WHO'S RIGHT WHO'S WRONG

[Melissa072]

Hi I have had ms symptons since last June, 6 weeks bilater face pain, tingling hands, feet, groin, feet tingled for about 6 months straight then stopped, tingling returns in same spot in both feet in heat, I had twitching, burning, icy cold spots, dizziness for about 8 months now, very mild now though but still there, still feel the twitching or more like a jerking from inside very mildly, but still there, last July I had mri done of brain and whole spine normal, no contrast was used, then I had repeat done in December, once again no contrast, all clear and no change, then Febuary this year repeat mri's with contrast, no change, a neg L.P. My thyroid is fine but I have thyroid antibodies, I have been tested for everything else. Does anyone know what polyneuropathy is. If I have elevated thyroid antibodies can this cause symptons? I also have burning in my back and both arms. I'm worried it is ms and nothing is showing yet, but am also confused, my neruo told me you can never rule out ms, and a top neuro from Boston who is over here said with 2 lots of clear and unchanged mri's as well as a neg L.P. the chances of it being ms are 100% nil. Who is right and who is wrong, why do so many people tell me different things. With all the symptons I've had wouldn't something show up by now. Have many of you out there with a dx of ms had clear brain as well as whole spine mri's done and neg L.P. and still gone on to have ms later on????????????????? I did read something on polyneuropathy that its a bilateral thing affecting both sides evenly, that is what mine is like, whatever it is it's affecting both sides, face, feet, legs, groin, arms, back, the only part of me that its left alone it my stomach and breast area. Thanks guys.

[Deb61]

Here's a pretty good web site about polyneuropathy following.  It looks like there's other causes of it, as well.  Keep us posted . . .

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch095/ch095h.html

[Melissa072]

How is polyneuropathy dx?????

[Deb61]

I am so sorry that you're having those problems, it must be terrible for you--especially when you don't know what's causing them.  I'm not a medical expert, but an ordinary person who's trying to deal with MS and other autoimmune problems but I've been through the wringer trying to get a diagnosis.  Autoimmune problems don't always fit nicely in one category or the other when it comes to a list of particular symptoms.  Many autoimmune problems, may neurological issues.  You may also have more than one autoimmune problem and appear a different times in your life.  

I have an underactive thyroid, and bought a book about it.  An underactive thyroid can cause all sorts of problems including polyneuropathy.  In my case, once the thyroid problem was treated the symptoms you mentioned, disappeared.  About a year and half later, I developed similar symptoms which I can clearly say were MS related.  

I've got other problems that are autoimmune, but don't want to murk up the picture and make it more confusing (plus it's long and boring).  Anyway, I hope this helps.  I know you must be very frustrated and confused--I know I was!

My best,
Deb

[Melissa072]

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