advice for spinal tap test

[dancefanatic]

In May of 2007 I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, IBS and a mild hiatal hernia.  I have also had shock sensations, numbing, tingling, heaviness and stiffness in my legs off and on for about 7 years and constant for the past year and a half. About 6 months ago I started having blurry and double vision.  I was then diagnosed with Thygeson's Superficial Punctate Keratitis. I have seen a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, a rheumatologist (rheumatologist found nothing except moderate LEUK, elevated WBC, many EPITH and moderate bacteria in my urine - and few mucus in my urine)  and an Opthalmologist (spellling?).  We have done numerous tests including MRI's - where one lesion was found in my left caudate nucleus and incidentally, a benign mixed tumor was found just outside my left parotid gland. We removed the tumor and the surgical site and nerve endings are healing fine. I have also had a recurring rash (about 2 times per year) for the past two years.  I have had a lump removed from my left wrist (1998) and a lump removed from my left breast (1996).  I also had HPV (1996 - 1998) but have had clean paps since then.  However, in June 2008, I had a lesion of unknown origin at the bottom of my vaginal opening - negative for all std's and did not respond to valtrex...eventually healed after 3 weeks of excruciating pain with use of steroid cream. I also have uncontrollable muscle jerks at night or when lying down and my quadriceps will sometimes lock up into hard masses - my buttocks have done the same thing before and it feels like im sitting on rocks.  Now my left ankle (just above achilles tendon) is very stiff only when i walk - when sitting down I have full range of motion - but when walking it feels stiff and hard.  My doctors now want to send me to the Mayo clinic in MN - which of course I will have to pay to get there and for accomodations and for 30% of the bills since it is considered out of network.  They all still think that there is a chance this could be MS but refuse to do a spinal tap. They want me to go to the mayo clinic instead. Any advice? I think we should do the spinal tap locally just to completely rule out MS before I have to spend thousands of dollars.

[dancefanatic]

I was also having migraines daily and now about 2-3 per week - I am taking Petadolex (an herbal supplement recommended by my neurologist) - it seems to have cut them down.

[dancefanatic]

Sorry I should have told you that my VEP test and my nerve study test were normal.
Also, I just found out that two of my second cousins (ages 26 and 28) have just recently been diagnosed with MS and their symptoms started just like mine.