Clinical symptoms???

I believe I've been confusing terms . . . what is meant by clinical symptoms?  What term refers to symptoms noticed by the neuro during the exam?  I'm trying to determine where I fall with the various MS criteria.

Thanks all,
Sherry

[Quixotic1]

The terms are used very loosely.  But the strict definition of "clinical" is the part of the patient's work up that is the patients history (what they complain about to the doctor) and the exam (what the doctor finds + and - ) on the physical exam.

A "symptom" is something that the patient feels or notices.  It is by definition subjective. (My skin itches)

A "sign" is something that the doctor can find and document.  It is objective. (The doctor see a rash)

The results of the various tests that are done are considered "paraclinical evidence" which is a word used in the diagnostic criteria for MS, but rarely anywhere else.

Now, this probably brought up more questions.  Ask away.

Quix

[risnerrose]

I do have several questions, so I will simply list them below:

1.  When my neuro referred to clinical evidence . . . was he referring to "signs"?  (I have been able to "pass" all of the neuro tests, without a problem - but I have plenty of symptoms.)  

2.  Speaking of symptoms . . . is it truly atypical to have brief ( 5 minutes) episodes of a symptom?  (Although I have certain episodic symptoms, I do also have symptoms that persist for months and a few that seem to never go away.)  

3.  What part of the neuro exam is checking for spinal lesions, and what for brain lesions?

4.  How can I have vision symptoms with no signs of ON on the exam?

5.  Is it unusual to have no change in MRI in a year?  (None of my recent MRIs have been with contrast . . . since I have decreased GFR.)

6.  Could the GFR be connected???

After my last appointment, I feared I had left the impression that all of my symtoms (symptoms) had a brief duration . . . and that this made a HUGE difference in my "diagnosis".

Shew . . . didn't know I had this many questions : )    

Sherry    

[risnerrose]

bumping back to the first page

[Quixotic1]

I'll take a crack at this tomorrow.  Q

[risnerrose]

Sorry, I let this slide away . . . dealing with sick children in my home - one official case of the flu . . . yeehaw!!!  I fear my theory of protection by "herd immunity"  has proven misguided.  Maybe next year I'll get that flu shot P-)


Sherry

ps

To save face . . . I must admit my veterinarian husband is the "herd immunity" guru!  I'm just the one making potato soup for my sick children :)