Confused and terrified of my body!

[Tesstriplet]

I am 44 yrs old with possible MS.  I had optic neuritis in Jan 07 .  I had had a migraine which felt like my entire semester of my senior yr of college.  My migraine meds weren't helping. I tried over counter pain relief, nothing but pain. My husband was deployed and I had two young children at the time. I had finals and worry for my husband who was fighting in the height of the war.  Stress was my answer until I woke up and couldn't see out of my left eye.  My mother took me to the E.R. I had a. Cat scan and then a MRI.  It showed the ON. I revs IV steroids for several days and then prednisone for a long time.  My sight returned in a month in a half.  Dr said it could be a precursor to MS.  I had no signs of MS at the time.  3yrs go by. I have another migraine attack that lasted 7 days. My dr couldn't figure out how to get rid of it.  I basically stayed in a "drug sleep"! Then another 3yrs go by. My eyes stop tracking together and went to prisms in my lenses.   For the last 1 1/2 yrs I have been fighting fatigue like I have never had, legs feeling so heavy and weak. My dr thought it was my thyroid as I had nodules popping up and tsh was a little bouncy in the ranges.  I had another migraine this last April lasting 9 days.  My dr ordered another MRI w/c.it showed 5 small lessons in th anterior portion of my brain suspicious for a  demylinating disease process. My dr then ordered a lp to confirm or rule out.  This all said to ask my questions. My results were CSF protein 69, CSF glucose 50, CSF WBC 12, MONO 2,lymph 98. CSF oligoclonal bands (12), and 1 paired band in serum. It goes on to say may indicate a co-exciting systematic diseases outside of CNS. what does this mean? The cultures were all negative of any infections or viruses. For the last 7weeks now the tingling in legs has gotten more defined yet not consistent where I feel or how intense.  Yesterday I noticed it in my hands as well.  Today hands and feet are so cold and tingly. I am so weak in arms and legs. My dr faxed my report over to the neuro dr I am seceded to see in July.  His office called today to move up my appt to this coming Monday .  I can not wait for an explanation until then.  Can anyone better explain what's going on??? Thank you in advance for your time and help, seriously scared and confused!

[Tesstriplet]

Thank you

[HVAC]

Why are you confused? It sounds like he is covering all the bases. Most neurologist are double board certified in Psychiatry because it is about the brain too. The way neurologists think is it is not MS until all the evidence convinces them it is MS. We will try to answer your questions.

Alex

[Tesstriplet]

So, I went to my neuro apt.  He drew a ton more labs and ordered   a c spine and t spine MRI.  He did not say I didn't have MS or I did at this point.  Ihe did say I have a lot going on and other things could possibly cause a false positive too (ms on spinal tap). He wants to rule out everything else.  But, if the MRI reports come back positive then definitely MS.  He said once I go on meds for MS there's no going off.  Still confused....and inpatient.

[Tesstriplet]

So, I searched then euro doc I am scheduled to see on Monday I sub specialty is pych.  Another search I did was for neuros with specialty in MS and his name popped up in the refined drs listed.  So, we have decided to see him and if he can not answer our questions, to get us with the dr who can.

[Tesstriplet]

Even with a positive lp? My family dr was 95% sure of MS before my lp. Now, he's convinced.. I am looking up info on the dr I have apt with.  He is different than who I originally was scheduled with for July.  Thank you all for your help and concern. I will let you know what I find out.

[HVAC]

It took me going to a MS Specialist to be diagnosed. I saw many neurologists over the years but none could figure it out. I even had a MRI that showed MS and had a previous neurologist say MS but the neurologist I was referred to was a headache specialist so she said I definitely did not have MS.

Alex

[doublevision1]

The electric sensation you experience when you bend your head forward is called Lhermitte's Sign. In MS it is caused by a lesion on the cervical spinal cord. It may also be a symptom of vitamin B deficiency. There are a few other conditions which may cause it. As Alex said, MS has many mimics so it's important to see a physician who is knowledgable of MS.  It is good that your appointment was moved up so that you can get this figured out sooner than later. Keep us posted.

[Tesstriplet]

I ave not seen a MS. Specialist.  I didn't know there was a difference.  I forgot to mention I also have had electric shock like sensations shoot down my neck and arms when I drop my chin to chest. And dizziness and light headed quite frequently.  I guess I better do some quick research on the neuro I am sched with.  That little bit of info helps guide me in right direction.  Thank you Alex.

[HVAC]

Have you seen a MS Specialist? That would be my next step. All neurologists do not know about MS or how to diagnose it. I am no doctor so I won't say you have MS. Too many things seem like MS.

Alex