Signs and symptoms

[oklahomade]

My husband had an episode where he became dizzy, so we went to the doctor, he ordered an MRI. We were told that the MRI showed "a spot" in the deep part of the brain that shouldn't cause any symptoms. The doctor sent him to a neurologists for further eval. He did an evoke potential, my husband's results were "high normal"

This neurologists specializes in MS..he tells my husband that he "most likely has MS" but that the "spot" could be related to stroke. He then orders another MRI which we are still waiting on the results.

Strange thing is, the only symptoms that my husband has is the occasional (twice in 6 mos) dizzy spells that last for 1 minute or so, then go away. He does not have headaches, weakness, trouble walking, vision problems etc. What I want to know is how people are diagnosed. What information should we be asking? I have read about the symptoms, it doesn't seem to fit what is going on with him. The doctor wants to start him on Copaxone.

So far, this has been a 6 mos. wait with little or no communication from the doctors.

[happy23]

How odd. There are usually several crazy things going on to make a person see a neuro, and several tests. I understand that most doctors use the McDonald criteria. If you google it, you will see the test results that is used to confirm MS.

Keep us posted please. I am so sorry you and your husband are going through so much. It is very stressful and very scary.
I wish you both the best. Come here often to chat, people on here are so willing to help, share their our experiences, love and laugh.

[KoKo]

Hello Okla

Welcome!

Strange thing is, the only symptoms that my husband has is the occasional (twice in 6 mos) dizzy spells that last for 1 minute or so, then go away. He does not have headaches, weakness, trouble walking, vision problems etc. What I want to know is how people are diagnosed.

There is a criteria that usually has to be met for an MS diagnosis is made.

This info from the National MS Society explains how MS is diagnosed:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...-ms/index.aspx

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask and we'll be glad to help if we can.

Wishing you and your husband all the best.

Take care,
KoKo

Hi Oklahomade - Your husbands Sx's (or lack there of) sound a lot like how mine began. I went to my PCP and then my first neuro for episodes of "brief" (lasting less that a minute) attacks of dizziness that would last a week on and off and then disappear. This happend three or four times over a three year period.

My first MRI showed a few lesions that were non-specific and the neuro said no MS. My follow up MRI with neuro #2 a year later showed several lesions in all the right places. In the interim I also developed L'hermittes sign along with a numb patch on my leg, both of which resolved after a couple of months...so I guess that sealed the MS deal.

I guess my point is that I really do not have a lot of the "normal" syptoms of MS either...that is why it is different for everyone and sometimes hard to Dx. I started Copaxone a few months back with no issues. As far as the Dx process and what questions you and your husband should be asking, I am sure many of the folks here will chime in that can answer these questions for you much better than I can.

I wish you and your husband the best of luck in navigating this (sometimes frustrating) process

JSSL

[oklahomade]

Thank-you for the information.

[robyn55]

How old is your husband? Is he at risk for things like stroke/TIAs (high BP - overweight/obese - smoker - bad cholesterol readings - family history - etc.). Have you ruled out ear problems? MS isn't the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the symptom is being a little dizzy. It's kind of far down my list. I sure wouldn't take an ABC drug (like Copaxone) on the basis of what you've described.

And - if I were in your husband's shoes - I would rule out the worst stuff first - like possible TIAs/stroke (past or possible future). Those things can kill you or make a mess of you in a couple of hours. I'm not sure all the tests that would be done - but they'd probably include stuff like listening to your husband's carotids - then maybe doing carotid ultrasound if there's any hint of a problem - etc. Most of the examination can be done by a good internal medicine primary care provider - and that doc can order appropriate tests. Then refer to specialists as necessary.

If stroke problems are ruled out - then I'd go to an ear doc. Lots of ear problems cause dizziness.

IMO - MS is kind of an end of the line diagnosis. It is a chronic disease which - if it kills you (and it doesn't in most cases) - usually doesn't do it fast. There's like chronic progressive fulminating MS that can kill you pretty fast (matter of years) - but it's not very common. So I'd rule out all the "horses" first before I started looking for the "zebras" (it's an old medical school thing - rule out the more common things before you start thinking about the exotic ones). Robyn