Migraines or MS??

[shelby416]

I'm a 43 year old female and I've had migraines since childhood. I just had an mri and they said I had an 8mm lesion (white matter) on my left side. 2 years ago they said I had one on the right side. My dr is sending me to a neurologist to check for ms. I know lesions on the brain for migraine sufferer is very common and usually not ms but I can't help wondering if some of my other symptoms are related.
I have had an obvious loss of memory since the age of 36. I used to be called a walking phone book for names and numbers. Then I suddenly started forgetting what I ate for lunch. I fell going UP the steps several times because I was forgetting to lift my foot. Muscle spasms in my head that are excruciating. When I went to the doctor she said it was probably stress. ?? I now have trouble typing, writing numbers, and often word correlation. Can't understand basic conversations if there is any backround noise (tv, radio, another person talking in backround) I hear the words they just don't register as anything that makes sense. Also have numbness in my right hand and fingers. And most of all muscle weakness in my neck which may answer a lot.
My primary care told me today to go to a neurologist for possible ms. Do any of these things sound like MS or anything other than standard migrains to any of you out there? Oh and I'm not a panic or breakdown type so tell me straight.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Diagnosing MS can be very difficult and there is no definite test for this condition. You can have a second opinion and have your symptoms evaluated by a neurologist who specializes in treating MS. You could ask for a referral from your doctor or check with your local hospitals for specialists in MS and this would greatly help ease any anxiety regarding the diagnosis. Take care always.

[shelby416]

Any updates illini89?

[shelby416]

Rowena thanks for the helpful information. I want back to the doctor yesterday and she said it was definitely not lyme as the test was boarderline and lyme would show a definite positive. She concluded I have MS and wanted to start me on a steroid catheter for 3 days. I'm trying to hold off. Should I get a second opinion? I'm not having any luck finding a LLMD in South Florida. Am I just afraid of the diagnosis or should I be doing more research before settling into a lifetime label of MS? Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the updates.It is good to hear that the cervical MRI was fine. Lyme titer test for Lyme disease looks for antibodies in the blood. These antibodies can mean that you have a current or past infection. If the result of your test was borderline or equivocal, the test should be repeated in two to four weeks to see if there is any change. The antibodies to other infections may look similar to Lyme Disease antibodies. This is why a “false positive” result may occur. A Western Blot is usually done with the Lyme titer test to help with the diagnosis. This test looks at the specific parts of the bacteria to which antibodies attach and is more specific and less affected by factors such as antibiotic treatment. It is best that you discuss the results with your doctor for proper evalaution and to be referred to a Lyme disease specialist in your area, if indicated. Take care and do keep us posted.

[shelby416]

Cervical mri came back fine. Blood test were fine with the exception of the lyme teter test. That came back as "borderline". What does that mean and where do I go from here?

[shelby416]

Update... I just spent 4 days in bed with another migraine. Everyday this month has been a migraine with the exception of 4 days. Just a bad headache on those days.Neurologist sent me for a cervical spine mri. That came back normal. She also sent me for a ton of blood work on Monday. I haven't gotten those results back yet. I was disappointed that my cervical mri came back with nothing on it. I was hoping to just find out it was due to an accident and was easily fixed. No luck. If the bloodwork comes back normal I'm not sure where to go from here. I KNOW something is wrong and just want a direction to go in to improve my quality of life.

[shelby416]

Sorry= balance and ol=ok. I read the post 4 times for mistakes and read those two words wrong 4 times and in my mind it made sense. Frustrating!!!!

[shelby416]

Well I can see why you are frustrated! I read your other forums and I'm sorry you are getting such disappointing treatment. I've found I've gone to several doctors in hope of a simple diagnosis only to find them shaking their heads or trying a quick fix medication. Those never work. I think finding the right doctor is like dating. You have to find the right one. My primary told me last week "I honestly don't know how to treat you, it's a guessing game at this point". Neurologist said my balance is horrible and my right side is weak. The lesion on the left side of brain may explain the sorry issues and memory loss. When I concentrate I'm ol but when she talked and randomly asked me my name in the middle of a sentence I couldn't tell her. Couldn't repeat a 6 digit number back to her. Frustrating indeed. She is ordering a ton of blood test and scheduled a cervical and spine MRI next week. My hopes for a solution are not high but right now not knowing is killing me my quality of life deteriates with every day. Let's hope for solutions for both of us!

[illini89]

I am 39 and have suffered from migraines since childhood as well.  My  symptoms have changed quite dramatically as well as yours in the last year.  You can find my very in depth details on my postings under complicated Migraines and under a UnDiagnosed Frustrated Ms Forum.  I reside in South Carolina and am furious with all my physicians except my family physican.  She has recommended seeing a MS specialist but all of them are either in NC, GA or FL.  If you don't mind me asking once you get everything resolved and you are pleased with your positive results (because that is what we will be praying for) will you direct me on whether your specialist was in the northern part of FL? I am struggling with getting my local specialist to run the necessary tests needed to confirm or deny any type of MS or neurological disorder.  That is why I have put it off traveling outside my state (and insurance network) when it could be nothing more than the newer version of migraines called complicated migraines????  I wish you the best of luck and remember always a take a deep breath.  

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis usually vary and depend on the location of affected nerve fibers. These include numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, partial or complete loss of vision, double vision or blurring of vision, tingling or pain, tremor, lack of coordination or unsteady gait, fatigue and dizziness. For proper diagnosis, it is best that you have this checked by your neurologist. Diagnosis relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar symptoms,  such as migraine. Direct neurological examination is important. Take care and regards.