Possible MS?

I am a 42 yr old female who was diagnosed with Hypertension 4/07 and hypothyroid in 12/06.   My Dr. had a MRA w/o contrast done  May 07 because of constant dizziness, balance issues and numbness on left torso and later left arm with pain.  The results are as follows:  No evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage or acute infarct. No extra-axial fluid collections. Normal major arterial intracranial flow voids are seen.  Some mild sphenoethmoidal mucosal thickening..  No air fluid levels in the paranasal sinuses. No bone marrow replacing lesions in the calvarium.   …There are several scattered small foci of abnormal signal within the supratentorial white matter bilaterally. Since I have suffered from migraines since childhood she felt it made sense,
My Dr. sent me to a Neuro.   The Neurologist requested a carotid artery ultrasound which he said was normal and a MRI (11/07) for the reason of TIA/Paresthesia.  The results are as follows:
No areas of restricted diffusion and diffusion-weighted images to indicate the presence of acute ischemia.  In the white matter posterior to the occipital horn of the right lateral ventricle there is an oval shaped 8 to 9 mm focus of signal hyper intensity seen on Flair and T2 weighted images.  There is a second smaller area of signal hyper intensity along upper right lateral margin of the body of the right lateral ventricle.  There are some diffuse areas of signal hyper intensity along the ventricular margins.  Orbits, paranasal sinuses, sella, and cerbellopontine angles are unremarkable in appearance.  
Impression:  There is periventricular white matter disease suspicious, but not specific for MS.  Clinical correlation is requested.
I had seen an eye specialist for vision problems in my right eye in 2006.  Nothing was found.  I had difficulty swallowing Feb. 2007 – nothing was found.  I have had pins and needles in my feet, cold hands and feet, burning sensations in my left leg, stiff painful calves, heavy legs, vibrations sensations in left leg, numbness in face and top part of left arm and lip spasms and exhaustion.  These come and go.  The consistent symptoms are dizziness, loss of balance and numbness/tickling sensations on left torso.
Now my Dr. says she is suspicious of Ms and is referring me to another Neurologist.  Is she on the right track?    Thank you.  AMS

[amas]

Can some please help?

[LATW]

I would see an MS specialist. Skip the second neurologist and go right to an MS clinic. I know this from experence! I saw two regular neurologist before I went to an MS clinic.

I should have went right ot the MS clinic. It would have saved me from 9 months of wonerding and no treatment.

I can not read all of your post because of my vision. But from what I can follow in your post I would certainly get myself to an MS clinic.  


LA

[amas]

Thank you for responding.  I have thought about requesting a MS specialist because in reading the posts I have realized that I may have had this for a while.  More and more is making sense to me now.  Do you know if Lhermittes is always a painful sensation.  About 3 1/2 years ago i had episodes of my kness wanting to give out with a buzzing sensation, everytime i looked down while walking.   Amas.

[LATW]

I have experenced Lhermittes and it was not exactly painful to me guess.

I would say iIt was uncomfortable. Kind of like being snapped by a rubber band.

Maybe that is pain....My doctor told me I don't feel pain normally. So I would say it probably is painful in some situations.  

With all you have going on plus your MRI you really do need and Ms specialist!

LA

[essdipity]

Hi and welcome. Lhermittes' painfulness is kind of relative. Electric shock sensations when bending the neck are never fun, of course, but whether they are actually painful depends on the individual.

ess

[LATW]

Sorry for all of my weird spelling today!  My brain and fingers are not together today.  

[amas]

I'm feeling the same way today.  My vision is bad today.  I have good days and bad days with my vision and I couldn't understand it.  I just picked up new reading glasses a few weeks ago and they just don't help.  Amas

[Heather3418]

I would bet, having a diagnosis of MS myself for over a decade, that it would be safe to say that your lesions ARE in a typical location for Multiple Sclerosis and also the SHAPE of most MS lesions.

I am with LA.  GO straight to a MS Specialist.  I would skip a regular Neuro all together.  

Hope you get answers soon.  That's a pretty large lesion you have...

Best Wishes,
Heather

[kitten o]

WELCOME,
LIKE ALL SAY ABOVE I AGREE.
STRAIGHT TO MS DOCTOR.
THAT WILL BE YOUR BEST BET.
GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME AGAIN.
KITT

[Quixotic1]

Big SNAFU.  I fractured a molar tonight.  It 's the one next to the tooth that triggers my Trigeminal Neuralgia.  I'm in a lot of pain, but I see my MS Neuro tomorrow morning.  I'm worried because I have read that having dental procedures can really complicate and worsen the TN pain.  I'm pretty sure this will lead to a root canal.

Rena - do you have any knowledge about whether they recommend a regular dentist or whether they use a specialized doc like an oral surgeon. If the hit the nerve with the shot ---I don't even wnat to think about it.

Be back when I can.

Quix

[monotreme]

Quix,
  For a root canal, you should go to an endodontist.  All they do is root canals. I am a severe dental phobic and had to have three in two months.  A good endodontist will get the job done quickly.

  I also take 2mg of ativan and ask for nitrous oxide.

  I am feeling your anxiety.  Let us know what happens.
Elaine

[Quixotic1]

In my pain I posted in the wrong thread.  I am so sorry.  Thank you, Elaine.  Sorry, Amas.  I'd like to comment on your post later! q

[vanhawk48]

Hello to  all
I   don't  post  very often , but  I love  to  read  the posts , to educate  myself , and  join
in   the  prayers .
I  understand  there are  no  two  persons with  MS  or  possible  MS , who  can  display  identical  symptoms  , but  I  have  never  found  anyone  with  symptoms  as  close  to  mine  as  Ams .
Yes  , I   have  been  Dx  in  September of  last  year .
I  have  not  known  anything  about  this  disease  until  Dec. 06 , and  my  first  ever  brain  MRI .
Based  upon my  medical  record , I  have  complained  about  different  symptoms for last  12 years (  four  episodes of  vertigos , numbness  along  left side of my  body , nubmness  under feet , painful  hip  and  arm and  few  odthers ).
Since  few  months  I  have  L'Hermitte  sign .
At  first  it was  kind  of  waek  electric  shock  in  my  left  leg .
Now  it  gets  stronger , and  goes into my  both  legs .
I  don't  feel  it  in  my spine , but  starts   in  my  hips  area .
Mine  is  not  painful , but  it's  something  you  would  rather  avoid .
It's  very  distinct , and  it  may  travel  in  many  different  pathways .
Lately  , I  feel  it   in  my  arms .
Heat  makes  my  symptoms  more  visible .
I  loose  balance  and   I  stumble .
Good  luck  to  you  Ams
This  blog  gathers   the   best   MS  crowd . It  is  the  most  friendly  bunch , you  can  wish  for  , if  you  have to face  this  unpredictable  disease .

[amas]

Thank you to all who responded to my post a couple of days ago. I have contacted my Dr. office and requested a referral to an MS specialist and am awaiting a response.  I am making a list and timeline of my many symptoms that can be ms related and would like some help.  When I was about 25 (I am 42) I had seen an eye doctor for pain in one eye when i looked sideways.  He found nothing but recommended I see my doctor.  Pain stopped and doctor didn't do anything about it.  Could this have been ON.  Is it relevant to mention.  As noted earlier I have had issues with one eye more recent and nothing is found.  Next, I read somewhere that sleep apnea is/or could be neurological.  About 10 years ago I had an issue waking up at night gasping for breath as if i was holding my breath while sleeping.  My doc. didn't take me seriously.  Is there a relationship here?  I have never been able to handle a spa or hot bath.  It makes me shaky and I am wornout for hours afterwards. This goes back to my twenties.  Burning pain in leg goes back 10 years.  It has not been continuous but thats the first time I remember it.  Do I need to mention this far back.  I don't want this diagnosis but i see that there is a good possibility.  I hope to avoid having a LP done, if it gets there.  I can handle pain but when I was in labor with my third child i needed and epidural and that spot hurt me for 9 months. It was terrible.  What should I include?  Thank you all in advance for your time.  This is a great group.

Quixotic, I can see myself making that same mistake.  No problem and I hope you too can comment on my post.  Amas

[spastic]

Hello Amas and Welcome.  I don't know what I can add that others have not. Definately make a timeline, I would write down everything including the eye thing. Anything that is bothersome is worth mentioning to the dr. My timeline is 3 pages long and I really hope the dr reads it. I am un-dx'd. Good luck and I hope you get to see the MS specialist.

Spastic Ada

[kimbykat]

I have a lot of the same symptoms and also have a thyroid condition (Hashimotos). It's aweful being in limbo and it sounds like you've had symptoms now for many years! I really feel for anyone suffering so long with so many weird and difficult to explain symptoms. I also hope you get to see an MS specialist and that they are able to help you.

Best wishes!

[amas]

I'm not diagnosed yet.  
One of my constant issues in the past two years has been vertigo and/or dizziness.  What is the difference?

I used to get the spinning in one direction episode that could work up to one minute.  The last two weeks my sensation has changed.  I feel as though i am constantly starting a spell but it does not follow thru.  This is occuring more often, too many times a day.  Many times it feels as though my knees go weak and a couple of times I felt nauseated.  I have noticed that when i am reading the screen i tend to get them more often.  It does seem to happen with the smallest of movements.  It really is getting to me.  My balance is not good.

I'm waiting for a return call from my doctor but is there something i can take to help it out and does this sound familiar to anyone.

Anamaria