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Avatar universal

MS Symptoms

Hello, I am new to the board and could use some advice. I am a 38yr old female and have been experiencing what I believe to be MS symptoms. Here it goes: Left side weakness, my toes on left foot will barely bend. My big toe will not bend at all anymore, numbness, tingling, and a prickling feeling when I get too hot. My leg muscles twitch especially at night when Im trying to relax, and I have had some blurred vision as well.

I have had several MRIs, which all were normal. I just recently had a lumbar puncture, waiting on results. My symptoms have been on and off for at least 6 months. Right now I seem to be having what I call a "flare up." Has anyone ever heard of someone having MS, but with normal MRI? I think my doctor thinks Im crazy. He is a neuro and is treating me with Lyrica for the leg pain. It doesnt help, during the flare up. If anyone has any advice please respond.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the warm welcome and information. My doc has also mentioned "possible MS."  With the exception of the LP I have had everything else ruled out. No, I dont think anyone wants to have any disease especially one without a cure, but when the symptoms persist without any other explanation, one cant help but wonder and start seeking information. I will definately check out the links and again thank you for your help!
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Avatar universal
Hi and welcome!

I, too, am un-dx'ed.  I have had clean MRI's on both my brain and cervical spine but, at my last appointment, my neuro made the comment "I'm concerned it's MS but it's just further down".  I was so flabbergasted he said that (you'd have to know how super cautious my neuro is to understand that his even mentioning this without some evidence is really a big thing) that I didn't question him.  I just sat there stunned.  It was only after I left that it hit me "Did he just say that and I didn't question him????"  

Our health pages are really GREAT sources of information.  I would suggest you check those out.  This one deals with negative MRI's:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/How-Can-a-Person-with-MS-Have-a-Negative-MRI/show/161?cid=36

and there are many other ones as well that talk about lesions, etc.

I, too, am waiting on an appointment for an LP but LP can be negative with MS as well.  They can also be positive on someone who doesn't have MS.  LP's are just a tool and can't rule in or out MS definitively.  This health page:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Can-you-Diagnose-MS-with-an-LP-that-is-Negative-for-O-bands/show/142?cid=36

is an EXCELLENT one on LP's.  

I don't think anyone wants to have MS but I am a firm believer in the fact that "Knowledge is power" and the old adage of "To be forewarned is to have four arms" or something like that....  ;)  (Just a little humor.  Better to laugh than cry....)

Again, welcome.  Take a deep breath.  Do some reading and ask some questions.  I just recently joined this group and the support is amazing here.  Even and especially for those of us wandering in "Limboland" awaiting a dx....
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have had an MRI of brain and spine with and without contrast. Im not sure of the machine though. I have had loads of bloodwork to rule out other things like lyme disease. My nest step was the lumbar punture. Trust me I dont want to have it just trying to get more info and understanding that MS may end up being my diagnosis.
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1253197 tn?1331209110
Hi and welcome to the forum. You have landed on a great place to ask questions, seek support and friendship from some of the most understanding folks I have ever met.

It sounds as if you have already made your mind up that you have MS and the first thing I would say is just try and keep an open mind. MS is diagnosed by exclusion of other illnesses and there are many that mimic MS.

I am sure that you are waiting the LP results with some anxiety and hoping that the results provide some answers. Have you also had blood work done as this will provide further clinical evidence to help build the picture. Have your MRI scans been of brain and spine? You ask if it is possible to have normal MRI's and still have MS and although I cannot comment personally, I have read other people's stories where this does appear to be the case. Also the type of MRI machine (3T is best) can also make a difference I beleive and was your scan done with and without contrast? I am sure that there are others who can provide more insight into all of this than me. However just try and be patient and be prepared to have to wait a little longer as it can take a long time to get a diagnosis. And you want to get the right diagnosis..MS is not one that anyone wants!

Best wishes and let us know how you get on.

Sarah
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