MS ?

[LD]

Thank you for your time.
in process of waiting for MRI results taken because Neuro thinks possible MS. 3 weeks ago my MD said viral labyrinthitis,but after 2 weeks my head just didn't feel right, like I couldn't shake a dazing off feeling and my speech/language was not right. I thought the stress of ear/vertigo problem was causing thinking problems. Went to ENT, she said doesn't sound like ear, refered to Neurologist.
1992 back "catch" caused major spasm, lasted 3 days
one epipsode of stabing face pain
1996 MD suspected viral menningitis, very sick for 1 month, no test were run
1998 back "catch" disk like problems, severe muscle spasm,paralysed for about 3 weeks due to spasm,sciatic to tip of toes, which continues on and off. MRI taken 1 year later found no disk problem. no meds helped to relieve spasm, HMO did nothing to find out what was wrong. I changed insurance to PPO.
1998 Viral labyrinthis, says MD, very sick, terrible vertigo,no balance at all, sick about 2 weeks
current..."labyrinthis" for 3 weeks, but vomiting/nausau/most of vertigo has stopped. the only symtom that remains is the mental spaceyness,speech and the fingers of left hand are clumsy. Seems I've loss abibilty to spell.
I asked the MRI Tech to give me a hint, but he was tight lipped. Going to my neurologist next week for results.
sound like MS to you? what about other type lesions or what about just plain old stress?
again, thank you for your time. I really appreciate it.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Norma:

I would severely doubt the diagnosis of MS based on a completely normal MRI of the brain and spinal cord.  The etiology of MS is demyelination, and the progression of the disease is the increase in demyelination.  Without demyelination, one does not have the diagnosis of MS.  With severe vitamin B12 deficiency, one should begin to see a macrocytic anemia, and sensory and motor problems usually in the longer nerve tracts (the legs).  I hope that your problem is just vitamin B12.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Linda:

I would probably not drive directly after the spinal tap.  If someone else could drive your car that would be best.  If there are no effects (such as a spinal tap headache), then driving a few hours after the spinal tap should be okay.  I really cannot comment on the "white spots" on your MRI, alot would depend on where they are and how they look.  Your symptoms are fairly generic in that they could be part of your trauma, also they might be early MS (but truthfully, I would not expect your CSF study to show the MS picture as most of the time the clinical exam is convincing enough to give us the diagnosis).  Although I don't think it sounds MS-like (your symptoms) there must be enough on exam to have you undergo the CSF analysis.  I hope that your tap is normal.

CCF Neuro MD

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Norma:

Vitamin B12 therapy does not help MS lesions.  So your problems is the vitamin B12 and I am happy that you are responding so well.  Usually, this disorder is induced by gastric problems, there is also a type that is familial.  The longterm low levels of vitamin B12 usually can effect myelin and this inturn compromises the functioning of the axonal tracts down the spinal column and periperal nerves from the spinal column to the muscles.  Depending on how bad the damage, the body will compensate but it is difficult to say if full recovery will happen.

CCF Neuro MD

[norma]

Dear Doctor, Thank you for your comment i had posted about MS or vitamin B12 deficiency. My MRI of my brain and spinal cord did not show any lesions of MS, however there was increased signal intensity at the dorsal column region of my spinal cord extending from the C2-3 level the C5 level of my cervical spine. My neuro says cervical myelopathy. I do not have anemia but i do have sensory and motor problems such as numbness from my neck down to my feet also my arms and hands. My second neurologist says vitamin B12 causes loss of myelin and demyelination. I had another MRI last month of my cervical area with contrast and there is no change but the good news is it is not worse. This nerve damage in my cevical area was confirmed by my neuro that it was caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. She also told me about "subacute combined degeneration". I would appreciate any information you may have about this subject or comment. My dramatic improvement since the injections of vitamin B12 is unbelieveable but great. Again i would appreciate any comment you may have on this matter.MS or vitamin B12 deficiency? Thank you very much

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Melissia:

As you know, MS is a progressive disorder.  The AFO has little down sides to it.  It will help keep your foot from catching and tripping you.  The only down side is the having to wear it.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Melissa]

i WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MS 6 YEARS AGO THE SYMPTOMS STARTED AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY 6 YR OLD WITH MINOR PROBLEMS THAT STEROIDS DID HELP, I HAD MY LAST BABY EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO, I WAS VERY BLESSED THE ONLY PROBLEM tHAT OCCURRED AFTER MY DELIVERY WAS FOOT DROP,a AFO brace was recommended,I would like to get more info on it pros and cons, It would be greatly appreciated.

[norma]

MS or vitamin b12 deficiency? I was diagnosed as possible MS in 1980 and within 2 years as definite MS. My nerologist was possitive my symtoms were caused by MS although nothing was conclusive for MS. Numbness, weakness, bladder and bowel control worsened over the years and in 1992 i was confinbed to a wheelchair. I had shaking in my hands that also was a problem.
I had my first MRI in 1998 of my brain and spinal cord while in the hospital. I was completely bedfast. My brain and spinal cord showed no lesions of MS however my neurologist told me he found  after blood test i had vitamin b12 deficiency. I am confused. My neurogical symtoms had worsened for 18 years, but the first symtom started in 1979 with numbness in my foot. Is it possible to have a normal MRI after all these years of progressing neurological problems? I had many injections of vitamin b12 and then monthly injections that i will need for the rest of my life. Now my neurologist says possile MS. I am now walking again but using a wheelchair for long distances. Again is it possible to have a nomal brain and spinal cord MRI, and normal spinal tap after 18 years and still have MS? I beleve this is a follow up comment after i posted one a few days ago. I would appreciate any comment you would have. Thank You

[Carol]

I have been suffering from headaches located on the top of my head. They occur mostly while bending over, squatting down and
any kind of straining.

I had a cat scan and the results were normal. Last week I had a MRI with results of bilateral white matter lesions.

My internest tells me it is a sign of MS or possibly some
mini strokes going on. However I don't have any other symptions.

I made an appt. with a neurologist but have to wait til July to see him.

What do you think? And is it wise to wait so long for an appt.?

Thank you,
Carol

[Kay]

To Linda:  I would highly recommend someone driving you after the
spinal tap.  Better yet, to move as little as possible after the
spinal tap is best.  I had my first spinal tap last July and the
neurologist told me I may have a slight headache.  This "slight"
headache lasted six days and I was totally flat on my back that
whole time missing work.  The minute I would raise my head
even an inch, the pain was intolerable.  You are to drink lots
of liquids and she also told me when the pain lifts, it would be
gone and on day 6 it was gone as if nothing had happened!  I was diagnosed with MS and am now taking Avonex injections weekly.  In all honesty, the worst so far for me was living through the spinal tap.  My advice is to lay flat for as long as you can
after the tap has been completed.  I had a friend who said she
was told you are suppose to lay flat 12 hours after the tap so
good luck and I hope you have a doctor who will listen to you!

[Linda]

I have just had an MRI and they found 3 "white" spots on my brain.  Suggested that they were from previous head injuries or that it could be MS.  Suggested a spinal tap to make diagnosis.  I live 180 miles from the location where the spinal tap will be done.  In your opinion-would you request an overnight stay, or go to a hotel after the test?  I have heard that it is best not to move AT ALL after this spinal tap.  

Also, I have had previous head injuries from car accidents, but I am also experiencing loss of memory, chronic pain in head, neck and shoulder areas, some numbness when sitting or sleeping, clumsiness, and loss of the ability to concentrate.  Are the "white spots" signs of either accidents or MS?  

Thank you for your help.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD,RPS]

thanks for your comment.

CCF Neuro MD

[Robert]

WOnder if this could be porphyria.  Is your urine dark?  At times porphyria can have some symptoms that mimic MS and there is some thought that in some cases they may be related.  Usually, however, major indicators of acute intermittent porphyria are ab pain, hyponatremia (which can cause pitting edema and "brain fog"),dark urine, nuero symptoms from paranoia to respiratory paralysis and siezures or tremors.  Triggers include smoking, alchohol, many meds, fasting, high protien diets, infection.  Treatments include avoidance of triggers, high glucose intake, in some types of acute porphyria also heme adminstration or bloodletting.  Get your nuero to check.  Things you can do to help yourself include stop smoking, drinking, start high glucose for a couple of days and see if symptoms lessen, avoid all meds and caffeiene (including over the counter).  Good luck to you.  Keep looking until you find your answer.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kara:

Your symptoms do not sound like MS.  A muscle twitch can be from many sources and it is difficult to tell you much.

CCF Neuro MD

[Katie]

Just some advise, please.First thing you should know is I suffer from clinical depression. On 30mg Prozac (10mg one day - 20mg the next). Ten months ago I was very sick for about a week - liver slightly enlarged, dizzy, nausea, vomiting, feeling totally awful. Diagnosis: viral infection. Then, about two months ago, burning sensation in right arm, between elbow and wrist.  That was immediately followed by pins & needles in right leg. Then the leg felt weak and shakey, like jello. Electrical shock feeling in spine and down arms (mostly to the right)when I moved my head Stabbing pain in right eye. That passed.Then about two/three weeks ago mild headache started on right side (I thought it was the start of a sinus infection. That has hung on, off and on. No other indications of sinus infection. About this time, I also had a pain on right side (like pleurisy) which lasted for two days.I developed a slight tremor in right hand, which continues - off and on. Vision in right eye is occassionally very blurry. Yesterday, pins and needles in right leg again, followed by weakness - seems worse than before. It felt like my leg had been asleep and was trying to wake up, ginger ale - cold feeling. Today, it still feels weak. I have noticed that I am reversing words when I talk, sometimes. I am also constipated. Could all of these things be part of my depression? I feel kind of like a hypochondriac. I finally made a dr appt, but can't get in for a couple of weeks. The symptoms are very real, but could my mind manifest them. I am busy and active and really totally enjoy life. It is not like I am at home dwelling on what could happen next. Help!! Thank you so much.

[Katie - Would Dr please read earlier pos]

Thank you so much!!!

[kara - Muscle twindge and MS?]

Hello Dr.

I've been noticing little bubble feelings under my skin in my calfs and also in arms occasionally.  I dont know if Im paying extra attention to it or not, but seems like I feel it alot.  Is this always a signal to MS?  Would the MS be in the SPINE if muscle twitch occurs?  Thank you so much

[LD]

one other thing, my right eye lid is droppy,sorta slight swelling vision was blurry but improving.

[LD]

forgot to add, Im 39yo female stopped menstrating 8 months ago,FSH level is 34, not overweight and the clumsyness is my RIGHT hand, not the left.Since I'm at it, the veins in my forehead are buldging on my right side and in the front of my head,seems every vein is evident and that definately concerns me, it happens when I smile or lay on my side. Athough I'm educated, you'd never know by my spelling. Thanks for wading thru it.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear LD:

The progression of symptoms with times of recovery are very "MS" like in their presentation.  However, there are many MS like entities that can fool you.  The list is very long but things like lyme disease, reactions to vaccines, etc. can cloud the picture. This is especially true of diagnosis over the internet.  The clinical exam is the most important diagnostic clue, and I haven't done that, so I can't say for sure.  The MRI and CSF analysis is complementary and if both are positive then the diagnosis is more certain.

Sorry, but I can't say for sure, but it could be MS.

CCF Neuro MD