Heat intolerance: Lyme Disease or MS?

[Hope75]

Hi all.  I was a limbolander here for a while, but got a positive ELISA  and IgM Western Blot for Lyme Nov 2008 and have since pursued that diagnosis - thinking I've ruled out MS.  But, last weekend I stood in the hot sun on hot pavement too long and I couldn't really feel my feet correctly under me, so my calves did all the work in balancing me and they are so sore, I can't even touch them now.  It was a scary feeling b/c I really felt like I was going to need a wheelchair/scooter to get around that day.  

I am being treated for chronic Lyme, which is the great imitator of MS, ALS,etc.  When i posted in the neurology forum about this incident, this is the answer I received by an MD:

by Dr Rajgopal, Sep 14, 2009 11:37PM
To: Hope75
Hi,
The symptoms of numbness and loss of sensation getting aggravated by heat suggest of Multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a progressive demyelinating disease of the nerves. Do you have other symptoms like muscle weakness, dizziness, numbness and tingling all over the body? Please go for an MRI of the brain and spine and consult a neurologist to rule out the disease. A series of MRI and lumbar puncture may be advised to rule out the disease. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!  


Well, I have had several MRIs and a lumbar puncture - one lesion, lumbar puncture negative.  My LLMD thinks my one lesion is from Lyme.  This just makes old ideas of MS boil up to the surface again!  I am getting so tired of this question I have in the back of my mind.  I know that MS often results in heat intolerance, but Lyme often imitates it.  I had three negative Western Blots for Lyme and then finally a positive one, plus a positive screen.  I just don't know what to think sometimes.

[PastorDan]

Hope, I strongly suspect that Dr. Rajgopal doesn't know your history, and was giving the textbook answer for the symptoms you described.  If I were in your shoes, I'd suggest you share your experience with your own doctor, who has more ready access to your complete record.  If you're concerned, based on Dr. Rajgopal's reply, you might want to share that with your doctor, too, but perhaps not.  Regardless, asking about the heat reaction is a reasonable thing to do.

[kmil1999]

I know what you mean about the MS thing boiling up to the surface!

Two times in the 90's I had long bouts of vertigo and went through testing for MS then.  Final dx then probable post viral or early MS.

This time my orthopedist wanted me to go to neurologist to r/o MS.  I didn't want to go down that road again, so I made a deal with him that I would have a MRI done and go to neurologis if something showed.  I knew it would be clear again, so I wasn't worried!
Go figure, I had 2 spots on my brain.

I totally agree with you about not knowing what to think.  Sorry I cant be of more help, just wanted to let you know you have my moral support!

My best,
Karen