follow up soon

[fdmh]

Limbolander with a follow up with MS neuro on Wednesday.  Not really a question, just an update.  I have "7-8 lesions in the white matter, periventricular".  MS neuro said close follow up and he may or may not repeat the MRI.  (Brain only, I've never had tspine mri).  The last one was done at a different facility in May.  I've since had one episode which I would consider a flare, staring with parasthesias in left foot, left leg, then actually a very uncomfortable pain.  It felt like the achey that you get when your hand or foot has fallen asleep and starts to wake up.  I could only compare it to the same feeling I had in left arm that started all of this in the first place, last January.  I've had a lot of blood work, all negative.  And I feel like despite a dx of urethral prolapse several years ago, I have a lot more incontinence than I feel is appropriate for my age (38), and constipation with rectal pain.  I don't know why I feel this but just afraid I won't be taken seriously.  Grandfather had MS, and I have thyroid disease but is under great control. Just need to say that.

[fdmh]

So my full spine mri with and without contrast was Tuesday.  The results came back, totally normal with and without contrast.  The MS specialist still wants to look at them, but I'm not expecting any different.  What a relief, but that doesn't exlain my new parasthesias on left side, brisk reflexes on legs compared to upper extremities.  What a mix of emotions.  I did have lesions in the brain, my last MRI was May of 2009.  He said we didn't need to repeat those, but I had never had my spine scanned.  I see a urogyn next week, then MS doc again in May after this stuff.  I know it's not all in my head.

[fdmh]

My issue is more with feeling like I have a very difficult time straining to have a bm, and a lot of incontinence, stress urge, you name it, several times a day.  He wants to know if it could be a result of the deliveries.  

[lovemy6monkeys]

yay! I'm glad the appointment went well!

Out of curiosity (I'm still very new to all this and ask a lot of questions! Sorry) did he say that the constipation could be caused by spine lesions? When my doctor asked about incontinence/ constipation I said I didn't have a problem. I do have a slight issue with coughing/sneezing incontinence, but after having 6 kids in 11 years that is not unexpected. And, I'm not sure if feeling like you have to go, but only going a little bit counts as constipation?

Sorry to butt in on your thread here with my question!

Again, I'm so glad your appointment went so well!
~Jess

[essdipity]

Good! Now you're making progress.

Isn't it great when a doctor really listens?

Keep us posted, okay?

ess

[fdmh]

My appt went well.  He listened to my concerns, literally told me he was hearing me and my concerns, and that I feel like at my age I shouldn't be having this much concern for incontinence and constipation, and concern that I continue to have new parasthesia.  So he ordered a full spine mri and follwo up appt in 2 months after I see urogyn specialist who I have seen in the past.  

[fdmh]

I've had some of the lab work for mimics, vitamin b12, vit d, ana, sed rate.  EMG's.  I did report the last flare to my neuro and spoke several times on the phone to his nurse.  She said if it affected my strength they would consider giving me a course of steroids, but I would say it didn't.   It lasted several days.  That is a good point to have a focused list about my current bothers.  I definitely am not as nervous as the first time I went. He said it could have been my thyroid and a 1 time episode of 1 elevated antithyroid antibodies, but I have continued to have sx despite my thyroid being under control.  I do trust him.  

[Lulu54]

fdmh,
Have you had other tests to rule out the mimics? Did you report this flare to the poeple at your neuro's office to document the problem?

We know that MS is not inherited but there can be a familial predisposition.  This is a big MyStery to the researchers that they are still looking at.  My aunt had MS  and it runs in my family as well.  

When you see the neuro again, please try to have a short list of the things that bother you the most.  You may be able to list lots of things going on but the doctor is going to need to have a hit list of key items to focus on.

And whatever you do, do not talk about researching on the internet.  They don't like it if you've been researching this disease on your own.  They often feel you have made up the symptoms to fit the disease of the day.

good luck on your followup and be sure to let us know how it goes.

Lulu

[JenEpicFarms]

I'm a Limbolander too, and I certainly wish you a clear cut diagnosis at your follow up. I have another appointment with Mayo in a couple of weeks (although I admit that I'm not nearly as optimistic as I was the first time I went down there).

I hope it all goes well for you!