Spot on my brain

[princessiam]

The doctors are not sure what is wrong. Symptoms: numbness and tingling in my feet, thighs, left side of my face, left arm elbow and below. The pinkie and ring finger on my left hand lose total feeling at times. Migraines and silent migraines (I was told this).  Start at the top of my head and go down to the sides. Chronic fatigue. My feet swell badly. Sharp pains near my heart. Upper back pain a lot. Having memory issues. I have trouble lifting things. I will be walking and lose my balance a lot. I run into things a lot. Just typing this is hurting my left arm. Electric like shocks in my left arm and mainly along the left side of my body. I have joint pain. Mainly in my left hip. Incredible pain in both sides. Muscle spasms every where a lot. The tingling and electric shocks I mainly feel in my left side are starting on my right arm. Not as bad though but still painful. My vision first started when I was 19, I would see only large black spots and very little around the black spots. A few years later they started again this time I would not have peripheral vision and everything would be blurred and I could only see shapes and colors. Bladder problems. My sense of smell also seems much heightened. Been told I have mild arthritis in my left foot and hand. Numerous x-rays, Ct, blood work, B12 levels, EKG, nerve study test all normal. Told I have fibromyalgia but the treatment never worked and they are unsure.  Not normal was my MRI. There was a small white spot. Doctor said it is probably nothing. I am going to get a brain wave test. He said I have the symptoms of MS but the MRI seemed normal so he wants to do more tests. I have been put on Gabapentin and it seems to get rid of the headaches and the electric shocks. But I get used to meds quicker than most people so docs always up the dose on me so it works again. Please excuse my spelling. Please help me. I have to rely on the VA for my medical care. I am a 32 year old female.

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
Many thanks for posting the question via my forum.
Well to diagnose MS we have to rely on Clinical features with correct co-relation with the investigation findings.
So if the treating doctor is confirming the same to you, then i am afraid, we will have to wait.
In general white spots in brain as called "Leukomalacia" and yes, MS is one of the differential diagnosis.Others are 1) Transverse Myelitis, 2) Migraine, etc.

If money is not a problem, then i would suggest you to have a second opinion also with the same reports.
We are here at a very critical stage where there is the final judgment required from the treating/examining doctor, as whether to categorize the disease a MS or not.Hence we need to be dead sure. For the same reason i am advising for a second opinion.

Please continue with the medicines...
Feel free to discuss further, in case on any single doubt..
Regards.

[princessiam]

since i have been taking the babpentin it is of some relief but yet still no changes. nothing new which is good i guess. i wont see the neuroligst again till june.

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
How is the present condition

[MarinaO]

Not sure if I'm allowed to say this but my symptoms are more or less exactly the same as yours.
I was, after a neck and spine MRI, diagnosed as having Chiari Malformation of the brain and a Syrinx in the spine.
I'm not for a minute suggesting that you have the same, just a thought.

MarinaO xx