diagnose MS though. My vitamit B12 is very low so I am wondering if that has anything to do with all this. Can someone explain what all this means. Do I have MS or probable MS. Another MRI in a year will be done. Thank you so much, sorry for being so long.

KelliD · 06-08-2005, 08:08 PM

DJE27....I don't think any of us would be willing to "diagnose" you. Neurology is a gray science...diagnosis is made by process of elimination. Yes, as an MS-er, I have all those symptoms. They are also present in fibromyalgia and trigeminal neuraligia. Hang in there! And keep us updated on the message board so we can encourage you along the journey to diagnosis. Here's hoping it is something easily treated!

LaDeeDa · 06-10-2005, 06:18 AM

Hi DJE,

Vitamin B12 deficiency can present with some of the physical symptoms you describe: numbness, tingling, unsteady gait, fatigue, etc. Definitely try to follow up on it, if for no other reason than to at least eliminate this as a possible cause of your problems. If your sx persist after you've corrected the B12 issue, you'll know to pursue other causes.

Take care,
Dee

ms_jalien · 06-11-2005, 12:19 AM

Please get the B12 issue looked at. I was diagnosed a year ago with B12 deficiency and had similar problems to yours. The longer you leave it, the more risk you have of developing nerve damage. If you are deficient it isn't something that will go away on it's own and taking B12 orally will be of no use to you.

I still have issues 10 months on, but have been seeing a neurologist and am still in the process of testing etc.