Please Help. I have MS

[coco31]

I've been diagnosed with MS June 2009. I am only 28 years old and this diagnosis is only 4 months old to me, so here goes...... Following an inital episode of optic neurits in my right eye and had 3 days of IV steroids. 5 Weeks later opthalmology  check up, optic neuritis was noted in left eye, more steriods followed by a definte diagnosis, commenced copaxone.

My MRI read as follows:There are multiple high signal foci on FLAIR images in a periventricular and collasal distribution some have finger-like morpholgy "Dawsons Fingers". High signal on FLAIR imaging within the body and splenum of the corpus callosum itself. Laregst focus of high signal is in the left occipital lobe adjacent to the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle. Small illdefined signal of foccin int the cerebellar punducles bilaterally and left pons.

Is this normal for an inital diagnosis of MS?, because in hindsight I've been complaining of MS-type symtpms for at least 5 years. My biggest concern at the moment is fasciculations I'm having mainly in my left leg, around my ankle which are visable and only present when I am resting my leg. I have felt them since the day of diagnosis but its only in the last 2 weeks I realised I could actually see the twitching. I've been very laid back and assumed twiching was part of "healing process" to the damaged nerves. Is there anything on my MRI (above) to suggest cause of this problem? and do I need to bring it to my neurologists attention as I am doing well on copaxone and not schedualed to see him for another 5 months? Is it possible MS is not the diagnosis?

All help and advice is so appreciated.

[cainer]

  HI!!!  Hope it goes away  4  you!!  yes i have them too drives me nuts at night!!  but they will go away  4 a while.  this can stay in remission for a long time so dont let it get tooyou!  i ve had this gosh 4 years  and just last year i had to quit driveing and im 55 years old!!  so we are hear if ya need us!!  hang tuff!!!   tick

[Lulu54]

Hi Sharon, and welcome to this wonderful community of MS patients and people in limbo  awaiting diagnosis.  

You ON and the MRI pretty much seal your dx.  It sounds like MS to me (and to your doctors The lesions spotted on your mri are classic locations and shapes for MS.  

Most of us spend months doubting the diagnosis and wondering what else it could be, so don't be disturbed by these thoughts. Eventually you will come to accept that the doctors are right.  Its good to hear your copaxone therapy is going well -that is the drug I chose also.

The fasciculations are very common - I have them too as well as probably the majority of folks here.    Mine don't hurt - it just feels and looks like I have a bunch of worms wiggling under the surface of my skin - mine mainly happen in my calves.  These are caused by a misfiring of the motor neurons.  I have read that you can calm them down by eliminating stimulants such as caffeine and some drugs.  But I am pretty much stimulant free and still have them, so I don't know for sure if that will be of help to you.

Welcome again here - I hope we will see you around often.  This is a great group willing to share advice and listen when you just need an understanding ear.

be well,
Lulu