Looking for a diagnosis

[bmd6307]

About 1 year ago I had an MRI done because of left-sided face, teeth, hand and leg numbness, also some problems with dryness and irritation in my left eye.  The MRI showed 2 lesions consistent with MS.  I then saw a neurologist who did a battery of tests that showed no other signs suggestive of MS so told me to wait 6 months and come back for another MRI.  The majority of my numbness went away and I didn't go back until one year later when I had a full blown  "attack"  with major numbness of my left side, mostly in my face and upper left teeth.  The doctor ordered another MRI which showed NO change.  He also ordered various blood tests which showed off the chart ANA titers.  He then sent me to a rheumatologist who tested me for everything he could think of, it all came back negative.  I then went back to my neurologist who then decided to do a spinal tap.  He told me that it did not matter what the results of the spinal tap were he was diagnosing me with MS, even though I have no other symptoms.  This is all very frustrating.  I am wondering if there is anything else these brain lesions could be consistent with or if there are any other tests I should be having.  I am not ready to just lay down and call this MS.  Also, anyone out there familiar with low-dose naltrexone?  My neurologist wants me to start on Copaxone right away, not ready for that, but am thinking about LDN.  Thanks in advance.  

[essdipity]

Amen to what Lulu says.

If you want to help yourself, and to have the best odds of minimizing your disease, then choose one of the DMDs. LDN may possibly help you to feel better, but it will do nothing to slow or stop MS.

We've had too many people here who only wish they had started on a DMD years back. Some had no choice, because of dodo neuros, and some had your choice. Now they are kicking themselves. Don't be one of these.

ess

[Lulu54]

Hi BMD and welcome to the MedHelp MS forum.  This is a great place to come and ask your questions and find support on this journey.

I believe most everyone here would say kudos to your doctor for not making you wait to have more physical proof of MS lurking in your body. We regularly discuss that MS was routinely diagnosed long before the invention of the MRI, and doctors with the confidence to do so will diagnose on the basis of clinical evidence alone.  Your two separate incidents of neurological problems is enough for the criteria to be satisfied.

Starting on a disease modifying drug (DMD) is not laying down to this disease - it is absolutely the best hope you have of keeping it in check and under control.  LDN shows lots of promise and I believe is used much more in Europe than here in the US.

Please learn more about copaxone and the other DMD's available - I am on copax and it really took little time to make it part of my daily routine.  If I can do it, you certainly can as well.  

I hope you will come through often and keep us informed of your decision and progress. Don't miss our health pages (yellow icon, upper right side of this page) - they are full of  a wealth of information written by our forum members.  

be well,
Lulu