Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Optic Neuritis
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Optic Neuritis
by kazzaz, Jul 04, 2004 12:00AM
Just wanted to ask does optic neuritis always show on the vep's? What are the chances of it showing up on the mri?
I have had many very disturbing symptoms which point towards ms and eye pain and visual disturbance being one of the latest.
Seeing neuro at the end of the month.
Also how common are breathing problems in ms as I have had breathing problems for a couple of years which were originally put down to asthma but after being on the strongest asthma meds and having no effect they said definitely not asthma. Have had pft's which show a restrictive breathing pattern. Also think the breathing problems may have started around the same time that I had a burning back pain (felt like my back was on fire?!). Sometimes feel like it's getting better only to be struck down again.
I'm getting quite desperate as back pain and breating probs are preventing me from getting adequate sleep.
Any help would be very much appreciated!! Thank you!
I have had many very disturbing symptoms which point towards ms and eye pain and visual disturbance being one of the latest.
Seeing neuro at the end of the month.
Also how common are breathing problems in ms as I have had breathing problems for a couple of years which were originally put down to asthma but after being on the strongest asthma meds and having no effect they said definitely not asthma. Have had pft's which show a restrictive breathing pattern. Also think the breathing problems may have started around the same time that I had a burning back pain (felt like my back was on fire?!). Sometimes feel like it's getting better only to be struck down again.
I'm getting quite desperate as back pain and breating probs are preventing me from getting adequate sleep.
Any help would be very much appreciated!! Thank you!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jul 11, 2004 12:00AM
Regarding MS, the visual evoked potentials should be positive if a patient has clinically documented optic neuritis. Optic neuritis may be seen on MRI, but the standard MRI of the brain does not focus on the optic nerves. Therefore, a special MRI of the eyes/optic nerves would be better at detecting an abnormality. Breathing problems and back pain would not be typical symptoms for MS.
I think the opinion from the neurologist is a good start. They will evaluate your history of the suspected optic neuritis, and arrange the appropriate testing. Second, they can evalaute your breathing and back complaints, and make sure it is not neurologic. There are some disorders which can affect either the muscle, junction between the muscle and the nerve, ot the nerves which serve the lungs. You have not stated your age or other diseases, but if you have diabetes, this could all be related to that condition. Good luck.
I think the opinion from the neurologist is a good start. They will evaluate your history of the suspected optic neuritis, and arrange the appropriate testing. Second, they can evalaute your breathing and back complaints, and make sure it is not neurologic. There are some disorders which can affect either the muscle, junction between the muscle and the nerve, ot the nerves which serve the lungs. You have not stated your age or other diseases, but if you have diabetes, this could all be related to that condition. Good luck.
Have had lupus blood tests and the antiphospholipid antibody test came back a low positive, also I have had multiple miscarriages and low platelets. Also ankle swelling, joint pain, mouth ulcers, bleeding when I clean teeth, etc. So I believe lupus could be a possibility but it still does not explain a lot of things.
I have experienced vertigo, unsteady gait, numbness and tingling, tn, and swallowing problems, slurred speech and extreme tiredness as well.
MS is a possibility, could the back pain and breathing problems be caused by transverse myelitis or ms hug (I've heard the ms hug can be severe enough for a person not to be able to take a proper breath).?