Hi from me too, Steven.
How did your MRI go? Are you seeing a neuro or an MD?
As you see there will be many tests involved w/the MS workup, and you'll learn a lot here.
You ask a very good question about stress. Many symptoms of diseases frankly, stress us out. This is not to say that your symptoms are due from stress or that they cannot be a cause of stress. It takes a very thorough Dr to get to the bottom of the cause.
I can say for me, that when I went to my MD she said my problem was "classic stress." Since I didn't and still don't go to her very often, I said "this cannot be stress." I can't talk, walk, etc.
She drew a batter of labs, and ordered an MRI on my brain wrote me a scrip for xanax and sent me on my way. The MRI revealed the 1st signs, and I've since then been dx'd with MS. What I also want to add is that while my problem was not "stress induced" the physical and mental stress added to my problems made my existing deficits very much worse.
I've read many experiences of people and our members too that describe how though we didn't realize it, our attacks came on at highly stressful times. For me, I worked best under the gun, if you know what I mean. Was the only way I knew how to work and I liked it. Still do, but I know life and work has to be different for me now.
Hang w/us, let us know how you made out and what the Dr is saying.
ttys,
Shelly
Hi and welcome to the forum. Wonko gave you a very good response. You can also go to the top right hand side of this page or others in the forum/profile and find a quick link listed as health pages. There is a lot of good info there. After reading come back and ask more questions or just hang around and talk.
Peace love and joy
Hi Steven38, I do not have MS but have been on this forum as I (slowly) work toward figuring out what is making me sick.
Anyway, to the best of my knowledge, antibiotics are not effective in treating MS or it's symptoms. However, some antibiotics may have anti-inflammatory properties. Steroids are useful in treating MS symptoms, and are also anti-inflammatory.
Hopefully you get a full round of blood work. There is no blood test for MS, but that's how many other mimics are identified. There are also EMG/nerve conduction studies to determine if a mechanical nerve problem is present. MRIs and lumbar puncture, and evoked potentials are tests done to look for MS. This forum has a lot of info on the diagnostic testing under the health pages:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=36
Good luck!