Re: Still waiting for Dx
Re: Still waiting for Dx
Posted by CCFMD/MRR on February 17, 1998 at 10:05:54:
In Reply to: Still waiting for Dx posted by Sheryl on February 07, 1998 at 12:19:59:
: I have been experiencing symptoms of some kind of disease for several years, however,
I still don't have a firm Dx. I am currently suffering from my second ON attack since
last September. I was treated with IV Steroids in November and improved somewhat
but, now I am experiencing the pain and blurred vision again, only this time it's worse.
My MRI was negative and my CSF showed inflammation. I also experience weakness and numbness
on my left side (foot, leg and arm). I have chronic pain mostly in my neck, shoulders, mid
and lower back, hips, knees and sometimes my legs feel like jelly. My shorterm memory is not
very good and I have difficulty finding words when I am conversing. Sometimes my speech is slurred.
I have recently developed muscle twitching or jerking and tremors which I now experience everyday.
I have a neurogenic bladder (I was just diagnosed with this 10 days ago) and I have started taking
ditropan. These are all my symptoms in a nut shell (There's more, but these are the most prominent)
My Neuro at Georgetown University in DC feels that I have some type of autoimmune disease, but feels
it's too soon to give a definite Dx. What more needs to happen? I have an appointment with her this
week to revisit the ON and have her check the tremors and muscle jerking. I was Dxed a few years ago
with FMS, but I feel it is a wastebasket diagnosis when doctors don't know what the problem is. Don't
get me wrong. I know FMS is real and it's very painful and debilitating, but I feel too many Drs use it
as a catch all DX. I feel My symptoms go way beyond FMS. I also have a positive ANA 1:640 with a nucleolar
pattern and a positive RF, 52. Rheumis do not feel I have lupus or RA. What's your take on what's wrong
with me? What would you tell a patient of yours who represented the same symptoms? Thanks for your help.
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Dear Sheryl,
Hello- the challenge is in coming up with a diagnosis over the internet- that is virtually impossible without seeing you. I can give you some advice regarding a possible diagnosis.
MS is possible even with a normal brain MRI- did you ever have a C spine MRI ? Ther is a type of MS that just involves that spine and the optic nerves sos that the brain MRI is always normal.
I would recommend seeing a specialist in MS as opposed to a general neurologist, they may have more experience with the variants of MS.
Good Luck!
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