list of all my symptoms MS, ALS or something other

[jlbchhlz]

here are my full symptoms, the list is long:

2 weeks ago (on a sunday) i woke up not feeling within my body.
extreme fatigue
muscle weakness
dizziness and to the point of fainting for a few seconds.  NOt a result from standing up to quickly.  Can come at anytime.
on the following Tuesday i noticed my left eye vision was poor.  I can't see things coming at me from my left side and have been bouncing into walls hitting my nose on the left side
I went to my dr who did a blood work up and showed mild hyperthyroidism
An MRI with contrast showed no significant findings except a scar on my L6 and I have had surgery previously from S1 - L5
The MRI showed degenreative disc disease on by C6-C7 spine
My brain appeared normal
My eye dr did a peripheal eye test which showed loss of peripheial vision in my left eye
Last week my contrast vision was poor, it has improved slightly in my left eye
I cannot lift my eyebrows, I lift my forhead
my left side of my face sags lower than my right
I lose balance when standing on my left leg after 2 seconds, my right side does better
I walk with a gait on my left leg
i have muscle weakness on my left side, pins and needles and pain
My speech is slurred somewhat not noticed by me but by others, I on the other hand have noticed that when I speak I mix up letters and need to speak slowly to get the words out correctly
Today I woke up with my left hip hurting
I am scheduled next week for a lumbar puncture and another EPV test. I also am seeing my eye dr the following week for possible steroid use as i was diagnosed with optic neuritis
blood tests showed a slight increase in thryoid activity but my TSH levels were normal

If all diagnostic tests come back negative, is this all in my head?  The MS specialist did not rule out MS but wants more diagnostic testing.  If the diagnostic tests come back negative could this be my first episode that is not showing diagnostically yet?  Could this be ALS insteady?  My drs don't want me returning to work until a diagnosis is found. Unfortunately, I won't get paid for being out of work which causes more stress.  My husband is fully disabled and I was the "bread winner".

[jlbchhlz]

Is Dr House in the house?

[mary_kay]

Believe me, there is such a long list of things it could be.  That's why MS is so hard to diagnose.  Where is Dr. House when we need him?!   Hang in there, and read everything you can get your hands on.  You are not imagining this.  
Blessings,
Mary Kay

[jensequitur]

It's tough when all the tests come back negative.  All in your head?  If it's MS, then yes, it's all in your head - or in your neck, or your thoracic spine.  If you're having a symptom, the symptom is there.

With optic neuritis and your other symptoms, I would definitely push for more diagnostic tests.  You could be suffering from a B12 deficiency, or have transverse myelitis, or be suffering from some other condition that is more treatable than MS.  I don't know for sure, but ALS progresses faster and doesn't include cognitive problems.  If you're having problems speaking clearly, then it sounds more like MS.

Good luck!  I know how stressful it can be to be the sole breadwinner in the family.