Blind spot in low light and other weird symptoms.

[Lavi88]

Hi I'm 39 been dealing with an MS like illness for 15 years. Early tests suggested Lupus  but now tests are negative ! , had bouts of sun rashes but now just cannot stand heat over 75 degrees or I get lethargic. Have not had MRI in 12 yrs or seen  a neurologist , the first one I saw 15 yrs ago said I might as well have MS but MRI was normal!
Have balance and dizziness problems, urinary , fatigue and now eye problems
My worst symptom is feeling like my body shuts down with heavy limb feeling when tired or hot .
Newest symptom is I have a blind spot in low light. Just in my right eye  where I cannot see anything .  last years eye exam I had severe inflammation and Dr said my eye wasnt auto focusing?  This years eye exam was better , no inflammation seen .  I do have  Astigmatisim  as well . Letters on texts and books look crooked and honestly I'm ready t see a specialist to find out what this is . Thanks

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

A lot has changed in the 15 years since you last saw a neurologist, the diagnostic criteria has improved, MRI's are more advanced and there is a specific MS protocol that may not have been used back then......if what you are experiencing is something like MS, there will most definitely be clinical and MRI evidence now.  

I too am unsure about what your eye issue, if your meaning you have a total blind spot in low light only, there isn't anything i can think of that is related to MS but regardless, get this one issue checked out especially if your sight has deteriorated since the last visual assessment and get a second opinion if going blind didn't get the eye doc's attention!

What type of tests have you had trying to find the cause of the dizziness etc was anything abnormal found? Any basic neurological abnormalities found in your original MS assessment or since?

Unfortunately all of the symptoms you mentioned could be MS, Lupus (or something else entirely), both have many mimics and can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, although it would be very unusual after 15 years for either to still not be clear. There really should be some evidence of it being neurological by now, so if Lupus is in question it would probably be in your best interest to re-visit the possibility of MS.

Keep in mind that sun rashes are more suggestive of Lupus though, there is no correlation to sun rashes in MS (unless it's one of the rarer MS disease modification side effects which you wouldn't be on) and if you get the telling butterfly rash on your face, despite the recent blood test results Lupus shouldn't be taken off your list of possible causes yet.....

Cheers...........JJ  

[Merlinco]

It seems to me now, that the diagnostics for conditions like MS etc are still in the dark ages.  Unless the symptoms are obvious enough to tick the boxes you can be trapped in an area where no one listens and no diagnosis is given for months, years, forever...

Conditions like Fibromyalgia are in some kind of funny land where docs agree or disagree whether the symptoms are real or psychosomatic..

Frightening.

[HVAC]

Sun rash and eye are not like MS. With MS it is the optic nerve that is attacked. The optometrist can tell if you have Optic neuritis by the nerve in the back of your eye it still shows up later if you have ever had it.Double vision is the other. I think you have the both daylight and night.

You could have two or more illnesses.  I have no clue if it is MS. I guess a neurologist will have to tell. If it takes awhile to see a neurologist your GP could do a neurological exam on you reflexes and such. Then he can see if it is neurological. A neurologist will do the same test.

Alex

[Lavi88]

I forgot to mention I slur my words when really tired