Ms? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Wallis86 · 03-03-2008, 08:32 PM

Hello. I'm 21 years old and I suffer from a conglomeration of autoimmune diseases including enteropathic arthritis and Ulcerative Colitis. I went to the rheumatologist last week and during his exam, he said I had 2 signs of neurological disease, a clonus and hyperactive reflexes. He is referring me to a neurologist hopefully this week. I'm worried from his preliminary suspicions that he thinks I have MS and I wanted some input from current MSers. Aside from my usual arthritis aches and pains, I have extreme fatigue requiring like 12 hours of sleep each night (which is unrestful) and a nap during the day, I have extremely cold legs (and nose?), and I get leg spasms when I am sitting or lying down. Additionally, I have extremely tense leg muscles which restrict my ability to straighten my legs despite having no abnormalities to the joints and surrounding tissues on MRI. I have an "abnormal gait" for someone with enteropathic arthritis according to the doctor, where I swing out my legs and shuffle. My lumbar spine also doesn't bend even though there appears to be no arthritic changes to anywhere except my hip after 10 years. I KNOW I suffer from uveitis, which is associated with both of my existing conditions, but the eye doctor suspected swelling of my optic ganglion the last time I was in because it was an atypical presentation of uveitis, hurting when I moved my eye, and the pupil was a little enlarged on one side. My eye pain is always in my right eye. I'm pretty clumsy at times, tripping myself on my crutches or nearly missing my wheelchair when I sit down, but I always associated it with stiffness from arthritis.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am a bit nervous about the outcome of the neuro appointment.

Also, when I was 11 I had a lumbar puncture that did not heal for 2.5 months, rendering me completely bedridden. I had 2 blood patches fail and only was able to sit up after having a fibrin patch. How important is an LP for accurate MS dx? I'm just a little scared of it for obvious reasons.

Thanks so much in advance!

MSJayhawk · 03-04-2008, 12:27 PM

Your angst regarding a LP is justified by your previous predicament. The LP was the last step my neurologist did. About 15% of MS patients will have a normal LP. My LP has been normal for 25 years.

Please note your concerns and your patient file with your neuro. There are other tests that can render a diagnosis. A MRI (with and without contrast), an Evoked Potential Test, etc.

In the meanwhile, please maintain a journal of symptoms. If you have pains, list a pain level between 1 and 10 (10 being worst). You can also note a walking ability with a similar scale. Your journal will allow your neurologist to gain a better insight into your body.