Ms and glaucoma

[cmacross]

Hi someone please help. 5 years ago I was tested for ms because of sever nerve pain in feet and muscle pain. The MRI showed no lesions so diagnosis was negative. Never got a true answer as to why nerve pain but diagnosed with poly neuropathy and regular blood wrk did not show diabetes. Recently experiencing humming in right ear and morning headaches. I went to my doc he said no infection but my vitamin D is only 12 and it should be around 100. I also went to my eye doc for a gulag check up and he said I have glaucoma and optic nerve damage. I am 53 and glaucoma does NOT run in my family,(I am the first in my family). He said I need to see a specialist this week. I m also seeing a specialist for my ear this week. My ear doc said he is "very suspicious ". He wanted to know more as to why I was Boeing tested for ms and why I am having ear trouble, low vitamin D, headaches and now glaucoma . He also wanted to know if I am pleased with my primary care. I am ally scad at this point, can I still have ms without lesions and can all this other stuff be signs of ms or something else. I could really use feedback ASAP
Thank you

[rendean]

Fear and anxiety are common when one does not know what is happening to their body. We are here to answer ANY question you have, to the best of our ability.

Like immisceo mentioned, the Health Pages, located to the right of the forum posts, are filled with a great variety of information on many topics. They are worth a read.

Please keep us updated on your MRI results. We can all learn something from someone else's experiences.

Hugs,
Ren

[cmacross]

Thank you everyone, I saw the eye specialist and he said the pressure is high but not high enough to dx glaucoma. He said only my right optic nerve is damaged. I also saw the ear specialist he ordered an MRI which I will have tomorrow. He and the eye specialist agree that what ever is going on is very suspicious. I will try to relax until I have a more solid answer. Thanks again

[kwarendorf]

Something ate my "less than" and "greater than" signs!

My post should have read...

12ng/ml is low, but not too bad. less than 10ng/ml is considered severely deficient. Greater than 100ng/ml is a bit high for a goal. greater than 80ng/ml is considered toxic.

[kwarendorf]

Hi CMac - Welcome to our group.

It can be very frustrating, trying to find out whether multiple symptoms are related to a single cause, completely unrelated, etc.

As others have mentioned, glaucoma and MS are not typically related. I am glaucoma suspect and get my see an opthamologist 3-4 times a year. Neither he nor my neurologist think the two are related.

Some types of glaucoma (closed angle glaucoma) can cause pain. I'm not sure where your headaches manifest, but the glaucoma pain is centralized around the eye, including the eye itself.

That brings us to the ringing in your ear. Tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, is an MS symptom. I have a low grade ringing in both ears. MS is not the only cause of tinnitus.  The tinnitus and the headache may be related.

You have seen many docs of many types. Do you plan to see a neurologist? They may be able to connect some dots for you. I chased individual symptoms, with individual specialists, for several years. My neurologist connect them all.

One thing about your Vitamin D level. The numbers you mention are a little confusing. 12ng/ml is low, but not too bad. 80ng/ml is considered toxic. Do you know what units you doctor was referencing?

Kyle

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

I'm thinking about the Glaucoma and Peripheral neuropathy you've been diagnosed (dx) with, both are 'not' conditions typically associated with of MS but both do create very 'similar' symptoms (sx's) to the visual and nerve sx's that are common to MS.

Glaucoma is an eye disease, that basically damages the optic nerves due to high pressure (congenital is only one type) but in MS similar damage to the optic nerve (Optic neuritis) is due to lesion(s), so what causes the optic nerve damage is not the same. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition of the peripheral nervous system but MS is a condition of the 'central nervous system' and the sx's are caused by brain and or spinal lesion(s), different nervous systems and not the same causation.  

I would think if you have had the Glaucoma dx by an ophthalmologist, and have had positive nerve conductor tests, confirming an abnormality in your peripheral nervous system ie peripheral neuropathy. It would seem more likely (from my understanding), that your sx's and dx's are due to 'something else' and not MS, because it would probably be quite rare for one person, to have multiple dx-ed conditions which are not common to MS, as well as not having any suggestive MRI lesion evidence.

Try to take a deep breath and not worry to much, about something it may not actually turn out to be, MS does have many mimics and you've been dx with a couple, so I really wouldn't think MS would be at the top of your list of 'possibilities'. See the specialists and discuss all the possible conditions for your medical issues and the common connection will hopefully become apparent.

Cheers..........JJ

PS let us know how you get on      

[HVAC]

I have not heard of Glaucoma being linked to MS. I think it has to do with too much pressure on the eye and MS has to do with the nerve damage of the eye. Eye conditions due to MS are optic Neuritis or Double vision.

Anything Neurological can point to MS, non neurological problems are something else.

There are things which have the same symptoms of MS that are not MS.

You could have MS and other conditions or not have MS at all. I have other conditions besides MS.

It is an almost even split of people coming to the forum. Half end up having MS and half have something else entirely. This is why doctors have to diagnose us. It is tricky.

As for being scared that is normal. You just have to take it one step at a time. I have freaked myself out worrying and I have learned it does not do me a bit of good.

Even if turns out to be MS it is not the end of the world. It is a very treatable illness.

Hang in there.

Alex

[maxthecat43]

I agree with immisceo.  The health pages are a great resource.  They were written by a doctor that happens to have MS.

[immisceo]

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/How-Can-a-Person-with-MS-Have-a-Negative-MRI/show/161?cid=36

This covers the topic.

[cmacross]

Thank you for responding, but maybe you can answer another question, can someone have ms and not show lesions?

[maxthecat43]

I can understand why you'd be scared.  I was too, early on.  All of this does NOT necessarily mean that you have MS.  And even if you do, after the first year or so (while you digest the information) you'll see that you can go on living your life.  

I don't think glaucoma is related to MS at all.  Optic nerve damage can be, but can also occur within the general population.  Until you can see your doctor, and figure out the next steps to take, I recommend taking a walk.  Do something physical, if you can.  It will help you to get your mind clear, and relieve some of the stress.  Stress can cause symptoms of any disease to feel much worse.  Exercise is the best way to deal with it.

In the meantime, increase your vitamin D intake.  It sounds like you live in the same area I do (Boeing reference).  I take prescription vitamin D (50,000 units a week).  If you don't have a prescription, start with 2,000 units of D-3.  
  
Feel free to message me,if you want to.
Tammy