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MS and MRIs

I have had bouts of various MS-like symptoms over the past year, from eye pain, headaches, numbness and needles in feet, cramps in feet and legs, swallowing problems, and more. I had an MRI of my brain only last week, and the radiologist didn't see any lesions (but there did show quite a bit of diffused "atrophy"). My quesion is: is it possible to have a disease like MS but the only place the lesions appear in the spinal nerves, (not the brain)?
I can't get in to see a neurologist for a month, and I'm troubled by the shakiness and eye pain and headaches and numb pain and cramping in my feet, and wondering if the brain atrophy is related or what....
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response. Because the radiologist didn't see any lesions in the brain MRI, my understanding is that there is no MS. I was thinking it was possible to have lesions on the schwann cells on the spinal nerves, without necessarily lesions in the brain... but apparently that is not so. I have "episodes" where I have all of the symptoms you mention. At time the swallowing was so difficult I had to consciously force my muscles to swallow. Often during the night I felt I was choking. I have also had chest pains that scared me, and such pain in hmy toes, feet, and calves as to wake me in the middle of the night. Also sharp needle-like pain in my right eye, and every now and then 3 or 4 days of chronic pain in my right temple that no pain reliever can get rid of. Then there's the shaky feeling, even making it hard to walk down stairs. For a period of time I had trouble walking across a room without holding on to something, but that's all oka now. I also had some depression last summer and fall, so the doc put me on a seratonnin re-iptake inhibitor, thinking maybe my physical symptoms were related to that as well. But it hasn't changed anything. I've lost 10 pounds (assume it's muscle mass) without changing my diet. They tested my blood sugar (fine), cholesterol (perfect) and other things. The brain atrophy (when I looked at the images from the back of the head) was a significant piece at the top of my brain, and some views showed two areas that diffused down like round areas from that top piece. I am 46 years old, completely healthy and have been exercising my whole life. Never smoked. Drink 2 glasses of red wine maybe 5 nights a week. Have had three children, the youngest 6 years ago. No menopausal symptoms.
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Avatar universal
Hi Burgie,
How are you feeling now?
MS can cause changes in sensation, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; difficulties with coordination and balance; problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment, or depression.
The initial attacks are often transient, mild and self-limited. The most common initial symptoms reported are: changes in sensation in the arms, legs or face (33%), complete or partial vision loss (optic neuritis) (16%), weakness (13%), double vision (7%), unsteadiness when walking (5%), and balance problems (3%); but many rare initial symptoms have been reported such as aphasia or psychosis.
There are definitive guidelines, on which the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is based. There are definitive lesions (suggestive of MS) present on MRI also.
Once internationally accepted criteria’s are satisfied, then diagnosis of multiple Sclerosis can be made.
It is not possible to have Spinal MS.
Your brain atrophy might be related to shakiness.
Which part of brain is being reported as having atrophy?
I think you should wait for neurologist to evaluate and take a call once you have met.
Alternatively you can visit ER if symptoms are annoying.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
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