White Matter Disease or MS

[Wondel]

Recently had an MRI or the brain.  .  Neuro said there was changes in my brain could be due to the HPB or MS.  I have never been diagnosised with MS   I had another MRI of my C-spine (all without contrast) and haven't gotten the results.  While I was looking at my order form, I noticed Dx of White Matter Disease.  What is that?  For 3 years I have been having weakness/fatigue in my lower extremities. I tire very easily.   On occassion I have weakness with tremors in my arms. At one point I was unable to move my arm over my head.   I have also had muscle spasms in my legs.  My back aches to the point I do not want to get out of bed at times.  My neck hurts when I bend it toward my chest.  I have occassional vision problems, i.e. blurry vision, pain in one eye.  My memory is getting worse.  For 3 years I have been diagnosised with things like muscle spasms, restless leg syndrome, possible focal seizures, gout, fibromyalgia.  among other things.  I have had a brace made for my foot, because of "foot drop" been given a cane because it causes an "unsteady gait".  I just want a diagnosis of something that I can understand what is happening to me instead of being treated like I am psycho or a hypochrondriac.  A previous MRI of my T spine said I had leisons on my spine but also narrowing of the spine but that was 3 years ago and not another one ordered since.  Do I just need a new neuo or do I need to pin him now???  I don't understand all this...

[Wondel]

Thanx for your reply.  All this has been so confusing.  Today has been a bad day.  I haven't had any symptoms of anything beside my back for a few months, but today walking has become a task, along with the severe pain in my eye.  I will stay with this neuro for a few months longer.  He has already ordered more MRI's along with the nerve conductions tests on my arms and legs in one month as opposed to other doctors have have suggested the this and that.  Of course the nerve conduction tests showed nothing, but after being stuck by sharp objects, I felt nothing in the lower extremeties.  I don't want to sound bad, but I am glad to finally know there are others who are experiencing the same as me and can help guide me in the right direction.  

[supermum_ms]

I'd hang off getting an appointment with an MS specialist for the moment, if you've only been seeing your neurologist for a month!

It's pretty common for neurologist to have not diagnosed someone in that type of time frame, that's relatively quick and not really the average time frame for a neurological condition to be diagnosed. If your neuro has already mention MS to you as a possible cause, and you've still got test results to come in and possibly more test to come. It might be better for you to get through the diagnostic process and wait until after his opinion has been made before considering if you need to replace him.

You can always get a second opinion with an MS specialist, after your test results and diagnosis is made if you feel it's still worth doing.....

Cheers..........JJ

[Wondel]

Thanks for the responses.  At least I don't feel so crazy now!.  I didn't know there was MS specialist.  Will have to check for the nearest one. As for MS being suggested sooner, it had been suggested along with MG but no MRI's, or any other test was ever performed.  Only the MRI of my L spine around 3 years ago.  I was repeatedly sent to ortho for my complaints.  It is difficult to try to explain to a MD your symptoms when they aren't occurring at that moment.   I have only been following a neuro for about a month.  I had saw a previous neuro and he suggested the focal seizures and RLS.  I of course, said your nuts!!!  and refused to go back.  If I have MS, i am aware that the prognosis is favorable unlike what it used to be.  I just want a diagnosis of something I can understand instead of feeling left in the dark wandering around feeling like no one understands.  I didn't know there was such a thing as MS specialist.... Thanks for the advice.  I will look for one ASAP

[HVAC]

MS can take years to diagnose. Neurologists like to follow you over time. Many times repeating MRIs every six months or yearly. The way they think is it is not MS until they rule all other possibilities out and there are many. They go by history, symptoms, a neurological exam, MRIs, blood tests to rule out many other illnesses, and a Lumbar puncture. No test rules MS in or out.

All my tests showed MS from the start but no neurologist would diagnose me for two years. They kept saying you will be diagnosed with MS. I thought they were stringing me along until I found out many people do not get diagnosed quickly.

Alex

[bbassel]

I agree with JJ 100 percent. I am actually surprised with everything going on and the sspinal lesions that MS. Wasn't brought up sooner.

I have a brace for my foot ddrop and have unsteady gait as well. I also have xtreme back pain due to my spinal lesions.

A second opinion with a MS specialist is a great idea. Good luck,

Barb

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

White matter disease is fairly common in people 65+ and it's basically inter related to ischemic vascular disease. Considering your 44 and you've already got spinal cord lesions (that cause 'a lot' but not 'all' of your symptoms), MS would be more likely than WMD for your age group.

You are definitely not a "hypochondriac" and anyone who suggests you are, just accidentally have a jerking muscle spasm and smack them up side their head :D

Spinal cord lesions are highly associated with MS, and if you also had brain lesions even if they were not specified, the actual location of any brain lesions when added to your clinical signs, symptom, spinal MRI would of put MS quite high on your list of potential causes. Do you know if your brain MRI mentioned anything at all?

Personally, i do think you should get a second opinion with a neurologist that specialises in MS. It might not be MS but for your age group, with spinal cord lesions and the suggestive visual symptoms, MS is definitely on your list and a fresh opinion may be in your best interest now...

Cheers.........JJ