Question Title: Anticardiolipin

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Lyme

Posted by CCF Neurology MD on February 12, 1998 at 11:50:46:

In Reply to: Anticardiolipin posted by Juanita Weber on February 10, 1998 at 11:06:53:

: I have presented with neurological symptoms for 10 years. My diagnoses have included: Conversion Disorder, possible MS, Lyme Disease, and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. In fact, I was seen by your own Dr. Richard Rudick and by Dr. J. D. Bartleson at the Mayo Clinic. After completing extensive psychotherapy with two psychiatrists, Conversion Disorder was ruled-out.
On three different occasions since 1990, I had high Anticardiolipin levels in my blood. However, my present neurologist, feels my symptoms suggest MS also. My ophthalmologist recently referred me to a neuroophthalmologist at WVU. He diagnosed me with Low Tension Glaucoma and reported scarring due to previous bouts of Optic Neuritis which he said caused the visual field loss I have.
Is there, possibly, a correlation between Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and MS? Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Juanita Weber(SISTERTWISTER@prodigy.net)

Dear Juanita,

There is no direct pathological correlation between MS and ACA syndrome that is known, however, there are a few cases in the literature where the disease symptoms mimicked each other (which sounds similar to your case). The patients they reported had symptoms of optic neuritis and myelopathy which eventually turned out to be ACA syndrome. There is also another report that looked at 25 patients with definate MS, however, on lab testing 2 of those patients had high ACA levels. This shows that high ACA levels may be nonspecific for one disease. Other additional test that may be helpful would include a lumbar puncture and evoked potentials. If you are interested in seeing a neurologist at CCF who specializes in MS (Dr. Rudick, Dr. Cohen) call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Ask for the neurology appointments secretary.

[Neurology Forum]      [Neurology Forum Archives]