Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Frustrated with No Diagnosis

Have had numbness and tingling alternating on one side or other (arms and legs), loss of balance, some bladder incontinence, feel worse in hot weather.  Went to neuro and had positive Romberg, positive heel-toe walk, slight weakness on left and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes.  I was thinking MS but didn't mention it to neuro. He ordered MRI of head and spine (found out later it was on open .7T MRI).  Brain MRi showed few "tiny punctate foci" in periventricular area, consistent with aging or small vessell disease. Spine showed cervical stenosis but not impinging on spinal cord.  Return visit to neuro last week who said he had no idea what it is.  I told him my eyes were now hurting, with sharp pain behind eye and he told me to go to an opthalmologist.  My left leg now feels weak.  He did brief neuro exam (none of the above tests) and said it was normal.  I asked him if it could be MS, and he said, "No, it's not MS"  I asked what it could be and he said it is a mystery and to return in 4 months.  I am at a logg with the pins and needles becoming more frequent and fee like I am about to lose my mind.  I am 65 years old, and I know that is awfully old to be diagnosed with MS, but have researched late-onet MS, so it is a possibility.  Am I crazy for thinking that might be what it is.  I am trying to get on with my life, but just don't know what to do.  Thanks for any thoughts or words of advice.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I hope this isn't a duplicate reply.  I'm new at this and it seems like the other post didn't "take" because I wasn't logged in.

Anyway, thanks vey much.  I think I will watch and wait and then try to get a 3T MRI.  I won't be returning to my neuro, because his two offices have their own MRIs which are 1.5 and .7T.  He sent me to the .7T only because the office was closer to my home.  (At that time I didn't know about tesla strength and wish I had read some of these posts before that.)

Thanks agan for your reply and for the information.  It is really appreciated.  
Helpful - 0
738075 tn?1330575844
Hi, pauper, and Welcome to our little paradise on the web.  I'm sorry you're feeling so cruddy!

A diagnosis of MS can take an awfully long time, and waiting to see him again in 4 months is reasonable.  He may at that point order another MRI to compare with the first one to detect any "dissemination in space".  I don't know if you've had time to read any of our Health Pages (links on right side of the page, here), but there's a wealth of info here, and I'm sure they'll help answer questions you may have.

For your next MRI, insist it be done on a 3T magnet, and none of this open stuff.  Do the real thing.

Before a diagnosis of MS can be made, any mimics (and there are many) need to be ruled out.

And, 65 is NOT too old to be diagnosed with MS!  Do get a second opinion if your current neuro is being dismissive.  Some folks here have been through 3-5 neuros!

Good luck and let us know what happens on your path to answers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your reply. I hope you receive a dx. for your son soon.  I am kind of down on doctors at the moment and think I will wait it out to see if symptoms get a lot worse before returning to dr. or seeking ms specialist.  But I am happy I joined this forum just to get things off my chest.  My family is great, but as a mother I am trying hard not to burden them too much with my complaints.  I will make sure I take care of myself and seek another opinion at some point, but right now I'm in that phase of being happy it doesn't seem to be anything serious but depressed that I can find no answers.  Best wishes to you.
Helpful - 0
1548028 tn?1324612446
I am really sorry you are going through all of this.  We have been waiting for many months for a diagnosis for my son.  It is very frustrating when you know something is wrong but the dr's don't know what is causing it.  I agree 65 is not the norm but impossible.  MS is sneaky and mimicks so many other things.  Neuro issues are just difficult to diagnose.  Hang in there and keep going back to dr. and/or get second opinions.  Many people here go to MS Specialists for their opinions.  I wish you the best!  You are on a great forum with many insightful and intelligent people.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease