Confused

[muvver]

Hi
Last year, whilst on a course that was held in a room that was very hot and stuffy, I had several strange symptoms - I would forget words, go to answer a question and completely forget the answer, blurred vision, totally foggy brain, everything going black when standing, dizziness, tingling in fingers, stumbling when trying to walk. I also fell down four times over a period of 6 weeks and experienced chronic fatigue. I was referred for MRI [without contrast], by a 'Falls Doctor'. This revealed at least 9 white areas on the brain and damage to cervical discs. Doctor said it was Cerebellar Dysfunction. I asked to be referred to a Neurologist, who ordered a Lumbar Puncture, the Neurologist said that, as there were no oligoclonal bands in the CF it was unlikely that I have Multiple Sclerosis. symptoms unexplained at present. Over the last 2 weeks I have been experiencing the same symptoms as I did last year. This started after sitting in the sun for 10 minutes, with a hat on. I have a strong feeling that I have MS and welcome any comments please.  Carol

[muvver]

Thank you for your reply. I have to see the neurologist on the 12th June and will be asking him if he is an MS specialist.

[muvver]

Thank you for your reply. I have to see the neurologist on the 12th June and will be asking him if he is an MS specialist.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome, i have to agree with Kyle here, though if your sx went away but have now returned, then that limits the other possibilities from my understanding, so it would be in your best interest to return to the neurologist or preferably go one that specialises in MS.

Cheers...........JJ

PS. Let us know how you get on.

[sllowe]

HI Muuver,

Welcome to the forum. I 2nd Kyle - while many MSers will be o-band positive, there is a small percentage this are negative, and the symptoms you describe are not exclusive to MS.

So, where from here? If it were me, I would write down a list of questions for the doctor - 1st question. What are the potential causes of my current symptoms, and the damage found in my brain?

If the damage was found in the cerebellum (thus why this doctor dx cerebellum dysfunction) then the symptoms you mention would be consistent with that (my opinion from what others mention here w/MS lesions in that area). But, to be honest, I do not know much about it further than that.

MS though is a clinical dx, and if the doc is not concerned, then perhaps he or she would be willing to explain to you what has caused the cerebellum dysfunction, and then what you can do to live easier with it. i.e., therapy or rehab, or something that helps you get around w/out the chance of falling, etc.

Thanks for trusting us to thoughts.
-shell

[kwarendorf]

The presence, or absence, of O-bands in CSF is not definitive. Cerebral Dysfunction, AKA ataxia, is a symptom not a diagnosis. It, and the other symptoms you describe can have many causes, among them is MS.

I would think the presence of lesions and the clinical symptoms you exhibit warrant further investigation. If the neurologist you saw was not an MS specialist you may want to find one.

Kyle