MS question

[jcvhr1970]

I'm a 36y/o female. Started having significant balance issues back in Feb/March. Would have several bad days then several good days. Have feelings of spasms in ears and facial pain and numbness as well as fatigue and cognitive fog. Saw audiologist because I thought it was my ears they said go to GP. Finally went GP mid April had MRI showed "a least 2 foci of T2 hyperintensity in base of right and left pons. (Balance nerve-8th cranial nerve) Went to neuro (at MS clinic) he does alot tests says he can't tell could be could not be. (cognitive, blood work up no EVP) Sent me for contrast MRI 2 weeks ago haven't heard a thing. I have a follow up on 26th. They told me he would call but he hasn't. Do doctors usually wait for follow up to tell whats going on? I'm sure they would call if it were 'Really" bad but would they just wait for follow up if it was MS? I still have issues and they come and go except the fatigue that is pretty constant. Would the ear, dizzy, pons thing all be related to MS? I'm trying to figure out if I should just go to ENT?  Any input would be appreciated. Thnaks much

[Joanna Fong, MD]

Hi jcvhr1970.  I agree with your neurologist that the hyperintense lesions on the pons can be multiple sclerosis (MS) or other forms of demyelinating diseases similar to MS.  MS is caused by dysregulation of the peripheral immune system leading to injury in the central nervous system. Its pathogenesis requires the combination of a genetically susceptible individual and a particular environmental trigger.  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) separated in space and time.

Ninety percent of affected adults have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with a clinical course characterized by intermittent attacks of increased disability followed by either partial or complete recovery to their baseline functioning.

It is important to monitor the disease by both your symptoms and imaging (MRI).  Typically, MRI needs to be done routinely to monitor the progression of the lesions.   In additional to imaging studies such as MRI, lumbar puncture is key to support the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases.

Other forms of demyelinating diseases are:  acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), transverse myelitis, Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) also known as Devic's disease.

Other possible but less likely causes:

1) Stroke (MRI of brain should be able to tell whether the lesions are related to stroke).
2) CNS Infection (Acute bacterial or viral infections, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, syphilis, and HIV
Mitochondrial disease)  
3) Vitamin deficiency B12, folate  
4) CNS malignancy (Lymphoma, high grade glioma)
5) Granulomatous diseases (Neurosarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis)
6) Inflammatory disease (ADEM, SLE, Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Sjogren's disease, Behcet's disease)

Good luck.

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY.  PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT.

[jcvhr1970]

FYI-I'm posting this in several places just trying to give more detail everytime. (total neurotic of me!) Thanks again

[caramac22]

hi can't help a lot.

are you in the UK? sounds like you are saying GP.  if you are in the UK then they won't give you info on the phone. either they will write to your GP or more likely give your results at the follow up.  anyhow good luck and i hope you get answers soon.  its hell not knowing.

[caramac22]

sorry, relly can't help a lot. are you in the Uk? i think you might be saying GP. if you are, the hospitals will not give results over the phone. either they will write to your gp or tell you directly at the follow up. hope this helps. good luck as the waiting and not knowing is the worst part. i hope you get answers soon.

[JonM]

When I was diagnosed with MS, my neurologist really wanted to rule out everything else first.  MS is not clear, positively defined so it has a tendency to be whats left.  They also may hesitate since your clinical presentation isn't classic MS.  Have you had any vision problems? or feeling of weakness in a leg or arm? Even years ago?  If it is MS don't fret over the slow diagnosis, its kinda like "hurry up and wait", since it is slow in progression and is rarely deadly and there's no cure, there's not much to gain (other than peace of mind) getting it diagnosed a little quicker.

[[e-mail]]

my storey

I had my legs go numb,had electric shocks, had burning.
had my leg feel like jello and gave out on me.walked with a cane
last year

I later found out it was late stage of neurologic lyme disease.
many dumb Dr.'s misdiagnosed me for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE get checked through Igenex lab  in CA.
or MDL  lab in NJ
NOT QUEST...

wake up people this is a serious problem



and doctors are down playing this disease! insurance Companies
don't wanna pay long time meds.

It took IV of Rocephin for 3 months ( it's hard on Gallbladder)
had Clarthmycin & Doxy now Mino, Plaqinal,Mepron switched on
and off for 13 months.I walk much better, I had it BAD!
it takes time.so hang tuff

Lyme Disease  is wide spread through out USA and UK
it is more so in the Eastcoast.

please check out Lymedisease.net

all the sites read peoples stories
everyone has different symtoms but same disease.
I have gone misdiagnosed for 8 years.
no rash no bulls eye,I dragged my leg and my brain is foggy,
it hit me after my back fusion surgery
so this was in my body and a trauma set it off.

my eyes had floaters
my ears were TOO sensitive my eyes too.
I cough ALOT
my headaches and joint pains are better and my balance is better
I walk at a faster gate then before.

I still can't run
I walk upstairs slowly but better then before.
kneecaps stll hurt abit still.
My anixety and beating heart is better,
I cry less my moods are better
my groin pain is gone,
I'm not constipated as before (acidilphilus helps everyday)
My memorie and writing is still not great.
the electric shock  down my legs & burning in hands are gone.
my ankles are numb and toes too, but lessen up abit

my right side is worse then left but leg numbness isn't like it was.

all because of antibiotics and time.
find a GOOD Infectious disease Dr. even if you must travel.

some come to a Dr. in Hyde Park NY. from UK.

AND  A SPINAL TAP does not show up signs of lyme
you can lose your mind,your emotions, your muscles
it can effect your heart,joints,GI tract, eyes, brain
Central nervous system,.ears,sinus,headaches, feel SO Tired

I have had MRI's showing spinal lessions, brain MRI the same though now they don't see them
I had CT scans of chest,eye nerve sensor test showing optic nerve damage. nerve sensor test EMG's of brain and legs (normal)(test is abit painful)
Spinal tap positive for IGG of oblin bands?
spinal OK for Lyme (no surprise lyme doesn't usually show up in Spinal Taps)
the big concern is where did the white matters in spinal column come from? right after surgery?That is what effects my lower body.
and then I find out 3 kinds of Lyme is attacking me....hm

please read up on Lyme Disease
and rememeber Neruo Doctors look for MS, ALS, Parkinson Alszehimers,Crohns
all  of these have been linked to Lyme.

a friend was misdiagnosed with Lupus
NO it was lyme

steriods are the WORST thing for people with lyme disease,
which I had given to me and boy did my body FREAK OUT!
lyme feeds on steriods

do the research and rememeber it is all over,
read some stories you may
find you are not alone.


http://www.ilads.org/sherr2.htm

http://www.lyme.org/faces/frazier1.html

http://www.canlyme.com/lymems.html


http://deppathology.chat.ru/Neurologic%20Lyme%20Disease.htm



http://www.lymeinfo.net/multiplesclerosis.html


good luck to all,Keep the faith,God Bless

[kcorp]

Im a 19 year old male. For about a two week period I have been experiencing slight balance problems, multiple muscle spasms(unpainful but in multiple places almost all day long), my left hand and foot sometimes right either feels kind of numb or tingly. Also I have floaters but I do wear contacts and cannot see well without them. I occasionally have intense feeling of muscle weakness when playing sports and I experience the footdrop it seems more and more frequently....Some of these symptoms I have experienced what seems to be my whole adult life my dad has ms and i spend my whole day just thinking about it im scared tremendously not to mention the cognitive (correct spelling?) skills ive been seeming to loose.....no insurance for medical attention are there any huge drawbacks from not recieving medical attention if I do have ms? some one please help I am truely driving myslef insane its all i think about

[MicheleC]

Approximately 6 months ago I was having some heart palpitations and completed a stress test at that time.  Have also had some wierd visual disturbances in my left eye.  At night, things in the left eye are much darker that I see them when looking only with the right eye.  Also, at times it appears I am looking thru "water" and there is a "ripple" in the water...if that makes any sense.  I don't really know how to describe it.
The stress test found nothing.    Several months ago, I started experiencing numbness in left side of my lips and the tips of my fingers on left hand.  Then 1 month ago, whole left arm and left side of face went numb with headache on right side of head.  Went to ER, had CT scan, Dr. said scan was normal and diangosed bells palsy and carpal tunnel.  After this incident, difficulty speaking, cognitive problems, poor coordination of left hand.  Followed up with my PCP and he said possible MS.  Sent me for MRI.  MRI showed T2 prolongation present within the right basal ganglia, putamen, and globus pallidus and within the deep white matter adjacent to the central sulcus.  No T1 shortening.  The diffusion imaging demonstrates bright signal here and the ADC map demonstrates no signal suggesting this is acute non hemorrhagic stroke.  My PCP told me I had a stroke and sent me for Ultrasound of carotid arteries.  The U/S showed nothing.  Tingling, etc. continued.  PCP said this was the brain recreating the pathways that were destroyed by the stroke.  Advised that if I had anymore numbness to return to ER.  Started me on aspirin.  2 weeks after, had another episode of numbess, retuned to ER.  Symptoms went away after about 2 hours.  Was admitted ot the hospital, ER DR. again mentioned he thought symptoms were MS.  They kept me overnight with heart monitor which showed nothing.  Symptoms keep returning, on almost daily basis, lasting only couple hours.  Have been experiencing fatigue, particularly in the left arm and legs, neck pain, mild headaches, "can't find the right words" etc.  CAN ANYBODY HELP ME?????  

[ct_christen]

I was diagnosed in October of 1994 with MS. I have had problems with numbness, dizziness, collapsing due to loss of muscle strength, and headaches.  I would have problems every 3 - 6 months, depending on how much stress I was dealing with.  For the last 18 months I haven't had ANY major problems.  I do still get tired and my right leg drags after a great deal of physical exertion.  But NO numbness, dizziness or collapsing.  I am a FIRM believer in proper nutrition.  My father-in-law got me started on "Udo's 3-6-9 omega fatty acid" oil.  (Look up Udo Erasmus online.) I've been on it for 18 months.  I take 4 tablespoons daily.  I have incorporated more fish and whole grains into my diet and have tried to cut out saturated fats.  I have also been FAITHFUL about taking good vitamins.  I've been taking USANA vitamins for the last 6 months.  I truly believe that my good health is due to the vitamins, diet and oil.  I strongly suggest trying it.  If you are interested in USANA vitamins, I can help you with that.  Just contact me at ct_christen***@****.

[karzme]

I was wondering if it's possible for MS symptoms to be confused with Anemia? I was recently told I have anemia as well as MS. I looked it up on the net and found out they have similar symptoms. Is it possible for anemia to cause lesions? Or is that just MS?

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[Quixotic1]

I welcome any of you who seem t be in diagnostic limbo, but suspect you have MS to join us over in the MS Forum.

Also we would love to have those who have been diagnosed to help with opinions and answers.

I'm an MD with MS.  I'd love the help.

[grammykins]

Hi all. Just found this site, looks great. I was diagnosed with ms in 1992. After being in and out of "remission" for years. I have now been diagnosed with small fiber peripheral neuropathy. No underlying cause has been found. Hooray!  My question for anyone is- Have you heard of a connection between the two?

[Suns*hine]

Just came accrossed this website on MRI's.and came across your question.

Yes, I was diagnosised two years ago.  MS Does cause imbalance from inners and eye problems.  

I have Optic Neuritis and Neuro Hearing Loss.  I also have balance issues and loss some compreshension from lesions, chronic and not so chronic.  

Keep a journal off everything that happens from not being balanced to going to the bathroom to how you feel when you eat. So you can tell your doctor.  When you have ear pain or eye pain the how many times a day, Urinary urgencies, bowel urgencies.

any kind of numbness of you have wether it's neck pain or hand pain. Jot down the day, date and time it happens and how often it keeps you up and relay it to the doctor. MS has a sesaw affect.  Please don't hassitate and email me with any additional questions. leeza38_***@****

[KIZZI965]

A related discussion, ms was started.