MS & cognitive disorders

    
      Re: MS & cognitive disorders
    


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Posted by  ccf Neuro MD on July 11, 1997 at 19:15:33:

In Reply to: MS & cognitive disorders posted by Craig Smith on June 29, 1997 at 20:56:08:

: My wife, age 41, was diagnosed with MS 26 years ago. She has been in a Chronc Progressive state since 1993. Approx 3 weeks ago she began to become confused and disoriented. Her Neurologist put her in the hospital as she got to a state of confusion that she couldn't be left alone. A Neuropsychatrist was called in. An MRI showed a large area of active MS in the brain stem. The neurologist says he has never seen this type of symptom caused directly by MS, but the psychatrist says its definetly the MS. She is currently being treated with Haldol, Rhisperdol and Trazadone (excuse the spelling). Can MS cause these kinds of symptoms and are there  any newer medicines that could be used? Is there any further testing that might be done to isolate the cause?
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Dear Craig,  The problem you describe is a complex one and difficult to answer.  People with MS may develop problems with their thinking, especially in later stages of their illness.   Often its in the form of forgetfulness and difficulty processing complex thoughts.  They also may get emotional lability -  where they have difficulty controlling their emotions and swing from one emotional extreme to the other.  A sudden onset of confusion/dirorientation should also provoke a search for possible treatable causes such as infection, as was probably done.    Sometimes people with systemic illness (such as an infection) may