Possible MS & Vision Loss

Posted By  CCF Neuro MD on October 15, 1997 at 16:05:16:

In Reply to: Possible MS & Vision Loss posted by N.D.Stone on October 12, 1997 at 21:33:48:

: I have had transcient neurological symptoms for the past five years.  My symptoms began with lack of sensation in my right hand which progressed to my right leg and the right side of my face.  At the same time I was also extremely fatigued and could not walk up a flight of stairs due to weakness in my legs.  I had an brain MRI within two weeks which was neg.  The numbness remained for several months and gradually other symptoms developed, such as blurred vision upon exercise, urinary spasms and incont.  I developed gradual weakness of my right hand which gets worse upon exercise.  I was referred to a neurologist at a teaching university which felt I have M.S., however he felt it's course would be benign.  I had a spinal MRI whichdid not show any lessions, EEG's, VEP which were also negative.  I was referred to a neuro-urologist and had uro-dynamics testing, which was positive for a neurogenic bladder.  The neruo-urologists believes the neurogenic bladder is caused by M.S. and is unlikely to be caused by a spinal tumor or congenital, since the spinal MRI was neg. and the onset of symptoms is so late.  At the time of initial symptoms I was 36.  I have had attacks of vertigo and trouble with my vision when focusing.  My left eye is usually dialated more than my right eye.  This past August I developed pain behind my left eye, I was seen by an opthomologist who said everything was normal.  The pain lasted several days.  Later in August I woke up, looked out the window and upon returning to bed could not see anything out of my left eye for 20 minutes.  Since then I have had residual blurred vision.  
  This past summer, my regular neurologist ordered another MRI of the brain and again it was negative.  He does feel I have M.S., however it may still be possible.  My question, if my symptoms are not caused by M.S., what can be causing them?  I also have a condition of secondary hyperparathyroidism, (unknown origin, and chronic sinus infestions).  Do you feel it would beneficial to come to your clinic for a second opinion?
  Thanks for your response!  

[CF-Neuro-MD]

Dear N.D. Stone,
Hello, Well I agree with your doctors, from what you have wrote, that you most probably have MS.  
A spinal tap may be helpful to see if there are inflammatory changes that are typicla for MS in the CSF( the fliud that surrounds that brain and spinal cord).
Some people have abnormal CSF and normal brain MRI.  The diagnosis of MS is made by a clinical decision using
tests and your exam and history to put it all together.
We havea MS Center here at CCF- The Mellen Center, if you'd like to call appointments the number is
216-444-8600.  Good Luck!