MS vs GBS

    
      Re: MS vs GBS
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on February 02, 1998 at 09:22:56:

In Reply to: MS vs GBS posted by Kat on February 01, 1998 at 17:35:45:

: My Doctor once joked that I should donate my body to science fiction and starting to think he's right.
  Between the ages of 19-25 I went to see 7 different doctor's for muscle/joint pain, shortness of breath, recurrent cluster headaches and dizziness that laster for 7 months although it was stated to me that it was all in my head.  I have blood drawn and each and every time I was asked to come back in to the office for additional blood teasts because they felt I had Leukemia.  One time I was admitted overnight and had my blood tested every hour.  Well all the tests came back negative.  I was handed a bottle of asprin and sent on my merry way.
  3 years later I had Optic Neuritis.  3 years after both legs went numb as I sat at my desk at work.  Had an MRI and then I was dx w/ MS.  
  Soooo I made the mistake of having blood drawn again (think I would have learned by now to avoid that) and was told that I have Guilliane Barre Syndrome by 2 Doctor's.  Something to do with my direct or indirect bilirubin level being slightly elevated.  So I asked, do I have MS or GBS.  I was told that since we are in Colorado and MS is much more common that it must be MS.  So I asked well what about the bilirubin level.  They stated that it's nothing to worry about but that my bilirubin level will never change and that I may feel tired because of it.  
  I only see my Family practice doctor's because I called 5 neuro's here and was told that they do not specialize in MS or GBS and referred me to the MS clinic.  Waste of time, all I gained from going there is some info pamplets and a list of support groups.
  Who do I see so i can r/o either MS or GBS?
  Thank You
  Kat
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I wonder if there is some misunderstanding here, bilirubin is not abnormal in
Guillian Barre syndrome, it is however elevated in a benign disorder of the
liver called Gilbert's syndrome which manifests are a symptomless elevation in
bilirubin.
Your symptoms certainly do not sound suggestive of Guillain Barre syndrome,
which is a very acute disorder presenting with rapidly developing
ascending weakness (to the point of complete paralysis within hours in severe cases)
MS is still a possibility, I feel you should clarify this Gilbert's
syndrome question and pursue the MS question with a neuroimmunologist.
If you wish to have an opinion at the MS center in the Cleveland Clinic
(the Mellen Center)the number for appointments is [phone]