babinski reflex, hoffman reflex, brisk reflexes, vertigo

[NCworriedmom]

I ama 42 year old mom of 2 boys.  I have been healthy most of my life.  In 2011, I noticed some numbness in my left hand and it seemed to be "clumsy".  My mom has MS so it scared me.  Considering my family history, my family doc sent me to neuro and to have an MRI.  The MRI and my exam turned out to be normal.  The neuro said it could be my ulnar nerve.  2012, another episode and this time with worst headache ever and blurred vision.  Once again I checked out fine.  Then in July 2014 while on vacation, I became dizzy and started to stagger.  I went to an urgent care and they told me I had vertigo.  After that the vertigo/clumsy remained, and I started having mycolonic jerking of my muscles and headache. I was checked by neuro when I got back from vacation. The vertigo went away but muscle jerking remained.  Normal exam and bloodwork.  August 21, it came back the vertigo/clumsy feeling, headache, my legs being sensitive to touch, and I occasionally  repeat things when speaking like my brian can't remember.  I went to a recommended neurosurgeon.  His exam revealed Babinski reflex, Hoffman reflex and brisk reflexes. It was symmetrical on both sides  He ordered an MRI.  I couldn't get in for almost 2 weeks. The waiting is making me crazy.

[SarahL2491]

there are many diseases that mimic MS, which is one of the reasons its often very hard to dx.  I had 3-4 neuro's tell me there was nothing wrong with me……it took me years.  

Good luck in your search

[NCworriedmom]

Thank you for your response.  The MRI is in the morning and I see a neurosurgeon who is friends with my family after that to go over the scans.  I don't see the neurologist until next week So I'm assuming unless it's something obvious I will not know for awhile.  What mimics MS besides ALS?  

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

What stands out to me in your post, is from one month to the next, your neuro exams went from normal to not and it's not hard to understand if your wondering, if getting a different opinion could be what explains it or if MS or something similar has been happening to you all along.

Unfortunately it could be either scenario, we've had a lot of stories told here of people who's neuro told them, sometimes for years that their various tests are 'normal', dismissing clinical signs, prior medical history, MRI evidence etc etc and it's only after getting a second/third opinion do they find out, their test results were not 'normal' after all. There are a lot of reasons (too many to list) when MS is suspected, that its recommended people seriously consider seeing an MS specialist when they are potentially facing a dx of MS, it's not always the right answer but it's usually well worth doing.

In regards to MS, there are many conditions that cause similar sx's, there really isn't anything that's specifically unique to MS, it's more about the collection of various test evidence, suggestive sx's, pattern, history etc so it can take some time to work out exactly what is going on. It isn't actually common for MS to cause bilateral and symmetrical sx's, it can happen but not usually as often as the other conditions that more commonly cause bilateral and symmetrical clinical signs, it still might not be MS so if you can, try to stay open minded, you'll have a better idea when all the tests are done.....

Waiting can be very hard, but it's not unusual for people to be waiting weeks to months between tests, appointments and then waiting again and again until their dx is worked out, so finding patience is a good skill to have when your possibly dealing with a neurological condition..........remember to breath!

Hugs........JJ