Should I do anything more?

[RamsInfiniti]

Hey all.  First, let me say THANK YOU for all the support you've given me over the past couple of weeks.  Knowing that there are others out there who understand and care makes things a little less scary.  For those who aren't familiar with me, here's a rundown of my situation:

28 y/o male, Southern U.S.
I am 6-4, 250 lbs, high triglycerides (850), cholesterol (260, and low HDL (25)
This diagnoses me with metabolic syndrome
Symptoms are tingling and some hypersensitivity in hands and feet, right sided perceived weakness, hyperreflexia in ankles, no other symptoms
Heat or exertion doesn't seem to exaggerate my symptoms
Stress does have a negative effect on my symptoms
I am out the high limit on B12, good on folate, all other blood good, except elevated platelets (382) and MCHC (35.9)

I visited the neurologist and had a good NCV and EMG.  Sensation was normal to *****, no balance issues, the only thing that was noted was the ankle hyperreflexes.  Based on my etiology, he estimated maybe 50/50 on MS.  However, this is definitively my found event.

MRI done on Brain w/wo contast in October 2004 reads as follows:

The lateral ventricles, sulci, and basal cisterns are intach and eneffaced.  No mass, mass effect, or extra-axial fluid collections are seen.  The pituitary, corpus callosum, brain stem, pons, and medulla apppear normal.  The cerebellum and cerebral white/gray matter reveal no abnormal signal.  The orbits are intact and appear normal.  The paranasal sinuses demonstrate mucoperiosteal thickening within the bilateral frontal and ethomoid sinuses.  Following gadolinim contrast, no abnormal intracranial enhancement was see.

IMPRESSION: Bilateral frontal and ethmoid sinusitis

MRI done on cervical spine w/wo contrast in April 2008:

IMPRESSION: No abnormalities seen.  It should be noted that there was minimal enhancement in the annular region at C5/C6.  This may or may not be symptomatic and is indicative of a central disc bulge and slight annular tear.

MRI done on brain w/wo contrast in May 2008:

The corpus callosum is normal in appearance.  The midline structures as seen on the sagittal images are normal.  The patient has inflammatory changes in both maxillary sinuses as well as the ethmoids.  No large air-fluid level is noted, however.  There is no evidence of altered diffusion seen on the diffusion weighted sequences.  The axial images demonstrate normal midline anatomy.  No evidence of hydroencephalus is seen.  There is no evidence of a focal area of demyelinating plaque suspected.  No focal alteration in signal intensity is seen in the cerebral hemispheres.  The patient was injected with gadolinium and subsequent images acquired failed to demonstrate evidence of other focal or diffuse abnormal enhancement.  

IMPRESSION: The patient has no evidence of multiple sclerosis identified.  No abnormailities are seen on this study other than mild inflammatory sinus disease.

I was wigging out waiting for that result.  However, now I am in limbo.  What do you guys think I should do from here?  He wants to see me again in six months.

[wonko]

I second Super_sally888's advice!

I think it is very good that the doc wants to re-evaluate in 6 months.  If you were being dismissed, no follow-up would be suggested.  So it sounds like the doc is listening to your concerns and will see this through with you.

I am pretty much in the same boat, floating in limbo.  And as recommended above, I am using my time between check ins with the neuro to work on my overall health.  I've quit smoking, drinking, and have made some big efforts to improve my diet.  (Staying away from processed foods & artificial sweeteners, no more take out, buying more fresh, whole foods.)  I'm also exercising a lot more.

That all sounds like a drag, but the way I see it, not taking good care of yourself just makes it more difficult for the doctor's to figure out what is wrong.  The more unknowns, the harder it is to solve the equation.  So by cleaning up my act, it should make their job easier, and I also think it shows the doc that I am truly concerned and interested in my health.

Finally, as lots of people on this forum know, waiting is no fun.  You can really feel like you have no control over either your symptoms, or the doctors.  But taking steps toward being more healthy is in your control.  I'm not sure why, but that just makes me feel better during this time.

Good luck and take care!

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

well I reckon everything looks pretty good for you at the moment, and your doctor wanting to follow up in 6 months sounds reasonable given the findings.  He's still monitoring you and you can always see him sooner if anything gets worse or changes.

Ok, you are having some symptoms, but these could be from the metabolic syndrome as well.

So for the next 6 months, focus on getting as healthy as possible.  For metabolic syndrome ask your dr about using metformin.  It has been helpful for some in getting things under control.  Exercise.  Diet.  All this won't hurt and you can be keeping yourself busy and as well as possible in the meantime.

Take care & do hang around and keep us informed with how you're doing.

Sally