Doc wants to test me for MS but I think its something else? plz help!

[shay131]

Hello, Im a 20 year old female and for the past, almost 2 months actually, I have been in and out of ER's (about 5 times) because I have been experiencing dizzines, headaches (on the right side), periodic blurred vision, twitching muscles all over (even in the vaginal area, very annoying) and loud sore cracking joints and sore muscles. Every time I have been to the ER my bloodwork has been normal, they did a CT scan of my head and said they found nothing but a cyst in my sinus, which they believe doesnt cause headaches? anyway I finally went to a community clinic, because I have no medical coverage and have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor told me that she feels my symptoms are very similar to MS and she reffered me to see a specialist to have some specific testing done for it. I feel that It is definetly possible but my sore knees and ankles make me feel like it could be something else?I get out of the car in the morning and my knees hurt so bad im walking like my grandpa who has arthritis!! I am still however, able to work, lift, and do all of the things ive always been able to do, i am just alot more pained afterward and during. No falling, tripping, or dropping has ever occured. What do you think? what could this be? or is my doctor right for testing for such? Any information would be greatly appreciated!! kthnxbye =)

[shay131]

Thank you all so much!! very helpful information =) It really puts my mind at ease and hopefully whatever the case it is something that I can handle and deal with.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Your doctor should investigate you for multiple sclerosis since you have multiple neurological symptoms. MS is a chronic demyelinating disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. You also need to be checked for small vessel ischemic disease, cerebral ischemia etc for these MRI lesions. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.

[FurballsMom]

Another thing to consider is that tests for MS don't usually give a definitive answer.  An EEG, for example can actually look similar for both MS and for migraine sufferers.  I have read information that it can often take years for people with MS to even get a definitive diagnosis.

One thing that Fibromyalgia sufferers have to go through is the stress and worry that they might have MS, because the two things can actually resemble one another.  Migraines are common to both illnesses.  Arthritis usually goes hand in hand with Fibromyalgia, though not always.

[JemmAus]

The headaches, dizziness, blurred vision could be migraine.One sided headaches are very typical migraine....

..don't be afraid of MS testing. None of it hurts!

I've got atypical migraines AND MS..yay. I personally think the two are related.

It would be unusual for MS to hurt your actual knees (you mean the bones?). It is usually more muscular pain with MS, not joints..

Try not to worry! (Ha, easier said than done). Hopefully it's migrianes and a spot of arthritis - both treatable.