ms diagnosis

[linda_sue10]

I had a mri July 2009.  said I had atherosclerosis.  I had another mri June 2010 and it was totally normal.  No atherosclerosis.  Whats up with this?
July 2009 I was falling and lossing control of bowels.
Have long suspected MS.
Had one lession on MRI early on {14 years ago)
Had another test early on that was positive for demilinating disease.

Could I have MS?

[linda_sue10]

Dear Lulu

I didn"t mean to not answer your questions.  About going on medication or diet for atheroscierosis, no I did niether.  I was basicly doing the same thing I was always doing.
The MRI was done 2009 because my nurse practioner, (person that has known me for 20 years) suspects MS.  I live in a rural area, so she ordered the test and then sent me to my neuro. It took 2 months to get into see neuro so she didn't want to waste time.

Why do I feel like I have MS?

I had first attack 14 years ago after major surgury.  I had been on realy strong antibiotics.
Had trouble walking.  Would fall if not careful.  Arms were weak and I couldn't raise them to do my hair.  Lasted about 7 months.  

Second attack happened shortly after first one.  Alot of the same symtoms.  Started having eye symtoms.  Things would bounce when I walked or moved my head too fast.  At times couldn't see all numbers on road signs.  Once everything was the color green.  all the symtoms with my eyes seemed to cluster together and then they stopped.

I have alot of strange sensations on my skin.  I have lost the ability to feel heat on my legs.
Also in my mouth.  At one time couldn't feel heat on my lips.  That is back know.  Have lost gag reflex.

I have trouble urinating.  Sometimes I have to really push on my stomach.  Sometimes I can go just fine.

I have to watch my bowels very closely.  I eat alot of fiber.  I am prone to bowel obstuctions.  Other times I have loose stools and can't control them.  I can't feel that I have had a bowel movement until it hits my buttocks.

There are other things but I hope this gives you and idea of what I go through and why I think I might have MS.

Thank you for your interest and I hope to here from you again.

Linda

[linda_sue10]

Hi Julie

My M.D. order a MRI after I had an episode of what seemed to be a seizure.

Everyone seems to rule out seizure.  I am going to have a sleep study (Past studies cannot rule out or diagnose Narcolepsy)

My nurse Practioner ordered the MRI with the spots on it last year because of my symtoms.  I made appointment with my meuro.  She told me the spots were result of my diabetes and nothing else.  She wouldn't even look at the MRI.  My main symtom at that time was pain and falling.  I think she thought I was just wanting pain drugs.  She went on to tell me about another patient that had just duped her.  She had been my neuro for 10 years or more.  I can't understand why it is so hard to be believed.

Thanks for your help

Linda

[Sarahsmom46]

You definitely need an MS work-up.  

Who ordered the MRIs?  Neuro or PCP?

Julie

[linda_sue10]

They used evoked potiential test on leg, arm and eye.  All were positive for demylinating disorder.

My first attact was about 14 years ago.  My first MRI was before that and they found one lesion.

Most of my symtoms are extreme fatigue, memory loss, pain and control of bowels and bladder which comes and goes.  I am on disability and have been for 15 years.  I was a CPA but couldn't handle the stress.

Thanks for responding.

Linda

[Sarahsmom46]

It sounds like the first MRI had what radiologists call "spots" that were suspected as being due to small vessel ischemia.  Neurologists would interpret that as atherosclerosis.  The your next MRI a year later didn't show these "spots". Is that correct?

Do you have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol?  Or other risk factors for heart disease? If not, then that might be a reason there were no spots on your most recent MRI and I would then highly question the original interpretation of them being caused by atherocclerosis.

My understanding is that if the original spots were from small vessel ischemia (atherosclerosis), that once they are there they never go away. They would appear on every MRI you have from that first one on.   I could be wrong, but that is how my attending neurologist in a research study I am in explained it to me.

If the "spots" disappear, then it is not small vessel ischemia and that information is very helpful for a doctor.  It can mean that the spot or what we refer to as a lesion might have healed and grew small enough not to be detected on the MRI.  It doesn't mean that it is gone-gone, just too small to be seen on the MRI.  

So, could this still be MS?  Possibly, but more testing needs to be done and like Lu was asking, how did they determine you had a demylinating disorder.  

We'll be happy to try to help you sort this out.  In the meantime stick around and if you are comfortable, let us know a bit more about how you got to this point.  

Take care.

Julie

[Lulu54]

Hi Linda Sue and welcome to our community. I hope you will find being here beneficial in your search for answers.

I have to back up and ask about the MRI and atherosclerosis.  It is my understanding that this imaging is done of the heart and veins - it is not normally done on the brain, which is where they would look for MS lesions.  

Did they have you on drugs or a special diet for the hardening/thickening of your arterial walls?  

You say you have long suspected MS - can you fill us in on what makes you feel that way?  Instinct is a powerful thing and usually correct.

What was your other test for demelinating disease?  

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I can't say much about your condition on the limited information here.

Welcome again,
Lulu