Re: typical vs. atypical MS symptoms

Posted By CCF Neuro MD msf on December 15, 1998 at 12:46:08:

In Reply to: typical vs. atypical MS symptoms posted by char on December 09, 1998 at 18:40:48:






Hello, Doctor.  I have seen an MS specialist who says based on my initial examination and labwork that she does not believe I have MS.  I am not so sure, as everything else has been ruled out.  She says if I develop "typical" symptoms of MS, to come back and re-evaluated.  I am curious what exactly the most common typical symptoms are, as the symptoms I've read seem to match mine:
urinary urgency/incontinence
constant facial pain
constant pain on soles of feet
numb fingers that come and go (can last for up to a minute)
painful muscles,  particularly in legs
proven neurogenic bladder
frequent lightheaded feeling (although I do have very low blood pressure)
constant fatigue
I just don't understand what the typical symptoms are, and why these symptoms are not called "typical".  Almost everything I've read lists these symptoms.
Please help me sort through this.  I don't want to pester her with unnecessary office visits, but wonder what types of symptoms I would need to have in order to make it a worthwhile office visit with her.
Thank you for helping!
Char

Thank you for your question. You are right, all the symptoms that you listed can be seen in MS patients. None of them is specific of MS, because they can be seen in other diseases of the nervous system. Sometimes, it is not possible to make a diagnosis in patients experiencing such symptoms. The diagnosis of MS is not based on the description of the symptoms alone. The evolution of the symptoms with time is important to take into consideration. Relapses, which consist in the development of new symptoms or rapid worsening of "old" symptoms, persisting more than 1-2 days, and improving spontaneously within weeks, are seen in relapsing-remitting MS. Other MS patients experience a continuous progression of symptoms without relapses. Examination is also important in detecting signs of neurological deficits. If your examination was normal, this is reassuring.
To answer your question more precisely, I would say that you might want to call your neurologist if you develop new symptoms which last more than 1 day, or if your symptoms keep worsening from day to day (the laternance of "good days" and "bad days" is normal with these symptoms). Visual symptoms (blurred vision, double vision), muscle weakness in one or several limbs, difficulty with coordination, sould certainly make you seek medical attention.
I hope this helps. Remember that this information is disclosed only for the purpose of general medical education.