Help with the math?

[packergirl4]

After living with pain, blurred vision and balanc eissues since my early twenties and having a Fibromyalgia diagnosis for numbness, fall , partial remiting paralysis, fatigue and pain for the last eight years I was just hospitalized with slurred speech, face pain body & hand tremors.  This time the c-spine mri showed lesions.  The hospital says MS see a neurologist in two weeks.  Neurologist says can't get in until january 29.  When they diagnose this as MS do they consider the last 15 years of symptoms and flares or do they take it from this most current flare to help determine the course of the disease and what treatment to try?  

Oooop...I forgot...Hi, my name is Denee (pronounce duh-nay) I live in Arizona and feel as though my prayers have finally been answered.  I now know what is disabling me.

[Super_sally888]

Hi Denee,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you had to come here, but you have come to a place with great and warm people.  Some people here are diagnosed, some are not.  I am one of the not.

I am sure they will be looking at your history in making a diagnosis.  That along with the MRI and probably they will request a LP.  Though in truth, from what you have said, I suspect they would make the diagnosis without it.

Now your job is too find out what you can and also your treatment options.  There are drugs which can slow the progression.  Also people here can advise on coping.  You will also need to make sure your doctor is competent and you are happy working with him or her.  You will have a long-term relationship with him/her.

Please post any questions you have however small or big.  Also feel free to vent if ever needed.  This is also a great place for aht.

Sometime there are a lot of posts, so if your post is not answered you will need to bump it up to the top again.  You do this by doing to your post and writing a short comment or even "bump" and posting it.  Then people will see it again and answer.

Take care.

Sally

[Wobbly]

Welcome, it's good that you now know what has been bothering you, I'm not a expert at this, pretty new at the forum and still waiting for a Dx.  Keep us in touch of how you are and how things are going.  

Take Care

[dreamyeyes]

     Can't really answer your question as I am pretty much in the wait and see process as you are, but I did want to say "Wellcome to the Forum!!!"

[Heather3418]

Welcome to the forum.  I am sorry to hear that you have been having so much trouble.

I have been diagnosed with MS for 12 years.  To answer your question about where the doctor's start with the symptoms...they go back to when your symptoms first started.  This is very important when considering a diagnosis of MS.  It's not only the lesions they are looking for, but abnormalities on physical exam, but relapses and remission of symptoms.  Flair-ups that last more than 24 hours and may persist for a week or longer.  The symptoms may totally disappear after that, or some may remain.  Then you go into a remission as they call it.  It DOES sound like you have had many relapses and remissions.

The one thing that I do not see is a spinal tap.  Have you had one done?  If not, it can give the doctor's alot of information.  It's not a pleasant test, but can be invaluable for finally getting that diagnosis.  I have only had to have ONE spinal tap in the 12 years since I have been diagnosed.  What they look for in the spinal fluid is oligoliconal banding (sp) (I never spell it right)  This is a sign of inflammation in the Central Nervous System.  Once this banding is seen, it never goes away, unless of course, the reason FOR the inflammation is cured. So far, of course, we have no cure for MS.  

I would talk to your doctor when you see him on January 29th.  I really feel that he will want to do a spinal tap, commonly known as an LP.  Lumbar Puncture.  Ask him if he suggests the test, that it be done with flouroscopy.  This is a way for them to see exactly where they need to extract the spinal fluid and makes the testing so much easier.  You may want to ask for a little something to keep you calm.  Sedation is often asked for and given.  It really helps with the anxiety.  Like I said, not a great test but a very, very important one, if you want your doctor's to be thorough in their testing for MS.

I am so glad that you decided to post, Denee.  We are so glad that you are here.  You are now among friends, who will never let you down.  You will find that you are "adopted" quickly into this bunch.  We are serious and humorous at the same time.  That's the only thing that keeps us sane.  Again WELCOME.

Best Wishes, Heather
MS Forum Moderator