oligoclonal bands in CSF

[AshRN]

Hello I am a 25 year old female and four weeks ago I was diagnosed with optic neuritis, I was admitted to the hospital for 5 days of IV solumedrol therapy (1000 mg a day). After the treatment my vision mostly came back and the eye pain was completely gone. At the same time I also had a burning arm pain in my right arm with numbness and tingling into my fingers. During my hospital stay I had an MRI of my head, which was normal. I also had a spinal tap which showed 14 oligoclonal bands, my IGG synthesis was 6.1 and the IGG index is 1.6. I also had a envoked potential test that was abnormal. I was told that I may have MS, but that I shouldn't do anything else at this time. I should wait till the next flareup. Last night I got the lost the vision in my left eye again and the severe eye pain is back. I went to the doctor and have optic neuritis again. I had one of two treatment options IV solumedrol again or I could try oral prednisone, this is the option I choose for now, because I had many side effects from the solumedrol. I had to go on insulin, it made my gallbladder go bad and I had to have it removed, I also developed hospital acquired pneumonia from my immune system not working, and I also had lots of problems sleeping. Also this time I have heaviness in my legs with muscle twitching. I also have this problem that when I look down, I get a severe pain from my neck down my entire spine. Please give me any information about what to do next. Do you have to have a lesion on the brain to get a diagnosis of MS. All the research that I do says the sooner you start treatment the better off you will be. I am very concerned. I have 2 small children that I want to keep up with. Please post anything that might help

Thanks a bunch

[AshRN]

Thanks so much I did post to the website you sent, Thanks again

[PlateletGal]

You might want to consider copying and pasting your question and posting it in the autoimmune diseases (expert) forum. Prof. Garth Nicolson will be here through tomorrow answering our questions. Here is the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Autoimmune-Disorders/show/358

[kmil1999]

You are right about the earlier the treatment the better.  From what I unerstand, neuros are treating after what you had.  (clinically isolated syndrome).  I think that oral prednisone would not be strong enough or quick enough to protect your eyesight.  

It sounds like you need to be treated quickly and appropriately.  Have you heard of the McDonald Criteria?  Have you been on the MS site of medhelp?  The MS community is really great on this site.  They will have a lot of help for you.  I would go there as soon as you can.  http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Multiple-Sclerosis/show/41

Please don't sit on this. Best wishes!
K