Aa
Worth testing for MS?
Last year I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and started a trial of a DMARD. I do seem to be less stiff in the morning. However, I still have severe fatigue and soreness. Lupus runs in my family also, but I was negative on ANA tests. Since I know MS is related to both Lupus and RA, I looked up the symptoms. I frequently am lightheaded and difficulty focusing my eyes. While I do not have numbness or tingling, I do have constant itchiness which does not go away, even if I scratch until I bleed. I also frequently have digestion problems. Would it be worth bringing this up to the doctor and getting tested? Or are these just symptoms of RA?
Actually RA and Lupus are NOT related to MS in any way except that all three have some autoantibodies involved. Although a person can have two of these diseases at once, it is quite uncommon.
Lupus is a close "mimic" of MS. This means that they can cause similar symptoms by attacking the brain and spinal cord, but the means of attack is VERY different with Lupus attacking via damage to small vessels (vasculitis) and MS via damage directly to the neurons themselves. RA is not similar to MS at all.
Joint damage is not seen in MS, nor is elevation of the index of inflammation like the sed rate.
Lightheadedness is not particularly an MS symptom, though some people have it, it is not clear that the lightheadedness is due to MS. Trouble focusing is pretty non-specific, and I would not list that as a major part of MS either. Itching like you describe can be due to a false signal from a nerve, something called a paresthesia. Yes, this can occur in MS or in someone with nerve involvement from another autoimmune disease.
In all, I do not see that you have much to point toward MS as the cause of your problems.
If you are concerned and your rheumatologist is no help, certainly you could see a neurologist.
Quix, MD
Lupus is a close "mimic" of MS. This means that they can cause similar symptoms by attacking the brain and spinal cord, but the means of attack is VERY different with Lupus attacking via damage to small vessels (vasculitis) and MS via damage directly to the neurons themselves. RA is not similar to MS at all.
Joint damage is not seen in MS, nor is elevation of the index of inflammation like the sed rate.
Lightheadedness is not particularly an MS symptom, though some people have it, it is not clear that the lightheadedness is due to MS. Trouble focusing is pretty non-specific, and I would not list that as a major part of MS either. Itching like you describe can be due to a false signal from a nerve, something called a paresthesia. Yes, this can occur in MS or in someone with nerve involvement from another autoimmune disease.
In all, I do not see that you have much to point toward MS as the cause of your problems.
If you are concerned and your rheumatologist is no help, certainly you could see a neurologist.
Quix, MD
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