HELP ME AM I DEALING WITH MS

[mrangel714]

I was feeling numbness and tingling on the right side of my face R/ hand and R/foot, I went to the ER because I could not handle it anymore.  The Attending Physican, requested an Chest X-ray Imperssion: Negative Examination. Ct Head or Brain w/o contrast Impression Essentially negative Noncontrast ct head. I had an abnormal ECG.  She ordered an MRI of the brain.  Impression 1. Sinusitis, 2. Puntctate areas of increased signal in the white matter. Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating processes would be a consideration.  
Findings: were as follows:  There is a mild mucoscla thickening throughtout the partially visualized paranasal sinuses consistant with an element of sinusitis. Ventricles are normal in size, shape and postition. No mass effect, midline shift of hyrocephalus. There are two punctate areas of increased signal in the white matter in the right hemisphere as seen on the FLAR images.  One is just superior and lateral to the right lateral ventricle and the other is lateral to the mid portion of the right lateral ventricle. There are also evident on the T2-wieghed inages but are more conspicious on the FLAR images. Diffusion -weighted images reveal no evidence of the acute ischemic process. No specific abnormality on the T1 images. THe punctate areas of increased signal in the white matter are nonspecific. Multiple sclerosis, however remains a consideration.  There are not uncommon in patients over 50 years of age. In patients under 50 years of age, in the absence of underlying hypertension, diabetes or other small vessel disease, multiple scleriosis would be the most likely etiology.

My dr. stated that she was surpised that the ER dr had ordered the MRI, but in my case she was glad it was done.  Should I be scared?

I follow up with my Dr. she stated did anthor ECG which came out normal.  She also order me to do a 2 hr gluclose test which I did this morning. She has also referred me to Neurologist for evaluation and treatment.  

I have been having a lot of diffuclties with my feet and legs and my right hand, Could this just be Diabetes?

Also I scheduled an appointment with the Nueorologist however they can not get me in until Nov 20,2007.  What happens until then I continue to have good days and bad days?  

From what I have provided you with, and your experience can you please advise your opionion, Am I dealing with MS. I am a 30 year hispanic female who is very active and always on the go, and have been really healthy until now I am unable to do much now I am always very tired, it is so hard for me to get out of bed.  Is there anything I can do to get this process speeded up/or can you tell me what and where I go from here?

Thank you so much for your time.

[Canada71]

Hope things get better for you. I will be following up here as well because I am going through some of the same things. For about 6+ weeks now I have struggled with daily activities and am finding myself very fatigued, lightheaded/dizzy and basically a general malaise daily. I have had blood work done, a stress test, visited the eye doctor and finally an MRI last Friday. The results came back something like you posted above....a "non-specific chronic white matter at the right parietal region". Not really sure what that means and have an appointment scheduled for next Friday with a neurologist.

I was originally diagnosed with Vertigo but there seems to be something else going on...I'm a very active 36 yr old white male that plays softball twice a week and golfs once or twice as well, this has really slowed me down and not knowing what is going on can be very tough. Hope things work out for you...i'll check back soon enough.

[mrangel714]

Hello Heather,
I just called my dr.'s office and all my blood work came back okay. I have had 2 good days Yesterday and the day before.  Today I feel like my legs are very heavy along with tingling and numbess and the shakes.  So now I just wait for the Nuerologist appointment on the 6th will keep you posted,

[Heather3418]

FANTASTIC news.  What a lucky break for you.  Hopefully thats an omen of better things to come.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Remember, keep us posted.  We actually DO keep up with everyone's testing and their results...so don't forget, okay?

Hang in there....Heather

[mrangel714]

Okay yesterday, I recieved a call from the Nuerologist and I will be seen on the 6th of November rather than the 20th.  I am so excited.  I will keep you all posted.  Gluclose test will be in on Friday.
Thank you all :)

[Roxie0818]

I'm sorry, I was dx with MS...   forgot to mention that.. :)
Hope you keep us posted
Roxanne

[Heather3418]

I am glad you found what hopefully you can call "your place of comfort and understanding."  Your new Internet family.  This is a great place and full of "angels with invisible wings," as I call them.

I have MS and Diabetes.  Of course your MRI is very suggestive of MS, as your radiologist has already pointed out.  What kind of problems are you having with your feet and legs?

The tingling and numbness seemingly so associated with MS, can also be caused by out of whack blood glucose levels.  I was diagnosed with Diabetes at age 40.  I am now 54.  I was diagnosed with MS when I was 42.

Have you done any testing on a glucose monitor on your own to see what you levels are running at?  Or did your doctor discover high readings in the office?  If you doing home testing, that will definitely give you an idea what your outcome will be from 2 hour glucose test, your doctor performed.

Believe it or not Marie, your Neurology appointment was fast.  It usually takes much longer to get an appointment.  Especially a first appointment.  Your doctor did a good job of getting you in as soon as possible.  I know that it seems like forever, though.  I, in fact, have an appointment myself on November 19th.  Time for my MS check-up.

Try to hang in there.  Lean on us for support.  We'll help you get through your "waiting period."  I promise.

Please keep us posted about the results of your blood glucose testing.

Heather

[mrangel714]

Thank you both.. I just called my dr to see if the blood work was in or when it would be in they said not until Friday.  Today so far has been a good day very little tingling,  It's days like this when I think hey maybe there is nothing wrong at all.  But If it where only that easy.  I uderstand that my journey of being dx has only begun.  It is really enough to drive a person insane I feel so helpless. But I am really glad I have found this website.  I am glad I can talk to people that understand what I am going through.  The fact that we can share this important information.  I try talking to my family and I don't think they fully understand.
Thanks.- Marie

What were you dx with Roxanne MS or Diabetes?

[Roxie0818]

Hi and welcome..  I am with sandpuff... Im sorry you are going thru this.. I'm bumping this post up because sometimes alot of people post and things get pushed to the other paged and missed.. not missed on purpose.. just alot of people putting in new post.

I was 30 when I was dx and now am 38.. so I understand what you are going thru.
Take care
Roxanne

[Sandpuff]

Sorry you are going through this and that you have to wait so long to see a neurologist.  I know how hard it is to wait for answers.  I'm afraid I can't offer you much for advice, but I know there are others on this board who might be able to give you some help.  

I can relate to feeling like it's hard to even get out of bed.  It's not easy to feel that way, especially when you have no idea why.  I hope you can get some answers soon.  Will be thinking about you - please keep us posted.  Maybe someone else on this board can chime in and give you some input on your test results.