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Should I seek a neurologist follow up for ON and possible MS?

Hello,

I had a severe bout of optic neuritis almost 11 years ago (I am now 35 years old), but because I wasn't insured back then, I didn't follow through like I should have.  I never recovered full vision in my left eye following the optic nerve swelling.  I noticed about a year ago that my left eye just drifts on its own when I don't consciously work to  focus it (worse when I'm tired).  Over the past 10 years I have also had significant problems with chronic pain and occasional numbness and tingling in my extremities, hyper reflexes, as well as weakness on my left side.  I do have several herniated discs in my neck, one of which is compressing my spinal cord.  I have also had significant pain in my right hip and leg that hasn't been fully explained.  I went to see an ophthalmologist about my drifting eye, and he said that my optical nerve was pale but not swollen and the field test shows a large swath of no vision in the bottom left area of my left eye (also, the field test cause my left eye to hurt so badly, just moving my eye felt like a knife stab to my skull, and even a day later it hurts terribly to move my left eye)..  I just spoke with the nurse, and they want to use the field test as a baseline in case something happens again, but don't want to follow up with anything else.  What I want to know is - should I push for a neurology follow up?  I imagine that my chronic pain and ON are unrelated (at least I hope they are), but if I do have the beginnings of MS, then I would rather find out sooner rather than later so that I can get treatment to slow the progression.  I just wanted to get some opinions about what I should do - should I get a neuro follow up, or should I just stop worrying?  If anyone has any input put for me, I would be extremely appreciative.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and respond to my query - this is causing some anxiety for me, so any opinions are extremely valuable.

With kindest regards,
Andrea
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429700 tn?1308007823
You are more than overdue to see a neurologist!  Not only do you need to rule out MS, but to simply check on the compressed nerve in your neck.  

Welcome, to our forum.  I hope you poke and around (lots of good info in the Health pages BTW) and stay awhile!  

Debbie
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Avatar universal
I would definitely seek neurological help.  If it is MS (as 25% of ON is) the sooner you know the better. I have been reading a book by George Jellinek and the advice he gives is that lifestyle changes are best started ASAP to prevent brain deterioration which is progressing even through apparent relapses.
(George is a medical doctor who is a 2nd generation MS person & runs courses on MS)

All the very best to you :)
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1453990 tn?1329231426
Given your statement,  "Over the past 10 years I have also had significant problems with chronic pain and occasional numbness and tingling in my extremities, hyper reflexes, as well as weakness on my left side", I'd think it would be reasonable to have a neurology consult.  I'd think that given the history of symptoms, a neurologist would order an MRI for baseline purposes and just to make sure there isn't a lesion load inside your brain.  Once they have an MRI and a good neurological exam, you and the neurologist can make more informed decisions going forward.  My opinion is that it is better to have the data and documented baseline to go forward from.  Don't let it get to you:  Better to be proactive and take control of your care.  That will do a lot to reduce your anxiety.

I live in Colorado, and the incidence of Optic Neuritis (ON) and MS here is pretty high.  Almost all ON cases 20 years old and up get referred to a Neuro-Ophthalmologist or Neurologist for evaluation and followup.  In my case, I had ON and the optometrist sent me to a Neuro-Ophthalmologist that started me on IV Steroids, ordered the MRI, VEP and did the Neuro Exam,  I then transferred my care to the Univ of Colorado Health Science Center  Department of Neurology because it is closer to my house.  

Bob
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