Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Does this have to be MS?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Does this have to be MS?

    Earlier this year I developed pain in my hands after (I assumed) lifting boxes at work repetitively for several months. I had some time off to rest, but amazingly the pain got worse and spread. For nearly four months I was virtually disabled with near-constant pain in my wrists, forearms and shoulders. I experienced a great deal of tingling in my hands too. I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tendonitis, but neither were correct. I was then diagnosed with fibromyalgia and upon trigger point therapy treatment (namely massage) my symptoms have nearly completely cleared, except for some residual tingling and weakness (easily fatigued).

    However, I recently had my eyes checked and it turns out I have some very mild Optic Neuritis in both eyes. I don't have any noticeable visual problems other than flashes, floaters and fatigue (mostly due to not wearing my glasses).

    This worries me a lot. Together with this above experience, the apparent ON, and the fact that occasionally I get tingling or buzzing in my feet, and more chronic back pain (lumbar and thoracic, often debilitating - although I do have mild scoliosis) and frequent migraines, I'm afraid this is MS.

    Does ON have to be caused by MS? I happen to have a nasty virus at the moment and potentially celiac disease, so could those be potential causes too?

    The ON didn't seem to concern the optometrist I saw, so I'm assuming it wasn't that bad. But it was bilateral.

    Please help.

    #2
    "Does this have to be MS?" The short answer is...NO.

    First my understanding is ON is usually, or more often not bilateral, and having ON does NOT always mean MS, there are other things it can relate to. There is a lot more to Dxing MS that just going by a web search of symptoms.

    Second you should see a good MD type eye doc, preferably a neuro- ophthalmologist for the suspected ON. I doubt a optometrist is normally properly qualified to even Dx optic neuritis in the first place.

    Third.. sounds to me like you are grasping at straws seeking real answers to a real problem. Some of us went years, (in my case decades) w/o knowing what to name or label our weird problems. Jumping the gun and treating for MS when its something else can be not only counter productive but DANGEOUS.

    NEVER ***Ume anything, especially when it comes to serious medical issues. If you have a good GP/fam doc, ask them about to good complete workup with a neuro or reputable clinic. I know you want, even need good solid answers for your problems. You are not going to get that on the internet or doctors not properly qualified in the special areas you need. You need a good doc that will LISTEN and refer as needed.

    Good luck in your venture, and I hope you get real answers.

    Gomer Sir Falls-a-lot

    Comment


      #3
      Hi m1989:
      Conditions other than MS can cause ON, and sometimes no cause for ON is ever found. But the question I have is what evidence your optometrist's diagnosis of "very mild" bilateral ON was based on. If it's that mild, it might not be ON at all. It might be something else. Flashes and floaters are not typical ON symptoms.

      On the other hand, ON, even if "very mild," isn't normal, and a bilateral presentation isn't typical. Your optometrist should have been concerned. If there's any chance that you do have ON, your optometrist should have referred you to an ophthalmologist for further workup.

      Mild ON doesn't necessarily need to be treated, but the underlying cause should be looked for because it can have significant systemic consequences, MS being one example.

      My best advice to you is to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for another opinion about whether what you have is truly ON. If it is, the ophthalmologist should refer you -- maybe to your PCP or maybe to other specialists -- for testing to evaluate for an underlying cause. If it's something else, the doctor will advise you of what, if anything, should be done.

      Regardless of whether or not you have ON, if you think you might have MS based on your tingling, weakness, fatigue and migraines, you should be evaluated by a neurologist anyway. So in addition to seeing an ophthalmologist, you should strongly consider asking your PCP for a referral to a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nmss.org, look for your local chapter) can give you names of neurologists in your area who are experienced with MS, which you can cross-reference with a list of neurologists who accept your medical insurance.

      Comment


        #4
        Thanks for trusting us with your medical questions. I think you really need to see a neurologist ( like Gomer and Redwings advised). We are not doctors here. And if we were, you,still, would be best served to seek a consultation with a neurologist. Good luck

        Comment

        Working...
        X