Beachlover... - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

curious11 · 08-27-2005, 11:38 AM

I read your post about CIDP and how it resembles MS in some ways. Because I am one of the MSers with no lesions found... I find your post very interesting. In my opnion having an LP and testing CSF is the only sure way to know what is going on. So I had made a list of what is usually present in MS patients as opposed to Devic's patients (what my neuro first thought I had.) Now after researching CIDP I feel like I should add another to my list. It says that CIDP will have a high level of protein in the CSF. Whereas in MS patients they look for the oligoclonal bands in the CSF. So I feel like I should sit down with my neuro at the next appt. and have him tell me what was present in my CSF that was high/ low/ abnormal. I am sure he knows what he is looking for but the more research I do, the more I see that the auto-immune diseases are so much alike. But they all need to be treated differently. Do you think I would be insulting him to ask why he doesnt think this could be CIDP, or Devics etc? Why he thinks it is MS? I would like to know how he ruled out other diseases, but I dont want to insult his intelligence. I trust what he says, but I think I need reassurance for my own peace of mind. Otherwise I will continue to research and confuse myself more.

beachlover247 · 08-27-2005, 09:35 PM

In my opionion, I think it's our right to ask questions. There is no dumb question and if a dr. ever acts insulted at my asking a ?, then he/she is fired on the spot. After all, it is our body, health, and life we're asking about...rightf? I feel like if a dr. seems insulted, then he is insecure about his knowledge in that area. Dr.s sometimes act like primadonas. My sis is an RN and has worked with a lot of egotistical jerks, but she's also worked with a lot of really nice, caring ones too. I would let my dr. know, up front, that I plan on asking and asking. They're not God you know, so ask away. Even God allows us to ask without being insulted! I just thought I would share what I heard about the disease just in case some of you were as clueless as me (and that's pretty clueless!). Take care. Sue

curious11 · 08-28-2005, 11:05 AM

well after doing more research I ruled out CIDP and I do remember my first Neuro mentioning it.... but ruling it out. I have abnormally brisk reflexes, whereas in CIDP the reflexes are less than normal. So if anyone was looking into CIDP as well.., that is a difference that usually is tested for in the neurological exam.

take care!