Possible MS?

[juls100]

Hello all;

I have a question regarding MS please.   I have 8 "lesions" on my brain which was found on an MRI done due to a severe episode of vertigo.  (never ever had vertigo before). within a week I had severe burning and tingling in my feet and ankles, then within a week it moved up my legs to cover my calves and then up my thighs.  Any type of exercise made it much much worse.   Even being on my legs for over an hour or so walking. However, I would have good days and bad days, it was a freakin' crapshoot - not knowing.  This was almost two years ago and since then it has become so bad at times that my legs are now suffering from sharp pain and spasticity/stiffness (hyperreflexia per doctor).  I cannot bike ride any more, take long walks, do any hiking etc. without suffering .
My neuro did NOT think the lesions were due to MS because they did not have the typical Dawson's fingers.  He thought they were perhaps ischemic disease because I was 52, even though he said that would be alot of lesions for that at 52 years of age.    We did an LP and my CSF is clear with no bands.

I was initially put on Gabapentin which helped alot with the burning and stinging but not with the stiffness.  So he thought it might be Fibro. But the physical therapist said my hyperreflexia is way too strong for Fibro and also I don't have any of the "trigger points".  

The pain and stiffness has become so bad that it is interfering with my job and my entire life.  I told my neuro that he absolutely had to help me with the pain and stiffness.  He put me on BACLOFEN which has been sweet relief!!!  But I have to take it 3x day or the stiffness starts to come back.

My question is this:   Can you still have MS without TYPICAL Dawson's fingers as lesions and also a clear CSF test?   Can you have MS at 52?

Any help or info you can give me is so greatly appreciated.  I'm tired of being upset over being in LIMBO - I want some answers as it has been almost 2 years of expensive testing and I still can't get an answer. They have no clue why it's happening.

Thank you!

Juls

[maxthecat43]

What Alex said!  A neurologist that specializes in MS will be a better judge of what's happening to you.

Good luck, and keep us posted- okay?

Tammy

[HVAC]

Is your Neurologist a MS Specialist. If not you might get a second opinion of a MS Specialist. I do not know if you have MS but not all people with MS have dawson's fingers. I had dawson's fingers on my first MRI and it still took years for a diagnosis. I am glad you have the drugs to help that is the most important thing. Your age does not disqualify you from MS, it is rarer to be diagnosed with MS in your 50's but it is not unheard of.

Alex

[LisaJF]

MS is a clinical diagnosis more than MRI findings other other tests such as lumbar puncture, EMGs, VER, BAER (evoked potentials).  They are supportive but not definitive.

The physical exam and neurological findings along with neurological isolated events at least one month apart is the baseline for diagnosis unless there's other reasons to feel there is something else brewing.  That is why many of us have had blood tests for connective tissue disorders, thyroid, b12 deficiencies, infectious such as Lyme disease, vascular disorders ie: hypertension, the list goes on and on.  

I do not know if you have went to a local MS Clinic or MS Specialist or not, but if not, perhaps that is the route you need to go?

I'm sorry for all the suffering you went through and this is a great place to be to find support and share experiences with.

Again, welcome to the forums

Lisa

They perform these tests to ensure its nothing else that could be causing your symptoms because there are many mimics.