Is it MS or Stroke issue or something else???

[Jeff572]

Hello There.  My name is Jeff. I'll list my symptoms first to see if they make sense at all.  I've had "dizzy spells" for the past 3 years.  They have been getting progressively more often and have been really bad this year.  It's not so much a vertigo sensation, it's more that I just feel off balance all the time.  I'm very sensative to motion and sound due to the off balance feeling.  I also feel like my right foot gets really heavy sometimes and makes we walk funny.  I've been on anxiety medication for about 2 years now which strangely seems to help.  It's a .5 milligram dose of Lorazepam that I take whenever I need them.  I've been taking one a day for a few weeks straight now because the off balance feeling seems to make me very very anxious because I just feel really weird all the time.  I seem to have some trouble focusing or concentrating at work due to all of this.  A few more more things that you might find interesting is that I had a TIA when I was 17 yrs old (this was 11 yrs ago, I am now 28).  My mother also has MS that she has been dealing with for about 15 years now.  I am scheduled for an MRI this Wednesday, and I was just wondering whether either damage from the stroke, or MS are some things they may find on the MRI?  Does this sound at all likely?  Please let me know when you can!  Thanks so much for your help.  Jeff

[Jeff572]

Thank you crwstar.  I appreciate the support.  I'll post it on one of the other boards and see what I come up with.  You are fantastic for the support though!  Thanks so much.  Also yes, they did 3 MRI's and a plethora of other tests like ultrasounds of my heart and neck when I had the TIA at 17.  They attributed it to a small hole in my heart that some platelets built up on, broke free and went to the brain.  At least that was their only guess, lol.  Have a great day.  Jeff

[crwstar]

Hi - that's great you are having your MRI tomorrow. When you had your TIA at age 17 did they do any scans at that time? Yes, if you are having problems with MS or a stroke an MRI should show this. These tests are not full proof but they are some of the best ways to find out what's going on. From what I've read, usually a CT scan can be done to see if there has been a bleed as well. If you want a response from a doctor I would suggest posting your question on the Neurology forum or even the MS forum, you might get more responses.

All the best and I hope they find out what's going on with you.

Crwstar