MS OR NOT? HELP

[jrlexusman]

I am 31 year old confused male who has been though MRI w/out and with contrast, CT scan, blood work, which all came back clean with no lesions.  and with all the symptoms of MS but both nurologists i went to said no to MS and did not want to do a lumber puncture... here are my symptoms

blurry left eye
wierd face penis and legs sensations (numbness) i guess
cannot reach ejaculation when i reach orgasm
tiredness
just dont feel myself
memory problems short/long term

they say it is anxiety but i dont think so...

[Heather3418]

There is one way to find out if these smptoms are related to anxiety and that is to be treated with anti-anxiety medication, under a doctor's close supervision.

I used to suffer from terrible anxiety and panic attacks when I was in my 20's and early 30's.  I got some professional counseling and went on anti-anxiety medications, until I felt I was able to "handle things on my own."

By the way, MedHelp has a great Anxiety Forum if you would like to check that out also.

I wish you the best of luck and please talk to your doctor about some medication and possible professional counseling, as I did.  

By the way, I have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis for 13 years now.  Found out that indeed it was NOT all in my head, as many doctor's suggested.  My first MRI 13 years ago, showed many brain lesions and one in the spinal cord.

Heather

[willowwoman7]

I had an mri in '95 that showed absolutely no lesions. Then I had an MRI in October and it looks like swiss cheese with several large lesions (w/o contrast). The neuro figures I have had MS for a pretty long time. My first symptoms were back in like '84 with leg weakness and fatigue. At that time I was told it was just stress and because I smoked. Then it "was all in my head". It took a long time to put the pidcture together. Are they treating you for anxiety?

[kitten o]

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY,
LOT'S OF GREAT PEOPLE HERE.
MAY I ASK WHAT PART OF N.J. U R FROM?
I LIVE IN N.J. ALSO. I HAVE BEEN TO ABOUT
5 OR 6 DIFFERENT NEURO'S AND MY LAST ONE
DX WITH MS LAST YEAR. IT TOOK ME YRS.
LET ME NO IF I CAN HELP, IF I AM IN YOUR AREA.  
GOD BLESS AND WELCOME ONCE AGAIN
KITT

[jrlexusman]

well, thanks for responding so fast you guys, no i did not see a MS specialist, i did see 2  very high Nueros though that are with very high hospitals in the NJ area the top hospitals that is... they both assured me to no MS as well as the VEP test i took at my eye exam which came back with a clean optic nerve and clean eyes etc. I do have a history of anxiety but never this bad. i have all blood work copies ct and mri copies.. thanks for the suggestion and i will look into it in this area and go see one.....will keep you guys updated. could stress and anxiety do all of this??

[Rena705]

Sound like you have been through quite a bit with your neurologists and gotten nowhere...that is a familiar place to be around here and we call it limboland.  Welcome to the forum and I hope that we can offer you some suggestions that might help you in your journey to a diagnosis.

First of all, you noted that you had seen neurologists, were either of them MS Specialists?  This is very important in that an MS Specialist is trained to read an MRI in a more thorough way than a neurologist and they have the experience in spotting lesions that other neurologists or radiologists do.

When you saw your neurologist, was there a complete history taken?  Did the Neurologist do a complete, head to toe, in-office examination?  This examination would on average last more that 1/2 hour and this can tell the MS Specialist about your mental status, cranial nerves, motor skills, coordination and gait, reflexes and senses.  

I would suggest that if you have not seen an MS Specialist that you should have your g.p/pcp refer you to one.  This is very important part of seeking a diagnosis...you wouldn't want the baker working on your car would you?  ha ha  Having the doctor you need in a journey that can be long and as complicated as this is the most important step that you can take.  Evoked response testing is another type of testing whereby your nerves reaction to stimulation is tested.  

If you in fact have not seen an MS Specialist, I would suggest that you obtain CD copies of your MRI's and get an appointment to see one as soon as you can.  

Please know that we are here to provide as much support and information as we possibly can and you are more than welcome to come here with any questions, concerns, venting, laughter whatever it takes.  We are here 24/7 for you.

Lots of Hugs,

Rena

[Heather3418]

On what basis do the Neurologists think this is all anxiety related?  

It would be important to know what you physical exam in the office showed.  Did it show any abnormalities, that would prompt your doctor's to order MRI's, blood work and the like?  Are you having relapsing and remitting symptoms, or are they all the time?

Possibly if you give us a little more information, we might be able to offer some suggestions.  Thank you for posting and welcome to the MS Forum.

Best Wishes,
Heather