MRI shows 4 lesions "suggestive" of MS

[ksrn19]

I don't want to make this super long and drawn out, because I'm tired of talking about it honestly. I started on vyvanse for ADHD recently (about 1.5 months ago) and took it basically just on nights that I work (ICU nurse) About 1.5 weeks ago, I started having strange symptoms and something new popped up every day. I figured it was the vyvanse so I stopped taking it. Symptoms continued. I went to the ER (very hesitantly seeing as I'm also an ER nurse and don't like when non-emergent people come in for quick results on imaging--but I KNEW something was very wrong and I was going to drive myself crazy because it's a friday and I wouldn't even be seen by a PCP until monday at least, not to mention time taken for scheduling imaging and reading etc. ANYWAY. The MRI showed some lesions, which I'll explain below. I'm just looking for some info until I can get in to see a neurologist. I was really upset the first day but I'm really trying to just ignore it until I can get some expert advice. Problem is, google exists and I can't help myself. I just want to know how likely it is that it's MS and what the odds are that it could be something else. Let me know what you think in your experience and knowledge on the subject.

Here's the recent symptoms:

*parasthesias in right leg (feels like hot stones from my butt to my toes just on the right side, sometimes a little tingling but not a lot)
*Bilateral leg weakness (both legs feel like they're giving out on me, can't run or jog without feeling like my legs are disconnected from my body...also tripping a lot and going down stairs is difficult)
*Right eye cloudy "spot" lasting for the last 3-4 days
*Strange sensation in my neck and head when I turn to look far to the right, also when I press on my neck on the right side
*dropping things occasionally without reason, difficulty putting my thoughts into words at times, mood swings and irritability
*balance/coordination issues
*HISTORY of: ocular migraines with and without headache following, but mostly just visual disturbances,  regular headaches VERY often (I take alive probably every other day sometimes every day), I have had 20/20 vision my whole life until about 3 years ago, I got low prescription glasses to see at night and distances during the day-normal otherwise. 2 years ago I had a short period of time where I felt this "hot stone" type thing in just my right foot. I would look down because it felt so hot and nothing was there. It went away and I thought nothing of it. Coincidentally, I had an "ocular migraine" so I thought, around the same time while I was driving on the highway and had absolutely no vision in my periphery which made it difficult to get off the highway as you could imagine. I've never had motor problems before or sensory problems other than that foot feeling that went away, and I thought nothing of it.

MRI report:

*T2/FLAIR hyperintensity lesion involving the subcortical white matter of the left paramedian frontal lobe and precentral gyrus (0.5x0.3x1.0 cm)
*5 mm lesion left mid body of corpus callosum, 2 mm lesion posterior left body of corpus callosum
*A formal mid or lesion along the margin of right anterior body of corpus callosum
IMPRESSION:
Focal white matter lesion within the posteromedial left frontal lobe white matter involving the left precentral gyrus white matter as well as three lesions within and along the margins of the corpus callosum. The location and distribution is suggestive of demyelinating disease, such as multiple sclerosis. Clinical and CSF correlation is suggested. There are no enhancing lesions to suggest active demyelination.

So, the radiologist used the words Multiple Sclerosis. In my experience as an ER and ICU RN, docs don't throw out diagnosis terms unless they're fairly sure. They're funny about not liking law suits. I'm thinking it's pretty likely. I also went out and got a tattoo and put my eyebrow ring back in this weekend! I'm thinking that's DEFINITELY a symptom of the corpus callosum and bad decision making and all that. ;) anyway. I'm trying not to freak out about it definitely being MS until all other options are ruled out but I know that a definitive dx is hard to reach with MS...and I don't like being in limbo, but I have a feeling I'll have to get used to it. Let me know your thoughts.

[kollette27]

You're experience is the same as mine. I tried many jobs after Dx just trying to find the right "fit" with all of my Sx. Fatigue, cognitive difficulties (limitations, actually), heat sensitivity, vision issues that came along with the fatigue, memory problems, lack of coordination, and serious balance issues. I need to work, but continued to be "picked on", as you called it, about not being fast enough, making mistakes, having to call in, etc. You obviously know the struggle. My favorite line from multiple jobs was "you've got to do better, just because you have MS doesn't mean we are going to baby you". That was after I started disclosing, thinking it would make them understand that I wasn't just "lazy" as one coworker called it. It was just as bad. I just recently quit a very good job because of the hours. I worked from home taking customer service calls and they had me scheduled at 8 hours, even though they hired me for 4 hour days (that is one of my limits, I can't really work for more than a 4 hour stretch, then fatigue, cognitive and vision issues kick in). Then in the evening, I'm like a zombie, may as well go to bed. Once the 8 hour schedule came up, I reminded them of my limitations but was told that I would have to wait a few weeks for approval, but was told they would work with me in the meantime. I tried very hard to make it work because I truly loved this job. But I had to leave early several days and they wrote me up so I resigned, as to not have a termination on my record. I'm still in school and hoping to finish so that I can run my own biz out of home office in website design. I'm just so discouraged when it comes to working, I'm not really sure it will work out. Recently got my first denial in disability, being told that I could definitely work my previous job in retail; obviously the deniers have neve worked in retail, the mood swings of MS alone will get me fired. But I found out too late that I had an "advocate" and not a lawyer (aren't they supposed to disclose that they aren't a lawyer?) and he didnt file my appeal, so I have to start all over. I've decided that it's not worth the hassle, and I don't have insurance or any money to be able to get a fresh opinion from docs on working. I haven't seen my neuro in like 5 years because of no money or insurance, so according to disability, it's outdated (it has been awhile since seeing a doc, but is there new developments in the MS world where it gets BETTER? Just wondering cos that's the way they made it sound, lol'ed I was cured or something and they needed FURTHER proof of my symptoms. Would think the MRI, LP, evoked potentials, and balance problems noted in the report were enough. But, then again I speak perfect english, so I'm still employable). Sorry, that was a SERIOUS run on sentence. I'm guessing that I hide my bitterness well?? So anyway, I just want to say that I tried vyvanse (my son has the Rx for ADHD, and rarely takes it) and I took it for a week, but didnt want to keep taking HIS meds cos he might decide he doesn't want to. Annoy his teachers any longer; that stuff DEMOLOSHES fatigue and cognitive issues for me, even the heat sensitivity was better!! I'm going to beg whatever doc I finally get to for my own Rx cos I might just be able to hold a job with it! Lol sorry, I ramble a lot :)

[ksrn19]

Thank you so much for all of your responses. A friend of mine mentioned MS (kind of jokingly- as in all nurses are hypochondriacs since we know about every horrible disease that exists lol) a couple years ago when I was having the strange foot sensations...but this time around I was saying MS from the day all of this started. And all of my nurse friends thought I was being crazy...me and my morbid sense of humor can't wait to shove it in their face. I like being right. Even if it is about something like this... haha. Well I guess I'll start my search for a good doctor and try to keep a positive attitude through it. I truly appreciate you guys taking the time to read this and give your input.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

Some of your medical history and sx's should of automatically put MS on your list of possible causes, but because MS has many mimic's, a person's clinical signs of lesions and test results eg MRI, VEP, LP, blood tests etc etc puts MS either higher or lower on the possible list.

"*5 mm lesion left mid body of corpus callosum, 2 mm lesion posterior left body of corpus callosum
*A formal mid or lesion along the margin of right anterior body of corpus callosum"

Lesions location on your MRI is important for dxing (see MS Mcdonald criteria), lesions in the CC would unfortunately put MS causation higher on your list, and most likely exclude migraine as the cause of your lesions, because the CC is a recognised MS location. Over here in OZ it's more common to hear of people having to wait (MS dx) until a lesion shows up in the CC.

I'm sorry to say this but i really can't tell you MS, wouldn't be quite high on your list of possible causes, because it definitely would have to be with lesions in the CC and the medical history you've mentioned. I would recommend you seek the opinion of a neurologist that specialises in MS, if you haven't already got that arrange.

Don't be a stranger, let us know how you get on, and if you have any questions whilst going through the dx process, we'll do our best to give you the right answers.

Cheers.............JJ  

  

[SarahL2491]

find a neurologist who specializes in MS, there are many who just think they know about MS.  It is still a long process, all the mimic diseases have to be ruled out, so you need someone who knows his stuff.

Nice to meet a fellow ER nurse, you may want to go out of town to look for this person, depending on whether or not you want people you work with to know.  I hid it and was surprised how I was picked on for "not helping others", "for not keeping up", etc., but finally quit work because I was having trouble remembering verbal orders and didn't want to drop a pt on the way to the bathroom, etc.  

Keep looking and welcome to our little corner, we try to share and learn from each other, just remember posts can be googled by anyone, but I agree with Dennis, and sorry to hear this is what it might be.
Hugs
Sarah

[Sailorsong]

Hi and welcome.

In my non medical mind it seems like there is a pretty good chance that it is MS as in all of the MRI reports I have read they usually list more than one possible cause for lesions. I have a lot of problems keeping the locations in a brain straight so the locations you stated mean nothing to me. Others on the forum are better in that respect.

The one thing I do know is that there are many mimics for MS that will have to be ruled out.  As such it does usually take some time to get a DX.  Though you may get lucky and find out sooner than later what is causing the problems.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Dennis