multiple sclerosis or amytrophic lateral sclerosis??

Hello,

I have been previously diagnosed by an ms specialist with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in 2002, another neurologist diagnosed me with ms in 2003, and in between have been hospitalized many times since then for acute ms attacks, and most of the time optic neuritis was a presenting symptom.

I was wondering why my current, new neurologist in 2010, wanted to rule out amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with an emg test. Could it be because I had facial weakness and slurred speech with this last attack, along with muscle weakness in my right arm and hand?

Does anyone know if someone with previous bouts of optic neuritis could be confused for an ALS patient? This is baffling to me, especially since I have had ms exacerbations and have been hospitalized numerous times and each time was hospitalized for "acute ms exacerbation".

I am waiting for the results of this last test and should be getting a call from the neurologist's office any time soon. I am really not frightened of either diagnosis, I am just curious as to why a neuro would visit an alternate theory after such a long time.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mary

[grannyhotwheels]

All I can say is I would be very careful with your new Neurologist. It sorta sounds like he is trying to say, "hey, look at me, I'm smarter than the other guys".  This is just my opinion and I may be dead wrong.  

I have lost count (without looking at my time line) of how many Neurologist I have seen including the top MS specialist at the Mayo Clinic, and for 4 years every single one of them said more or less, it looks like MS, it smells like MS, it tastes like MS, but we are going to keep looking. What the heck?

My last and current Neurologist said the same thing about it looking, smelling, and tasting like MS therefore it is MS, so now we will work on finding which type of MS it is.  That didn't take him to long either.  

Okay, I'm babbling here but do you get what I'm trying to say?  I sure hope so because I don't have a clue what I just said. hahaha  Any way, I think if it where me I would move on to the next one or else have a good heart to heart with him asking why he feels it necessary to start digging for something else after so much time?

His answer may just make you say maybe he's on to something here or it could make you run away fast.  I have found that making that doctor look you in the eye and give you longer than the allotted 10 or 15 minutes to explain himself, is the best way to decide which way you want to go.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[sllowe]

Hi Mary,

I don't understand that either. Unless there was something on exam that he wanted to explore. I'm no expert in ALS, but I've not heard of the ON association mentioned here. Others may be more versed.

It's unfortunate you have had to get a new neuros over the yrs after the 1st and 2nd dx.  Are you treating your MS with a DMd?.    

-shell

[gheko]

So this has been going on since 2002, if it was ALS it is very unlikely you would still be alive so very much doubt it is that.  It only has about a five year lifespan tops.

[mary2010]

Hi Shell,

I am not currently on any dmd for the ms. The neuro mentioned that if he thinks it is MS after the emg test, he will request an authorization for my insurance company to approve Avonex, which he said would take several weeks. So it is basically up to the insurance company to decide my treatment apparently.  

So far I have not heard from either the insurance company or the neurologist to tell me what my diagnosis is and whether I am "approved" for Avonex.


Mary