I'm not a doctor but have done a lot of research since I have many of your symptoms. The only evidence I see of MS is ON. You may want to research lyme disease. It can cause all of these symptoms, including ON. A negative test does NOT rule it out. Also, how are your knee reflexes, hyperactive or hypoactive? Hyperactive reflexes would indicate central nervous system disorder like MS. Hypoactive reflexes would be more consistent with CIDP. Have you seen an MS specialist?
I had a lyme test run, negative. Don't know the difference in hyperactive and hypoactive. I have not seen an MS specialist. About 2 weeks ago, had pin ***** test, toes, feet, ankles and calves. I did not feel pain from the pricks.
Hello.
MS is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is diagnosed only when all other possible and common causes of the symptoms are ruled out. Optic neuritis is a fairly positive indicator of MS. But you need to rule out any condition which has optic neuritis as a cause. One of them is the Devic's disease. It is also called as Neuromyelitis Optica. In Devic's, you will see spinal cord lesions as well as the optic neuritis. Devic's is not totally different from MS, but it has a limited course.
What patsy10 meant by hyperactive and hypoactive reflexes was either an increased or a reduced response of the muscles to stimulation. When muscle tendons are given a stimulation, if the muscle contracts / jerks briskly or is hyperactive, it is an upper motor neurone lesion. If the response is hypoactive, it is a lower motor neuron lesion. CIDP is an example of that. Cutting the nerve sheath will not lead to demyelination.
You have motor, sensory and autonomic symptoms. MS can not be diagnosed only from MRI. Hence, it is possible that you have MS and still have a normal MRI. I would recommend a detailed discussion with your Neurologist.
Regards
One of the ways doctors check your reflexes is by tapping just below your knee with the rubber hammer. Hyperactive or brisk reflexes will show up when the leg kicks out fast and far (reflex). Mine were so hyperactive I could have kicked him in the face! hypoactive or diminished reflexes would show just the opposite response. The leg would kick out very little or none at all. Does this make sense? I would strongly recommend seeing an MS specialist. This is a neurologist (neuroimmunologist) who specializes in MS and/or diseases mimicking MS. You can find one at a large, teaching facility.
I can not thank you enough for taking the time to answer my post. I have learned more from your post than from my Doctors here. My reflexes are slow but I did not know that it mattered.
I thank you and Patsy for the information, I will take it with me when I see my Doctor. Again, thank you very much, I now know not to give up on a diagnosis. I will continue the fight.