how is it diagnosed?

[rwltrz1]

I had an emg test done, normal. and a lower spine mri- normal besides a minor disc bulge, are these two tests enough , I have every single symptom of MS and I FLARE every year in the summer, once was rushed to hospital after tring out a tanning bed and another time almost after a sauna, so heat makes me pretty much gone, even a little heat outside yesterday made my eyes foggy for about 2 hours even after coming in to my air conditioned home. I cant think I cant focus I am tired, lose my balance, have a million pains everyday that they label as psychosomatic, have tingles, vibrations, sometimes cry for no reason sometimes feel overly happy , eurphoric , major stomach issues, kidney and gall stones, salivary stones, no energy need to nap everyday now


i am so frustrated but like i said happens once maybe twice a year but always in heat or if really really cold.

help

[jensequitur]

Yup!  Brain MRI with and without gadolinium contrast.

[rwltrz1]

So what tests are needed, I have had a lower back mri and emg, should i request a spinal tap and a brain mri?

[essdipity]

Hi. Deb has given you very good advice. I would only add that changes in symptoms because of heat are usually considered pseudo-exacerbations. As you've remarked, the problem generally goes away when your body temp returns to normal. It's important to distinguish between these and symptoms that occur regardless of heat.

It does not sound as if you've been tested for MS at all. I don't know that that's what's wrong, and in fact, no one has 'every' symptom of MS. But you do need more info and a referral to a good neurologist.

ess

[rwltrz1]

Usually my flare ups are about 1 month and seem to always be in june or july. yeas heat brings it on but once i cool down in house i returm to normal. thanks for all the info

[Deb61]

Welcome to the forum!  There's lots of good information in the health pages (see upper right hand corner and click on health pages).  There's information on how MS is diagnosed.  Plus, there's information on the many mimics of MS.  Many diseases and problems can cause neurological symptoms.  Plus, there's information in the health pages about MRIs and other diagnostic tests which could be very helpful to you

MS cannot be ruled out with just an EMG and a lower spine MRI.  A lower spine MRI is actually useless, from what I understand, in finding lesions associated with MS.  I haven't heard that stones in the kidney, gall bladder, salivary are related to MS, however, vibrations, tingling, cognitive issues, balance problems, pain, fatigue, eye problems, emotional liability could be--but there are many other problems that can cause this, too.  

How long do these symptoms last?  With MS, symptoms from an attack will last for over 24 hours.  However, when out in the heat, symptoms are kind of reactivated because of old areas that have been demyelinated and will cause symptoms for a short period until your body heat is cooled down.  Until you know why this is happening, I'd stay out of the saunas, etc.  It is not a good thing for people with MS to get overheated (read about this in the health pages).

Again, welcome to the forum.  

Deb