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Optic Neuritis, joint pain, fatigue: clear MRI, clear spinal, clear bloodwork

by skc04, Mar 20, 2006 12:00AM
Almost 4 years ago - I noticed blurred/dim vision in my right eye - after much testing, was told optic neuritis, then maybe optic neuroretinitis - has never improved - still the same after 4 years. Through the use of photography - the doctors say it is still ongoing as they can see changes in the optic nerve inflammation - leading them to believe it is some kind of underlying disease. In addition, I have had several other symptoms including joint pain, debilitating fatigue, headache, migraines, IBS, high blood pressure ( I am 28 years old and have taught fitness classes for 10 years - eat well and exercise alot and have never had a problem with blood pressure), dizziness and blurred vision after exercise that lasts about 10 min. and goes away, extremities like fingers and toes turning white when cold, and other random symptoms. I have had several MRI's, lumbar punctures, bloodwork, and almost every other test imaginable - all showing no signs of any disease. I find it difficult to get any answers - and these symptoms are starting to get in the way of work as well as my life - any information or ideas would be helpful - thank you!
Member Comments (14)

by Jenny Wren, Mar 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: skc04
Have you been tested for Lymes disease?  Optic Neuritis is sometimes caused from MS, but not sure what else if you had a clean MRI (which detects MS). Blurred vision after exercise can be caused by MS also.  From everything that I have seen on the net Lymes and MS mimick each other. But being that clean MRI and spinal, probably isn't MS.  Lymes can show on an MRI also.  Good Luck.

by skc04, Mar 21, 2006 12:00AM
yes - been tested for EVERYTHING ( lyme disease, cat scratch, std's, lupus, MS, cancer, diabetes...many others ) all bloodwork comes back negative for any signs of disease.

by adelaide, Apr 02, 2006 12:00AM
To: skc04
It still sounds like MS to me.  I wonder if an MS specialist (not all Neurologists are MS specialists) would be willing to take a look at your MRI pictures and consider your symptoms. There are treatments out there that slow the progression of the disease, so getting a diagnosis (if it is MS) is real important; by the way, spinal fluid may or may not be abnormal with MS.  It depends on whether you are having a flare up at the time they do the lumbar procedure.  Do you have any symptoms when you are over-heated but not exercising?  Like when you take a warm bath? Keep us posted.

by bobssis1, Apr 02, 2006 12:00AM
A week ago I started having problems seeing and within 4 days was having severe pain while movimg my eye and very bad headaches as well as decreased vision acuity and being able to see colors.  Everything was gray and dim.  Thurs I saw an eye dr who said I had optic neurits and recommendd I saw my neurologist because it could be a sign of ms.  Within 2 days I had bloodwork , an mri of the brain ans infusion therapy (3 days of intravenous steriods, actually tomorrow is my 3rd day)

I am seing the neurologist again on tues.  He said it could be a 40 % chance of me developing ms.  I also have had other symptoms bt they have always been something els IBS, gerd, carpal tunnel, etc. It is a possibility that these actually could be ms.  I waould find a neurologist and ask about the intravenous steriod treatment.  In a study it showed that it slowed doewn the chances od getting ms.  

Also I read about symptoms being worse after exercising and hot showers which is a sign of Utoffs syndrome.

Try and find a neurologist who is knowledgable on ms.



good luck

by tvcommericals, May 09, 2006 12:00AM
Last March I noticed that I was seeing different coloring out of my left eye, two days later I went to see my eye Doctor and he sent me directly to a specialist and a Neurologist.  Within the four days it took me to get into the Doctor's I had went completly blind in my left eye.  I was told that I had a serve case of optic Neuritis, and have had and still do have alot of pain behind that eye.  So I was started on intravenous steriod treatment,for seven days 1000mg's was pumped through me and I was never so sick in my life as I was those seven days and for two weeks after it.  I have had three MRI's of my brain and my spine, but it shows no leasions as of yet.  My eye started getting some vision back in it, but only to a certain degree I see objects and colors but can't make out what thety are.  My vision now is 20/2400 which is still legally blind in that eye.  I am really scared that I will never get my vision back and now I am starting to get pain in my right eye but my vision seems to be ok for now. The Doctor's say that I could delevop MS but they really do not know.

by LindyMc, May 14, 2006 12:00AM
Almost a year ago, I severly broke my right elbow and shattered my ulna bone. During the surgery, my othopedic surgeon put eight titanium screws in my elbow and a titanium plate covering my ulna bone. Since my surgery, I have developed severe Neuropathy in all my joints. It is chronic and I can hardly walk when I get up in the morning. Is there a chance, that I am allergic to titanium and if so, could this cause this kind of reaction? Before I broke my arm, I experienced neuropathy