Aa
In testing phase
Hi everyone--4 months ago I began experiencing vertigo everyday. I also have tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Brain fog and fatigue are getting bad--although some days I feel almost normal MRI (brain)showed 5 small lesions, LP results and all bloodwork are normal. Evoked Potentials test (only done on legs) show sensory neuropathy in both legs. Neuro is now sending me to MS specialist for second opinion. My young son has Autism and a bright spot on his MRI. Are Mother's of autistic children more likely to have MS? Which other tests might I be missing? I think I definitely will ask for MRI of spine.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to our corner of the web, you may find out health pages on the dx process (eg the Mcdonald criteria etc) most helpful to you. You'll find our health pages just to the right of your screen, well worth the time to have a read through.
As for your question, "Are Mother's of autistic children more likely to have MS?" the answer is no. You are not alone though, we have community members are dx with MS and have Autistic children or Autism in there family, so if you do end up with an MS dx, you will not do through this alone!
I will say that i strongly believe parents with MS have a unprecidented understanding of what their Autistic children go through, not all of it but some MS symptoms eg sensory, are quite similar in their feelings, similar enough to help you, help and understand your child. I wrote a thread once regarding the similarities of MS and Autism, i even contacted researchers here in Australia to see if there was any research in the pipeline, not now or in the near future, probably never.
I find it facinating that the cause of MS and Autism are both unknown, both neurological and both happening to otherwise normal brains etc. In MS the central nervous system is being damaged by the continual immune attacks on the myline, which is what causes the MS lesions in both the brain and spine. I have no evidence to back my theory up, lol but i think there could be something affecting the development of the CNS which ultimately causes Autism, i see a connection though i'll probably never know if i'm right or not.
ASD runs strong in my family, Asperger's specifically, both brothers dx, both my children dx (son and daughter) and there is enough anacdotal evidence to suspect my exstremely eccentric grandfather was an Aspie too. So from my father the Aspie comes through and from my mother the gifted comes through, makes for a rather interesting combo, lol and still no two are alike. I've spent the last 20 years working with Autistic children as well as my own and now with the MS, so i've got a connection of my own that gets my brain spinning up question after question. I could bore you for ever so i'll stop now lol :o)
I do think something might be inadvertantly overlooked and thats actually regarding your childs MRI, from my understanding they dont usually find any abnormalities or lesions in Autism brain scans so i'm left wondering if the bright spot is actually a scan glitch, like a flash echo, so its not actually there, which happens sometimes with MRI's. I'd be finding that out if that bright spot actually has any meaning.
An MS dx comes from the gathering of evidence, it all adds weight towards or away from all the possiblilites. ms.about.com explains your test results
"What Do the Results Mean?
An “abnormal” result basically means that the signal took longer to reach the brain that it normally would in a person with healthy nerves, or that it was less intense. In terms of MS, the tests play out as follows:
VER: 85% of people with MS have abnormal results to the visual evoked response test. This is the most useful of the evoked potential test in helping to diagnose MS, especially for things like progressive MS that do not show up so well on MRI scans. However, people with vision disorders not necessarily related to MS can also have abnormal results on their VER.
SSEP: Results to this test are abnormal in 77% of people with MS.
BAEP: Abnormal results to this test occur in only about 67% of people with MS."
Its a good idea to see a neuro that specialises in MS, dx takes time because there are so many mimics, expect a repeat of the tests you've already had and if you have any visual sx not yet investigated, then id expect testing by a neuro opthalmologist too.
Stick around, this is a pretty good place to land for both support and information, and i'm sure we'll all do what we can to help you get through this.
Hugs.........JJ
As for your question, "Are Mother's of autistic children more likely to have MS?" the answer is no. You are not alone though, we have community members are dx with MS and have Autistic children or Autism in there family, so if you do end up with an MS dx, you will not do through this alone!
I will say that i strongly believe parents with MS have a unprecidented understanding of what their Autistic children go through, not all of it but some MS symptoms eg sensory, are quite similar in their feelings, similar enough to help you, help and understand your child. I wrote a thread once regarding the similarities of MS and Autism, i even contacted researchers here in Australia to see if there was any research in the pipeline, not now or in the near future, probably never.
I find it facinating that the cause of MS and Autism are both unknown, both neurological and both happening to otherwise normal brains etc. In MS the central nervous system is being damaged by the continual immune attacks on the myline, which is what causes the MS lesions in both the brain and spine. I have no evidence to back my theory up, lol but i think there could be something affecting the development of the CNS which ultimately causes Autism, i see a connection though i'll probably never know if i'm right or not.
ASD runs strong in my family, Asperger's specifically, both brothers dx, both my children dx (son and daughter) and there is enough anacdotal evidence to suspect my exstremely eccentric grandfather was an Aspie too. So from my father the Aspie comes through and from my mother the gifted comes through, makes for a rather interesting combo, lol and still no two are alike. I've spent the last 20 years working with Autistic children as well as my own and now with the MS, so i've got a connection of my own that gets my brain spinning up question after question. I could bore you for ever so i'll stop now lol :o)
I do think something might be inadvertantly overlooked and thats actually regarding your childs MRI, from my understanding they dont usually find any abnormalities or lesions in Autism brain scans so i'm left wondering if the bright spot is actually a scan glitch, like a flash echo, so its not actually there, which happens sometimes with MRI's. I'd be finding that out if that bright spot actually has any meaning.
An MS dx comes from the gathering of evidence, it all adds weight towards or away from all the possiblilites. ms.about.com explains your test results
"What Do the Results Mean?
An “abnormal” result basically means that the signal took longer to reach the brain that it normally would in a person with healthy nerves, or that it was less intense. In terms of MS, the tests play out as follows:
VER: 85% of people with MS have abnormal results to the visual evoked response test. This is the most useful of the evoked potential test in helping to diagnose MS, especially for things like progressive MS that do not show up so well on MRI scans. However, people with vision disorders not necessarily related to MS can also have abnormal results on their VER.
SSEP: Results to this test are abnormal in 77% of people with MS.
BAEP: Abnormal results to this test occur in only about 67% of people with MS."
Its a good idea to see a neuro that specialises in MS, dx takes time because there are so many mimics, expect a repeat of the tests you've already had and if you have any visual sx not yet investigated, then id expect testing by a neuro opthalmologist too.
Stick around, this is a pretty good place to land for both support and information, and i'm sure we'll all do what we can to help you get through this.
Hugs.........JJ
Sounds like you have most of the tests. they may run a lot of blood work to rule out other things. The Neurologists sometimes follow you for months or years to see changes. neurological changes take awhile to see for the doctors. They like to be sure. A wrong diagnosis is not good.
It can be frustrating and scary to be in the diagnosis phase. It is good they are sending you to a MS Specialist. Not all Neurologists understand MS all that well.
MS is not the end of the world. I have had it 47 years and have lived an active and full filling life so far. I also have a bad form of Cancer I was diagnosed with recently and I still am doing okay in spite of both diseases. I train Service Dogs still even going through chemotherapy. I ride horses. I can't drive mostly because of the Cancer but have friends to drive and am applying to used disability transportation.
I know you have a lot on your plate with an autistic child. Like with dealing with that it takes living one day at a time and adjusting to things as they come. The uncertainty of MS is the hardest part and not knowing if you have it or not makes it harder. There are no real certainties in life. I am learning with my cancer I have to live each day as it comes. I do not know what will happen day to day. I have to be kind to myself and not expect too much. Today I got to watch my hair all out. I shaved my head expecting this but it is weird to see handfuls of stubble all over the bathtub after a shower.
Fear is my biggest enemy. I can work myself up pretty quickly with fear and worry. Neither is really helpful for myself or my family. Distraction is important. I have to keep myself busy. Sometimes it is impossible to distarct myself such as right when I getr sick from chemo. Those days I know I am just going to be sick. I also know I will get better again beacuse I have been through it. The days I feel good I get the most out of, the days I feel bad I just am kind to myself and rest.
MS is an unpredictable disease but it is rarely fatal and everyone with MS seldom gets every symptom of MS at any given time. For most people the symptoms also come and go so you may not be stuck with them 24/7. At first I used to wait to get all the symptoms and there are some symptoms I have never had. Other symptoms are permanent but I have adapted to them. No to cases of MS are exactly alike. It all depends where you have inflammation or damage.
I exercise, eat well, and have gotten into a good sleep pattern. That has helped a lot. I started counseling which for me has been important. Having someone to talk to about all my emotions concerning my MS and now my Cancer has kept me going. I have learned and am learning new strategies to cope. Being able to adapt is the key. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring but we can learn to adapt to the changes.
This is a great group of people with lots of support. Remember to breath, I walked around holding my breath I was so freaked out.
The Doctors can tell by your reflexes if you need a MRI of your spine. They are more expensive than brain MRIs and sometimes they are inconclusive because it is hard to be completely still. MRIs are only snap shots. Most MS damage is in the gray matter and MRIs do not show the gray matter. I have never had a spinal MRI and I have spinal damage form MS. I have been offered them but my insurance makes me pick up too much of the bill and my MS Specialist told me it really would not make a difference to my treatment.
Alex
It can be frustrating and scary to be in the diagnosis phase. It is good they are sending you to a MS Specialist. Not all Neurologists understand MS all that well.
MS is not the end of the world. I have had it 47 years and have lived an active and full filling life so far. I also have a bad form of Cancer I was diagnosed with recently and I still am doing okay in spite of both diseases. I train Service Dogs still even going through chemotherapy. I ride horses. I can't drive mostly because of the Cancer but have friends to drive and am applying to used disability transportation.
I know you have a lot on your plate with an autistic child. Like with dealing with that it takes living one day at a time and adjusting to things as they come. The uncertainty of MS is the hardest part and not knowing if you have it or not makes it harder. There are no real certainties in life. I am learning with my cancer I have to live each day as it comes. I do not know what will happen day to day. I have to be kind to myself and not expect too much. Today I got to watch my hair all out. I shaved my head expecting this but it is weird to see handfuls of stubble all over the bathtub after a shower.
Fear is my biggest enemy. I can work myself up pretty quickly with fear and worry. Neither is really helpful for myself or my family. Distraction is important. I have to keep myself busy. Sometimes it is impossible to distarct myself such as right when I getr sick from chemo. Those days I know I am just going to be sick. I also know I will get better again beacuse I have been through it. The days I feel good I get the most out of, the days I feel bad I just am kind to myself and rest.
MS is an unpredictable disease but it is rarely fatal and everyone with MS seldom gets every symptom of MS at any given time. For most people the symptoms also come and go so you may not be stuck with them 24/7. At first I used to wait to get all the symptoms and there are some symptoms I have never had. Other symptoms are permanent but I have adapted to them. No to cases of MS are exactly alike. It all depends where you have inflammation or damage.
I exercise, eat well, and have gotten into a good sleep pattern. That has helped a lot. I started counseling which for me has been important. Having someone to talk to about all my emotions concerning my MS and now my Cancer has kept me going. I have learned and am learning new strategies to cope. Being able to adapt is the key. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring but we can learn to adapt to the changes.
This is a great group of people with lots of support. Remember to breath, I walked around holding my breath I was so freaked out.
The Doctors can tell by your reflexes if you need a MRI of your spine. They are more expensive than brain MRIs and sometimes they are inconclusive because it is hard to be completely still. MRIs are only snap shots. Most MS damage is in the gray matter and MRIs do not show the gray matter. I have never had a spinal MRI and I have spinal damage form MS. I have been offered them but my insurance makes me pick up too much of the bill and my MS Specialist told me it really would not make a difference to my treatment.
Alex
I feel for you honey, been there and done that. First I would suggest you get a full body MRI. Secondly hang in there we''re with you.. Our symptoms are so annoying. It's unreal how we could have full blown exacerbation with 5 different symptoms and still function if possible....We are special people for sure!!!!!!
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