MS?

[megwilson411]

Is it possible I have MS? I am 17 and am ALWAYS exausted. I get headaches a lot, and have been having a hard time speaking. I have started to slur. I also saw an ophthalmologist recently for blurry vision in one eye and it turnes out, I have optic neuritis. He suggested going to a neuro-ophthalmologist for an MRI and spinal tap but my mom thinks it would be a waste of time and that nothing is wrong. What do I do? Does it sound like MS?

[PeninaD]

It is absolutely possible to have MS at your age.  
My daughter did (looking back, this definitely began around 14-15, but may have gone all the way back to toddlerhood), I've begun to meet parents of kids younger than 8 that have been diagnosed.

Too many doctors though are unfamiliar with pediatric onset MS, so you may have to push for them to examine you with an open mindset.

I hope you are wrong, but, if you are not, I hope that you have a short time to diagnosis, and a great team, both medical, and your family and friends to help you out.

National MS Society has a section just on kids and teens with MS, including information on school issues.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Who-Gets-MS/Pediatric-MS
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Resources-for-Specific-Populations/Pediatric-MS-Support-Network

[jujuminx]

Meg,
Follow the dr.'s suggestion please.  

If you have Optic neuritis, something is wrong already and needs further investigation.  No disrespect to your mom, but you need to insist on being seen by a specialist.

It might be nothing in the grand scheme of things but look at it as a sign that there is something going on in your body that needs some further testing.

Good luck to you sweetie.

Julie

[immisceo]

You may or may not have MS, but if you've had optic neuritis, further testing is absolutely in order. Your ophthalmologist gave you an excellent suggestion and one that is in line with good medical practice. Even if the MRI and lumbar puncture (spinal tap) are inconclusive, these results can be very important to you in the future. For example, if you had an MRI now that showed nothing and had a further episode when you're twenty that showed something, well... you've just done a lot to make your diagnosis much swifter. (They would compare the two, find evidence of changes over time. This is a VERY important piece of the puzzle when it comes to MS).

If you have MS, it's not the end of the world. I certainly don't know if you do or not, I'm just trying to not cause panic. However, it may be useful to tell your mother that optic neuritis is the most common presenting symptom for MS. It *can* be unrelated to MS, but it is certainly NOT be a waste of time to follow this up.

Her response may have more to do with denial that anything might be awry with your health. I can imagine that would be a scary thought to a parent. But I think you may have to explain to her that the most prudent course of action, for the sake of your health in the future, is to follow up with the neuro-opthalmologist.

[HazelSS]

I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well. It is very important to listen to your body and if your instinct is telling you something is amiss you should listen. Not to be disrespectful to your mom, but I would recommend that you follow the advice of your doctor. Have you seen your primary doctor yet? If so, has he run blood tests for Lyme and Mono? At your age you should be feeling on time of the world. Pursue treatment and take good care of yourself.

Best of luck!
Hazel