Seeing flashing lights and off balance

[penguin106]

I am the author of "Does this sound like MS" on the undiagnosed symptoms and MS forums.  If you guys want, read that one, too.  I'd really like to hear from as many people as will write me...I'm feeling very much alone right now.  I had my neurologist appointment yesterday. It went about as well as my PC doc appointment.  Alot of **** and no answers.  I know I need to be patient, but it's getting old.  I am NOT stressed, and there is nothing like depression or emotional anything going on.  I've been stressed before in my life, and believe me, this is not the result of stress.  I'll list my symptoms:

flashing lights (daily)
really bad balance
dropping things all the time
can't tell the difference between really hot and really cold
fatigue (comes and goes daily)
tripping, stumbling and falling while standing and walking
numbness in right arm (on one occasion)
right foot drags sometimes when walking
extreme weakness
Also, sometimes I just feel mentally dull and exhausted

I had blood work done...all normal and I had an MRI of my brain without contrast...normal.  This neuro has scheduled me for these tests:

Somatosensory Evoked Potential Test
Visual Evoked Potential Test
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential Test
An MRI of the cervical spine (that I think the receptionist forgot to schedule)

I have a family history of MS...four people on my mother's side, but still this doctor acted as if that wasn't as much of a possiblity as stress?  Does that sound "wrong" to anyone?  He saw me for 15 minutes, and he's telling me this, instead of listening to how I'm feeling inside my own body for a year.  Please, feel free to write me...this seems crazy to me!

[Quadmother]

Hi,

I've been going through a similar hunt for a diagnosis for over a year now.  I've seen three neurologists, two of whom initially said they thought my neuro symptoms were due to a confirmed B12 deficiency and one who said it was migraines (guess what *his* specialty was? lol)...everyone wanted to blame it on the B12 deficiency or psych meds (I take antidepressants and have for years).  In order to gain credibility I went ahead and got a 2nd opinion on my medications from a new Psychopharmacologist who felt, along w/my PCP, therapist and 1st Psychopharmacologist that this was not medication or "stress/anxisety/depression" related.  Hematologist said the B12 deficiency was not long-lasting enough to cause the neuro symptoms and referred me back to Neurologist...

Initial Brain MRI (no contrast) showed areas of demyelination that should be investigated.  Neurologist said nothing really interesting on MRI...

One year later, follow up with Neurologist...past few months I've started expriencing ataxia and have fallen once.  I now have PT twice per week for balance and muscle coordination and walk, long distances, with a cane.  I continue with random twitches, muscle spasms in feet, hands, toes, tongue, fire-like pins and needles (new in past two months) and numbness that comes and goes.  Experiencing more forgetfulness and aphasia.  The fatigue is absolutely debilitating...

Neurologist decides to do full neuro/psych workup.  Results visit last week - The good news is I passed the test with flying colors.  The bad news is I passed the test with flying colors...Neuro says it's all anxiety.  Says she cannot detect ataxia or muscle weakness in exam.  Earlier in the week, PT did same (and, I might add, more extensive) tests and found left side weakness, ataxia and problems w/muscle coordination in quads.  What is up with this???

Neuro calls my Psychopharmacologist to say she can find no "organic" reason for my symptoms.  My Psychopharmacologist, my husband's psychopharm and random people I stop on the street, for God's sake (OK, joking about the last) say there is something WRONG.  But Psychpharms and my PCP say when Neurologists can't find an answer they can't bring themselves to say "I don't know"...so blame the psych meds.  One Doc recommended I start fresh with a new Neurologist and don't mention the anti-depressants!

Long post to say this - especially with MS in your family...don't buy the hogswallop they're trying to feed you that it's "stress"...You know your body and if there's something wrong, don't give up.  Good luck to you!

[crystaly]

Just lke to say the following in support of the last poster. I have similar problems to the extent that I can no longer walk more than 30 meteres . Yes Ive been throught the same tests three yrs ago and volunterred to see a psychologist for assessment . Any psychological resons ruled out ! We don't have ms in our family! I do agree however that a lot of neurologists will put symptoms down to stress if they don't have any clinical findings. In my case I still see the same neurologist and have been given a neuro dx of sorts . Gait disorder and other neuro symptoms of unknown neurological cause. A dx with no dx really !More recently developed problem with breathlessness ect lung function found abnormal transference. Please don't give up go and get another opinion ! Best of luck I do know how frustrating it is believe me take care !

[alchris]

Just want to offer support for any one with such problems.  I have things that need to be diangosed and it scares me to think when I read these forums inlcluding myself why doctors write eveyrthing off as stress.  WE ALL KNOW our own BODIES better than anyone.  It really saddens me to know so many people are written off when the doctors cant find the answers.  I wish all well

[LEANNYATES]

I GET EXTREMELY BAD MIGRAINES AFTER SEEING WHAT  I LIKE TO CALL A FLASHING C. A LINE THAT APPEARS IN MY EYE UNTILL IT EXPANDS INTO WHAT CLOSELY RESEMBLES TO A CAPTIAL C. AS IT MOVES ABOUT IN MY VISION IT LOOKS AS THOUGH ITS FLASHING BLINKING IF YOU WILL. AFTER THIS IS GONE I GET A HEADACHE ON THE OPOSITE SIDE OF THE FLASHING C. i.e.  IF I SEE THE FLASHING C IN THE RIGHT EYE THE HEADACHE COMES TO MY LEFT TEMPLE. IF I TAKE MEDICINE BEFORE THE FLASHING SEE DISAPPEARS THAN THE HEADACHE WILL BE BEARABLE BUT I CAN STILL FILL THE AFFECT FROM IT.  I FEEL AS IF I CAN STAND OR SIT AND I THAT I WILL VOMIT. I HAVE ONLY WENT A FEW TIMES WITH OUT NOT TAKING ANYTHING FOR IT AND THE ONLY THING THAT MADE IT GO AWAY WAS SLEEP. IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS EXPRIENCE THIS PLEASE GIVE ME SOME SUGGESTIONS. YOU CAN EVEN EMAIL ME AT ***@****