MS symptoms

For the past 4 years I have had numerous systems that I have brought to my doctors attention numerous times.  In 2006 I had a pituitary tumor removed and nearly 4 months after, I started developing the following symptoms;
Vertigo
joints swelling up after hot shower or bath or even being in hot weather
tingling,numbness of my feet and arms usually my left foot and right arm
acid reflux
flashing lights when I close my eyes; also spots
sharp shooting pains in my temples
pain in jaw
trembling in my right hand; not all that often
memory loss
confusion
stuttering
agitation
pain in my lower back; and stem of my neck down to shoulders; unbarable pain
eyes burning/itching
itching on my legs and arms
my lymphnodes are always swollen and have been for more than 8 years
severe exhaustion; like I ran a marathon
difficult swallowing even the smallest of pills
headaches
lately I have had muscle spasms in my stomach muscles; not sure if its because I turn wrong
sweating in my sleep
balance when walking; as soon as I get up I can't walk straight
ringing in the ears; echoing
I have even developed a white looking bump on the white part of right eye
Now I went through the testing for MS with a neurologoist.
I did the hearing test, I had wires put all over the scalp, electro shocks on legs feet and hands, arms, visual, and MRI.  The MRI came back normal, but all the other tests came back "inconclusive"; however, while with my nuerologists she told me all those tests showed abnormalities.  She put me on Lexapro to make sure it wasn't stress.  I have been taking these pills and no longer work at a stressful job, yet my symptoms are still happening and are getting worse.  But still no confirmation by her or any other doctor.  MS runs in my family; my grandmother had it.
Questions I need answered is;   Why when the tests say abnormal do I not get a diagnosis with something?  Second, are there any other tests that can confirm or disprove a MS diagnosis?
I find it frusterating when I spend my hard earned money to seek out medical treatment; since I don't have health insurance I cash pay; and all the tests point to MS; especially with a family history of it.  It took 8 years for my diagnosis of my tumor when I knew I had had it for years and no one believed me and it's not like I would want the disease, cuz I have children to raise and having this disease would hamper my life, so why can't a diagnosis be made?  It should not take this long.......
Please assist........thank you.

[tjj3761]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear you are having this pain and problems.  I am not yet diagnosed in limboland for 7 years, but I just wanted to hello.

At the top right-hand corner of the page are the "Health Pages" with great information and answers.

From what I have heard, not exactly sure though, is that there is no distinct test that proves or dissaproves MS.  It is very difficult to diagnose.  It is a process of ruling out other diagnoses as well.

A few years ago on another forum, somebody told me that it took 13 years for a diagnosis.  I think someone on this forum, I read the other day, finally was diagnosed after 20 years.

We all know what you are going through.  I hope you stick around on the forum!  Everyone is wonderful here.

terri

[sllowe]

Hi MsErika,

I too am sorry you are having so many problems and seemingly no help.

I know it's the last thing you are going to want to hear, but I can see where you may have to start again fresh w/another Dr. Or, at least revisit the old one for a recap.  Maybe a general MD.

Share your frustration with the Dr. about your top few problems. With all these symptoms it's going to be hard for the Dr. to zero in on one area. Some things you mention are MS symptoms, but they are also symptoms of so many other things as well.

I hope we can be of some help to you. And, thank you for joining us and feeling comfortable to share what is going on. None of this is easy to deal with, let alone type it out. We understand.

See you around!
Shell

[marymoto]

Hello Erika i also had pituitary surgery in 2006. i had neurological symptoms in 2006 that were ms symptoms but at the time my dr. i had imaged my pituiatry and saw that it had enlarged anyways i also showed ovoid lesions at this time on the mri anyways had the surgery still had the same symptoms went back to see neurosurgeon and discussed all this again he said that my tumour would not have been causing these problems. after awhile my symptoms disapeared an i went back to work. then last year in 09 the symptoms all came back fatigue, tremor, back spasms, nerve pain down my legs,visual problems,numbness in legs,difficukty walking, heat sensitivity,i am now undergoing testing for ms i have only been told i have benign ms at this time.

[MsErika]

Thanks for your comments.  It is real frusterating and I have heard of a spinal tap, but that is extremly painful.  I have even asked my doctor to take an hour out of his day so he could read my history and that I would pay for that hour so that he would not loose any money.  They said no.  No one in their right mind wants MS or any other disease and I sure don't want anything, I just want to confirm that I am not crazy.  This happened with my tumor diagnosis and I was so angry that the doctor did not believe me and still hold resentment.  I look at life as just a journey with obsticles and when I tell people my story, they say they would not be able to handle it.  I look at it like ......well what the hell can you do to change it, you just got to live with it and not let it affect your enjoyment of life.  Although, I get so frusterated when they give you a 15 minute slot, then order tests and come back again and again and again.............when all that needs to be done is to review all the tests and history of a person.  UGHHHH
Well, these symptoms now totally affect my work as my memory, stuttering, forgetfulness, and all the cognitive parts that go along with whatever I have, and is driving me nuts.  I will not quit my job and cannot afford to get fired.  Now that the weather has been getting hot, I am getting so tired, sluggish that it takes everything I have to muster any energy.
WEll I will keep posting when I find out what is going on............it might take another decade but since I am 42 I doubt that they will before I die.  LOL
Just nice to have a place to vent.
Thanks