Not neurological?????

[skarey]

Hey Guys,
   I posted somewhat earlier on my neuro appt., but didn't really clarify.  My neuro said that my symptoms didn't describe anything neurological!  I find this very difficult to believe.  He said I don't have MS because my MRI of my brain was normal and my office exam (reflexes, and senses were normal). I would be happy as could be if this were true, but something tells me that you cannot say it's not MS just because your brain MRI and reflexes were normal.  IS this true.  He didn't want to run anymore tests at the time.  He just wants me to come back in 4 weeks for a followup.   I don't know if I should be happy about this or a little upset.
   Here are my symptoms:
     Started back in May (about 2.5 months after birth of daughter).   Had weird cool sensations in left leg, excrutiating head ache that lasted for about a week at onset of symptoms,  weird sensation moved to left hand (tingly feeling) then turned to pain in arm and hand.  Then my right arm/hand began hurting as well.  Feels like funny bone is being hit 24/7 and runs down to my fingers.  Intermittent eye pain and ear pain, restless legs in early morning.
   June/July- continuted pain in arms/hands.  Also pain numb sensations in feet.  Went to PCM who did blood work that came back normal except for elevated liver enzymes.   Had a abdomen ultrasound tha came back normal.  Checked for hepatitis- normal.  Checked for arthritis- normal.  Vitamin B12 and folic acid- normal.   Had MRI of brain that came back normal.  Also had a NCS that was abnormal in legs. Had twitching for about 3 days straight that went away.
   August-current-  lessened pain in arms/hands and feet (intermittent)  Numb cold patches on face (intermittent), Pins and needles in hands/feet.   Occasional feeling as if cold liquid running down legs.  Feels like something is stuck between my pinky toes, although there isn't.  Occassional forgetfullness (will be in the middle of doing something and completely stop and forget what I was doing).  Occassional lack of concentration.


   Other-  Very easy bruising, occassional mild fatigue, no heat tolerance, no balance problems.  During all of this My symptoms have nearly dissappeared twice for about a week but then return.  Had vision checked by an optometrist who said my eyes look good and that my eye pain was from being a little nearsighted.
  
Doesn't this sound neurological???  I'm kinda confused as to how the neruo doesn't think this describes any neurological disorders??  What else could it be??  Please any insight would be great!!
  Thanks!  
  Karey

[Hilary1966]

Please get a second opinion.I had numbness in all areas five years back and was told I was imagining it by a despicable neurologist,it nearly destroyed me.Earlier this month I was diagnosed with mild ms after I finally plucked up the courage to visit a neurologist again,MRIs of the brain torso need to be done,lumbar puncture,and nerve tests,and finally I was diagnosed with ms and told I probably had this condition five years back as well,we put our trust in these guys believing they know the answers but unfortunately that's not always the case,the neurologist I have now is somebody I can relate to thank god,but the original guy is one of the top guys in the ms society and because I didn't fit in the box regarding all symptoms he ignored me,so trust your own instinct I wish I had.

[Annie62]

Karey,

Regarding MS and negative MRIs, I can only tell you what was told to me:  The neurologist I saw a couple days ago told me that if MRIs are negative then one cannot have MS.  She said, "If you have negative MRIs then you don't have MS.  That's all there is to it."  HOWEVER, apparently that is NOT all there is to it.  The MS specialist I saw at Mayo--and I would think she would be more knowledgable about MS than the neuro I just saw locally--unqualifiedly told me that you CAN have MS with negative MRIs.  From what I have read that is especially true in the beginning stages of the disease,  but it can ALSO be true many years into MS.  That is why the MS specialist, in spite of my negative MRIs and MANY years after the onset of my neuro symptoms, proceeded to do a lumbar puncture on me for MS.  Also, the 3-tesla MRI machine (bigger and better magnets??) that is apparently used at places like Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and university hospitals is apparently more adept at picking up some lesions that sometimes don't show on the older machines, so that can be a factor as well.  So, yes, you can have MS with negative MRIs.  The MS specialist at Mayo told me so, Quix has written about this many times, and I have seen at least two people on these neuro boards (one on this board I believe) who were diagnosed with MS by lumbar puncture, having negative MRIs.

Also, what does he think your abnormal nerve conduction study indicates if not a neurologic problem?  Did he tell you?

[harrie]

hi

im not a doctor but i would advise a second opinion, on one hand try and think that hes right and you dont have ms, when you can get a second opinion you will be more clearer, for now try and be happy untill you are able to speak to another dr/neuro. this guy seems to have his mind made up so you'll need to speak to someone else.
harrie