Anxiety or Neurological

[Eyesnlegs]

At age 34 I had an episode of Optic Neuritis but no MRI to confirm demylineation and a diagnosis of IBS. At age 42 I had 3 eplieptic fits diagnosed as 'tendency to eplilepsy'. At age 48 I had another severe bout of Optic Neuritis, followed by an abnormal MRI when the neurologist said that any more episodes and he would have to declare MS. I am now 53 (just come through a difficult menopause) and in the last 5 years I have had episodes of vertigo, constant problems with blurred / double vision, more digestion problems, constant sinus trouble, forgetting words, inability to take all the information in when I am in crowded places which leads to confusion, foggy days, several falls which have left me with some quite severe damage to limbs. I find myself constantly watching my feet now and have real difficulty negogiating steps and rough terrain. In the last 12 months I have had impingement in my right shoulder which has left me with Chronic tendonosis of the bicep tendon and now to cap it all I have been diagnosed with 'overuse injury' in both knees exacerbated by a degenerative torn cartilage in one knee!!! which may require 6-8 weeks of work. I have a very demanding job and have just handed in a difficult part time PhD. My visit to the neurologist this time has resulted in him suggesting that my symptoms are possibly anxiety driven although he has suggested another MRI should be done to "show me that there has been no progress".  This really surprised me in view of his conclusion 5 years ago. My question is could all this have been brought on by anxiety rather than neurological causes and what about the physical problems - shoulder and knees?

[Eyesnlegs]

The neorologist told me not to opt for a lumbar puncture unless I had critical illness cover on my mortgage as it was not worth the effort. He told me that in his opinion there was nothing else except MS  that would give the results from the mri or cause my symptoms, should I chase the lumbar puncture? By the way my sister has RRMS.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for the update.
Yes a lumbar puncture will help to confirm the diagnosis of MS. The doctor looks for oligoclonal bands in the spinal fluid which indicate increased activity of the immune system. Lumbar puncture helps in ruling out other things if there is confusion about the diagnosis.
As mentioned earlier MS is a very difficult disease to diagnose, people live for years before a definite diagnosis is made.

[Eyesnlegs]

Only just realised that you had replied so sorry - yes I will sign up for the MS forum - do you really think i should pursue as the neorologist said that without a spinal tap he cannot give me a firm diagnosis but there is no other explaination for the changes

[Lulu54]

Please don't buy the "benign" MS label - no MS is benign. It is a disease waiting to flair and destroy important things in your body.  We now know the sooner treatment is started the better off you may be in the long run.  Treatment in the UK for MS is hard to get because of the risk sharing drug scheme - be insistent and get started on a dmd now rather than wait until something worse happens to your body. Don't let the money cost of the drug stop your appropriate treatment.   I'll see you on the MS forum. - Lulu

[Eyesnlegs]

Just checking back to let you know that test results showed some more demhylineation in the brain and the visual evoked potentials were borderline - diagnosis - MS is causing my symptoms as there is no other explaination  but very slow developing and could be classified as Benign MS - I am happy with that result as I no longer feel I am going mad and at the moment the future is good as it is so slow progressing. Thanks for being there when I was low

[Eyesnlegs]

Thanks for your comments, I am seeing a physio for the knees and shoulder they are the cumulative result of all the falls. I am in that no mans land between not knowing if the anxiety is caused by neuro problems or if I have neoro problems causing anxiety. I guess that the new MRI will help with that although it is only looking at the brain and I have had some very strange sensations in my back / spinal area. I was perplexed by the neurologists assumption after his previous observations as the first scan showed several lesions in the brain and top of the spine. It is great to know that there is someone there listening though, I will take your advice and await the test results. Thanks again much appreciated.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Yes it is important to get an MRI done to rule out MS. If there has been no disease progression in recent years that means the possibility of MS is negligible. MS is a very difficult disease to diagnose since its symptoms are common to so many other conditions.
It also seems from your post that you are under a lot of stress possibly due to your Phd coursework. I would suggest you to take mild tranquilizer like Alprazolam. It will also be useful for you to learn some self relaxation techniques like breathing exercises and meditation. Please follow the advice of your doctor regarding knee and shoulder issues. A good rehab specialist may be able to help you.
Hope this helps!