no ms symtoms but demyelination - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

redjb7 · 08-30-2008, 05:46 PM

I have recently been through a bout of eye pains and headaches that lasted on and off in severity for three weeks. The last week my headaches have been mild if at all. I saw the eye docs, ent, etc and had those tests - all clear. My doc ordered an MRI when I was still having the headaches and it showed several demyelination patches scattered around (according to the doc when I asked her re location - she said scattered). We had already made an appt with a neurologist - which will be next Thurs. to see about the headaches. I have been looking on the internet quite a bit and it seems that the most likely candidate with demyelination is ms. Meanwhile my reg doc did get a sedimentation rate and a few other tests to make sure it is not something else. My doc said the neurologist might order a spinal tap - I am really scared of doing that. I am really quite depressed and scared about all of this and I am ready to just say forget it until, when, and if I have any more symtoms. I am a painter and I found the connection between lead poisoning and demyelination. Some of my paint is lead based, so I know I need to be more careful with what I use.

Could I have MS without recognizing symtoms - perhaps passing off a numb arm because I fell asleep on it,etc?

Any input or advice would be appreciated.

MSJayhawk · 08-30-2008, 08:52 PM

It sounds like you have everything lined-up. Please do not start second-guessing yourself. You have everything lined up. Be patient and get your tests. If you have MS, it is not the end of your life.

You could have MS, but there could be other reasons. Give us an update when you know.

Bearygood · 08-31-2008, 08:00 AM

Hi, red.

It's also not beyong the realm of possibilities that the neurologist will look at the films and disagree with the radiologist that the lesions are indicative of a demyelinating disease. (Although we don't know "the" answer about the headaches and demyelination, we do know that MS and migraine lesions CAN sometimes be hard to distinguish.) Make sure you find out what blood tests have been run besides the sed rate. Thursday is very close! Good luck on your appointment and please let us know what happens.

MSNik · 08-31-2008, 07:02 PM

Could I have MS without recognizing symtoms - perhaps passing off a numb arm because I fell asleep on it,etc?

Absolutely yes! I hate to say it, but when I woke up with a numb tingling hand and fingers 2 years ago, I was sure I slept on it funny.. a day later, people said 'maybe its carpal tunnel". when that was ruled out the doc thought pinched nerve....1 CT scan and 1 MRI later, they were swearing it was MS...a spinal tap and normal blood work convinced them that it was indeed MS. It took me under 2 weeks to get a dx....

2 years later, I have M.S. Looking back, i had dizzy spells, tripping episodes, heat sensitivity, especially after hot showers and other things that all pointed this direction which I was totally unaware of...

However, to this day, i have nunb tingling painful fingers and live with them. Drugs havent helped, although starting Rebif 2 years ago has helped with many other things....Im stable, grateful and have learned to live with my limitations.

Hope this goes well for you..please let us know.
Nikki

redjb7 · 09-05-2008, 08:48 AM

I went to the Neurologist yesterday - he is a specialist in MS - and was told that the techs who read the xrays were reading it incorrectly and that I do not have ms. My other doc had also run a few other tests re: inflammation ,etc for other diseases and they also had come out OK. The neurologist says I have migraines and is going to treat me for that.

Thank you all for being supportive - I could have worried myself sick if not for these boards and you kind people. I was able to relax because I knew if I did have it there was support out there and it would definitely be a livable condition.