MS symptoms?

[sd324]

Hi, Im a 33 yr old woman.  I've been having these problems for the last 18 months now and had numerous tests done.  I'll list the symptoms in order of them appearing.
Tremor,
memory loss,
concentration problems,
very tired,
dropping things,
dribbling saliva from one corner of mouth,
muscle fatigue,
muscle pain,
3 stroke like episodes in 24 hours,
muscles twitch when resting,
vertigo,
tinitus,
everything is too loud and too bright,
feel like there's a light on behind eyes,
severe numbness in mornings (usually on opposite to that I've slept on),
vibration sends shocks up arms.  
Every so often I've been getting quite severe pain in my left eye which last for 24 - 48 hours.  My eyelid is slightly droopy and puffy.  It feels like I have a film over the left side of my eye and there is a glare to the left.
Constant heel pain (diagnosed as plantar fasciitis).  
Muscles are so sore and weak now I can hardly walk any distance at all.  

Had brain MRI done which showed bright spots on basal ganglia (neurologist said they are of debatable importance), also had numerous bloods done which all came back normal.  Been tested for lyme which was negative.  Neurologist thinks I'm suffering from stress but I don't agree, have nothing in my life to be stressed about (except him telling me everyhtings in my head).  Doctor agrees with me that its not stress.  Things are getting worse if anything.  

When I first went to see GP he thought I might have a tumour or MS.  Tumour has been ruled out but no mention has been made of MS again.  My neurologist is not very sympathetic and doesn't seem to listen.  When I went back for MRI results he couldn't even remember sending me for one!

Its pretty frustrating knowing somethings wrong but feeling like I'm not believed!!

[Heather3418]

Your question is extremely important.  I don't want to even hazard a guess, since this would be an injustice to you.  You have some symptoms that could be from MS then other symptoms that are not typical.  So in this case, this is one for the experts.

Your lesion on the basal ganglia IS significant, considering the symptoms you are presenting.  My best adive is getting a second opinion and quickly.  This does not sound like it's caused from anxiety.

There is nothing more important than for you to have the proper medical care and also have a doctor that will LISTEN.  Neuro's seems to suffer from a little brain damage themselves.  At least the ones that I have encoutered over my lifetime.  There is a Neuro out there that will take your symptoms and lesion seriously and keep searching for answers.  Now...the biggest job you have, is to find that Neuro.

I wish I could have helped you with some answers.  Your symptoms are so far out of "my league," that I will not harm you by offering even a suggestion of what I think it may be caused from.

Please keep us posted.  I am most interested to hear what a REAL Neurologist thinks.  Not the idiot that blames things on anxiety and can't even remember sending you for an MRI.  Very suggestive of a doctor that does not review charts before he walks into the room.  Very scary stuff.

Heather  

[essdipity]

Hi there, and welcome to our world! (In more ways than one.)

What you describe is reported to this forum over and over, by nearly everyone who has no diagnosis. The neurologists who are proactive and willing to explore all possibilities are in the small minority, sad to say. Of course not everyone has your symptoms or history, but the huge majority have gotten the runaround by several doctors.

Please read lots of posts here, and you will learn what the MS 'mimics' are and how they can be ruled in or out, also other tests you should have. There are quite a number. And to help you understand more about MRIs, I will bump to the top of the list a classic thread by Quix, our 'resident doc' (not a neurologist and not official here). This is MRIs, Lesions and Symptoms. You will find much helpful info there.

Good luck and keep in touch.

ess

[sd324]

Many thanks for your post.  I have asked my GP to refer me to someone else due to various things the neuro has said/done.  On my first visit, when I only had tremor present, he was quite condescending towards me.  Told me I was clinically obese and had to eat less.  I eat pretty healthily so was quite annoyed by that.  Second visit was for MRI results which he could not remember.  Said they were quite concerned about some spots on my brain, then mumbled into his computer screen for 5 minutes and said I had a lovely brain!!  3rd visit, he told me to give up work, I said I had lost my job due to my ill health at the beginning of '07, so he then told me to get a job, preferrably a happy job like a gardener!!  Unfortunately I live in the UK and we dont seem to have the opportunity to get a second opinion!!  

I should also add that GP today referred me to opthalmologist about eye pain.  Had eyes checked and visual fields etc done 14 months ago and all were fine.

Should also add too that there is MS in my family.

Rant over!!

[sd324]

Many thanks, I have read quite a lot of posts so far and it does make a difference to know that I'm not the only one with no diagnosis.  I will go read the post by Quix.

[sd324]

Also forgot to say, neuro said there was nothing physically wrong and it must be psychological!!  He wants to refer me to neuro-psychologist.

[Heather3418]

Tell your Neuro that you want to REFER HIM to a neuro-psychologist.  He needs to take a pill himself....Geessshhhhhhh!

[sd324]

My thoughts exactly!!  He has prescribed me pramipexol (which I believe is for parkinsons), and even though my doctor thought they were poisoning me (had diarhoea for 8 weeks after starting them), he still insists I take them.  Needless to say, I stopped taking them!!

[sd324]

Quick update.  Finally referred to another neurologist.  He spent about 15 minutes with me and was very efficient.  Images from my previous MRI have been lost so he said if he could not find them I would need another.  Also said if he can see no signs of MS on images then he thinks it is post viral chronic fatigue.  Said he would write within the week.  That was 4 weeks ago and still no letter!  Phoned hospital today who said they would check to make sure the letter had been posted, in other words, its also been misplaced!!  At least were getting somewhere now!!