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Please Help-no ideas ?
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MedHelp Member's Question

Please Help-no ideas ?

by LEG, Aug 19, 2003 12:00AM
I am a 25 year old female. Past medical history of slightly higher than normal blood pressure and I could stand to lose a few pounds.  However, I currently have pain in my legs and arms and face, back mostly left side, then it goes numb.  I have ear ringing, tremors, fatique, the periords started about 1 year ago, the symptoms are more frequent now and have varied somewhat over the last year.  I have had 2 MRI's, the first last Nov. showed 2 spots in the white matter .  I had a second MRI about a month ago which showed 3-4 spots in the white matter of my brain. I also had a lumbar puncture which dod not show anything.  I think these are some of the symptoms of MS.? What do you think? Is there a blood test out now-if that is what you think it might be? Can you have a normal Lumbar puncture and have MS? I am tired of feeling terrible most of the time!  My family Doctor said she didn't know what was wrong.  She sent me to a neurologist-He told me he thought I have a psychological problem.  I have had to reduce my work schedule,  when I get fatiqued it seems to trigger the periods to be more severe.  Please if you have any suggestions to what you think this might be, what I should do next?
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Aug 20, 2003 12:00AM
There is no specific blood test for MS. If a comprehensive evaluation of your CSF was performed (including routine analysis, measuring markers of inflammation, and anti-body production) most MS patients will have abnormalities (85-90% of patients). Unfortunately without seeing your MRI films it is not possible for me to say if the spots are typical for MS. Besides MS other connective tissue and inflammatory disorders such as lupus, rheumatism, and Lyme disease (to name a few) need to be ruled out.



Obtaining a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in MS would be reasonable. Typically these doctors can be found at academic centers. If you are in the area we have a wonderful MS center. Good luck.
Member Comments (9)

by Croz, Aug 21, 2003 12:00AM
To: LEG
Don't leg your psychologist neurologist get to you.  **** like that happens to many many people.  Many doctors have become frustrated under managed care, and they take it out on their patients.  It may take you a long time before you get some definitive answers; so be patient and diligent, but, most of all, be calm and enjoy life, as much as possible.  Time will give you some answers.

by jan, Aug 21, 2003 12:00AM
There is news of blood tests for MS.  I just read it in one of my email medical updates recently.  The blood tests are anti-MOG and anti_MBP.  You can do a search for more info. (My comp and has been damaged seemingly due to the recent blackout in NE. I am on hubby's so can't give you link to article or even tell what site it was).



I have recently read that many with MS have a normal spinal tap, that is why at this point I am not getting one (besides my neuro already diag me).  I am not sure why she still wants spinal.  My primary suggested it is best to get spinal tap when you are in a flare.



Here is a forum where you can connect with others who either have MS or are going the route for a diagnosis.



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FriendsWithMS/message/12889



I hope that helps.



P.S.  Many drs. jump to psych issues because they don't have an answer or they are lazy in attempting to find one.  I for one am glad that I have never had such a dr, but have heard about it often.

by lmroswell, Aug 21, 2003 12:00AM
To: LEG
I, too, have read (and still have) an article regarding this new blood test that researchers have developed.  According to the article, it tests for two anti-bodies (doesn't mention which ones) and found that those with these two anti-bodies are 76 times more likely to develop this tough-to-diagnose disorder.  I am sure if you do some searching, you'll be able to read up more on it and ask your doctor about it.  Good luck!

by Enhanced Lesions on White Matter, Aug 25, 2003 12:00AM
I am not sure if we are allowed to put url's here but if you go to www.mswatch.com, register or click on guest, go to articles or discussion group, people with MS and you will see all about the blood test. Its a great tool, the blood test, in my opinion for people that are experiencing symptoms or predisposed (children or siblings of MS patients) to get this blood test annually. This way they can keep track of possible increase in the levels.  There is nothing like getting on an MS therapy sooner rather than later. I am here to tell you I have benefited from an early diagnosis and early treatment. Good luck

by JohnnyTX, Aug 25, 2003 12:00AM
I'm not a doctor but your symptoms mimic CIDP which stands for 'Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy'.



Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a neurological disorder characterized by slowly progressive weakness and sensory dysfunction of the legs and arms. The disorder, which is sometimes called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy, is caused by damage to the myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves. The myelin sheath is the fatty covering—which acts as an insulator—on fibers in the nerves. Although it can occur at any age and in both genders, CIDP is more common in young adults, and in men more so than women. Symptoms include tingling or numbness (beginning in the toes and fingers), weakness of the arms and legs, aching pain in the muscles, loss of deep tendon reflexes (areflexia), fatigue, and abnormal sensations. CIDP is closely related to acute Guillain-Barré syndrome and it is considered the chronic counterpart of the acute disease.



Personally, I was diagnosed with GBS back in December of 2001 so I know all about CIDP, GBS and other variants. So Doc's what do y'all think? Are any of y'all familiar with CIDP or GBS? It's fairly rare but unfortunately seems to be growing in popularity these days.



Disclaimer: I am not trying to diagnose you. I am not a professional, just someone who had been inflicted in this area and I find myself to be very knowledgable in this area also. If you would like more information, please...let me know.



Johnny



by MinnieM, Aug 26, 2003 12:00AM
To: Johnny in Tx
Happy that you found a good doctor to diagnose you.  Unfortunately many docs do not think of this syndrome when patients seek help for GB type symptoms.   They do not ask them if they have recently suffered a virus of some sort which almost always precedes GB.  GB can also return later to the same person who has another virus.  Diagnosing the patient correctly the first time, makes it much easier to diagnose a relapse of GB.



How are you doing now?  Some patients can have residual effects for months/years after an initial attack if GB was severe.  



Good Luck to you.



Mouse in Texas too.

by JohnnyTX, Aug 26, 2003 12:00AM
To: Howdy MinnieM
Nice to see a another Texas on the board. This is my second day here.

Anyways, I'm **** fairly well. I got strep throat after Thanksgiving in 2001. I was pretty much over it when I got hit with GBS. I was 2 days away from taking the rest of my antibiotics. I went to take a shower and while I was in there, both my big toes felt numb. I woke up the next morning and my hands were very cold which is abnormal for me. The next night I woke up and stepped out of bed and pins and needles shot up both legs. Off the the ER I go just to be told that I had anxiety/depression. Huh?

The weekend comes and over the weekend I could hardly stand...I lost 15 pds. already, burning in my arms, numb toes and fingers etc. I go see my regualr doctor and again I'm diagnosed with anxiety/depression. I don't think so!lol Heck, I was 25 at the time with not too much to worry about.

The rest of the week goes on without me getting even one hour of sleep. I was in constant pain, tingling all over, could not walk, no feeling in throat, another 15 to 20 pds come off etc...my family knew something was wrong. I decided to check my reflexes in my knees for some odd reason and there were none. Now I'm off to a different ER and one that I'll never forget. He checked my reflexes, went and got the Neuro and they told me they suspected GBS. What the heck is that?lmao

I stayed in the hospital for 3 days so they could monitor me. Apparently I saw my worse days while laid up at my house. My breathing was fine and never wavered so they released me. I never recieved any treatmeants (plasmapherises etc...) so I'm lucky. Since then I have met alot of people on-line that have GBS/CIDP and they have suffered greatly. I somewhat feel guilty and lucky at the same time.

I still suffer a bit from some stuff that GBS left behind as do all people who have GBS. Tingling in feet, muscle twitching, hot sensations, fatigue and vertigo. No numbness at all what-so-ever. I do get migraines from time to time which is normal. Hopefully I will lose most of these symptoms but when your body takes a hit like mine did....good luck. I visit a few message boards like this and see alot of people who have symptoms of CIDP or GBS. All of them have been to neuro's or doctors and none of them mentions CIDP or GBS. I had to lose my reflexes to get diagnosed. Not all people who get CIDP or GBS lose there deep tendon