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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Diagnosis
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Re: Diagnosis
by CCF MD mdf, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF MD mdf on July 07, 1998 at 16:40:39:
In Reply to: Diagnosis posted by Charnell on July 07, 1998 at 14:58:37:
I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by a neurologist. I have had 3
months of numbness & tingling in my hands and feet and occasionally legs,
which has now just about disappeared. I also have had 6 months of back pain
consistent with 2 herniated disks in my lower back. Because my EMG was
negative, my dr. said the numbness can only be 2 things-MS or Fibro. We
ruled out MS with an MRI of the brain. So he said it has to be Fibro and
he wouldn't do a pressure point test. I have no other symptoms and don't
believe that this is what I have. Does this information sound accurate?
Do I need a second opinion?
=
I am not a fibromyalgia expert, but usually numbness is not the major complaint - it is more of a migratory pain or multiple areas which are painful.
Based on the data, it's hard to say there's only two things it could be. The first step (which your neurologist probably did but may not have communicated) is localization - that is, where in the nervous system is the numbness coming from? Should consider spinal cord and peripheral nerves, as well as nerve roots. The EMG was designed to detect damage or dysfunction of nerves, so since it was negative I would guess your doctor thought the problem could be coming from the cord.
Even if it is definitely located in the spinal cord, that doesn't make it definitely MS - it's just one common problem with that pattern. I gather he did tests designed to show MS and came up with nothing, thereby giving you a diagnosis of elimination - fibromyalgia.
I think for your own peace of mind you should consult a second neurologist for a second opinion. Of course, you are welcome to contact 800 223-2273 and ask for neurology appointments at CCF.
As you know, this information is provided for your general medical information. Specific comments regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation.
In Reply to: Diagnosis posted by Charnell on July 07, 1998 at 14:58:37:
I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by a neurologist. I have had 3
months of numbness & tingling in my hands and feet and occasionally legs,
which has now just about disappeared. I also have had 6 months of back pain
consistent with 2 herniated disks in my lower back. Because my EMG was
negative, my dr. said the numbness can only be 2 things-MS or Fibro. We
ruled out MS with an MRI of the brain. So he said it has to be Fibro and
he wouldn't do a pressure point test. I have no other symptoms and don't
believe that this is what I have. Does this information sound accurate?
Do I need a second opinion?
=
I am not a fibromyalgia expert, but usually numbness is not the major complaint - it is more of a migratory pain or multiple areas which are painful.
Based on the data, it's hard to say there's only two things it could be. The first step (which your neurologist probably did but may not have communicated) is localization - that is, where in the nervous system is the numbness coming from? Should consider spinal cord and peripheral nerves, as well as nerve roots. The EMG was designed to detect damage or dysfunction of nerves, so since it was negative I would guess your doctor thought the problem could be coming from the cord.
Even if it is definitely located in the spinal cord, that doesn't make it definitely MS - it's just one common problem with that pattern. I gather he did tests designed to show MS and came up with nothing, thereby giving you a diagnosis of elimination - fibromyalgia.
I think for your own peace of mind you should consult a second neurologist for a second opinion. Of course, you are welcome to contact 800 223-2273 and ask for neurology appointments at CCF.
As you know, this information is provided for your general medical information. Specific comments regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options must come from your doctor after appropriate evaluation.
