I am seriously at my wit's end. I have now had 4 different doctors at one point of another say, "Has anyone ever talked to you about the possibility of MS?" However, I apparently never present MSy enough. Granted, I don't WANT to have MS, but I also am sick of these vague symptoms. Here is the nutshell. What do you all think?
15 years ago had a bad strep which resulted in migratory arthritis, sudden complex migraines daily and overall sickness. MRI showed "Possible lesion" (can't remember where). 6 month follow-up was clear. Dr. talked about possible MS and lumbar puncture but we decided that since steroids made me feel better with the arthritis and also wiped out the migraines, waiting and seeing sounded good.
During the time between then and now, have frequent weird little neuro things like brief numbness in an arm, tingling etc. double vision. But nothing too bad.
About 5 years ago had a numb knee. Dr. also mentioned MS, sent me to a neurologist where I had a normal exam. Decided to let it go and see what happened. Cleared up and moved on.
Well, on Thursday, I was driving to tennis and my right arm/hand was numb. I was on the phone and thought I was leaning funny or it was just a brief numbness that I just get. No big deal. It lasted through warmups and then was fine. During the night, my arm got so bad, it was painful and numb at the same time. Since I just started premarin, I was worried about stroke/clot, so I called the doctor. They made me go to the ER where they did every test known to man to rule out stroke. All was fine. Had some elevated or low blood levels (some I don't understand what they are) like slight anemia, calcium low, liver function a little off and then these tests abbreviated poly, poik, react. lymph all showng 1+ I don't know what those are. The MRI was fine for stroke but showed T2/FLAIR spotty patches deep and brifrontal but it did say not consistent with demyelenating disease (sp?). So, while the doctor brought up, yet again possible MS, the MRI showed the white matter lesions but not in the pattern usually seen I guess.
I have had so much gastro/constipation issues, cognitive function issues that are driving me nuts that I just chalked up to menopause maybe? I am 46Female and now not sure what it is. Numbness is still there and I am having visual disturbances as well. What do you all think? Thanks in advance.
Trish
This time, just the assigned neurologist from the hospital stay. She was the one who kept bringing up MS but then thought that the MRI showed it was probably ok. I don't know. I have more bloodwork still to come back as well as an appointment in 2 weeks with her. I did look up and see that there is an MS clinic at the med center in my town, so I might make an appointment there to review everything if this appointment doesn't go well. I kind of liked this doctor though. She seemed pretty thorough at least at first impression. I am so dizzy tonight; like I can't focus or hold a glance. Weird. Thanks for the reply.
I would suggest, then, that you go to the MS clinic and have the issue resolved once and for all. It could be something else, but the lingering problem and the re-visitation of symptoms indicates that you have an underlying condition that needs attention.
You can keep your neuro, but you need a diagnosis too. Go to the MS Clinic and get screened. You could have 1 of over 400 diseases; most are easily treated. Once you get your diagnosis, then you can continue to be sen by the neuro you like.
__________________
MS diagnosed since October 3, 1982
MS onset circa 1977
Proud to be MED FREE!
Eternally blessed and eternally optimistic!<><
Thanks so much. I truly do feel like there is something going on that is some sort of auto-immune thing. Have no idea if it's MS or not. I'm a little old for diagnosis now, but there is a part of me that thinks, "I've had this for at least 15 years." Also, if it is MS for me, then it wouldn't be really scary because I've been living just fine with it aside from annoyances etc. for a long time too. So, it wouldn't be a devastating diagnosis nor shocking.
But if it's not, that is probably more scary to me since something is going on. On day 5 of a numb arm with dizziness and it's making me crazy. My daughter just had her first baby yesterday and I am flying out to California in the morning. Rather freaked out with my current symptoms but what can you do. Thanks again.
