input PLEASE

[wildandfree]

Needing Input/support Hi all,
I am just looking for some input, support, information, ideas....anything.
I am 32 years old, my sister has MS.
Throughout the last few years I have had random bouts of facial numbness. We have ruled out TIA/Stroke and such. About 10 months ago after a bout of facial numbness I also started having tingly ness and numbness in my right leg and left foot. At this same time I had HORRIBLE vertigo....this lasted about 2 months before going away. In that time I had several blood tests that were all normal. My Vit D was low at 29 and I am supplementing. I also had MRIs of my brain and spine-all normal with one spot that the neurologist said could be from Migraines.
Fast forward....found another neurologist because my old one retired in the intrim. Just met with her. She wants a repeat MRI....is this worth it if my previous one was generally clear? She also did every blood test under the sun that have all come back normal.
Current symptoms that have come and gone since the start of this in October:
constant tingling in my right left and left foot
Vertigo-comes and goes. Right now I have had it for 10 days. Have gone as long as a month without.
Burning spot on my left foot.
Muscle spasms in my abdomen, inner thighs, groin and upper shoulders.
Tight sensations around my ribs
Dulled Vision
more facial numbness
This neuro specialises in MS and says it sounds just like it. Doesn't think I have a pinched nerve or slipped disk. I am just frustrated because of course I have a high deducible and I am afraid I am going to spend all this money on a repeat MRI with no more information than I had 10 months ago....

[Kimba22]

Hi wildandfree,

Welcome to MSWorld, but sorry for the reason why (and also that your sister has MS). Your symptoms sound familiar, although none of them are exclusive to MS. It's good you found a MS Specialist, who can hopefully properly diagnose you.

The earlier MS is diagnosed, the sooner one of the Disease Modifying Therapies can be initiated, which has proven better outcomes in the disease course. But, there is specific criteria known as the MacDonald Criteria that must be fulfilled before a diagnosis of MS is given. Another MRI might provide that information, especially with your history. (Unfortunately, it sometimes takes awhile for lesions to appear with current MRI technology.)

"At this time, there are no symptoms, physical findings or laboratory tests that can — by themselves — determine if a person has MS. The doctor uses several strategies to determine if a person meets the MS diagnostic criteria. In order to make a diagnosis of MS, the physician must:

Find evidence of damage in at least two separate areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves AND
Find evidence that the damage occurred at two different points in time*AND
Rule out all other possible diagnoses." Source NMSS

I'm sorry for your frustrations. I can also relate to the high deductible. But, I agree with your MS Specialist about a MRI. I hope it turns out you don't have MS, but something fixable.

Here's some information that might help you make an informed decision:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Nat...osis-of-MS.pdf

Best of luck, and please keep us updated.

[Mamabug]

...
Fast forward....found another neurologist because my old one retired in the intrim. Just met with her. She wants a repeat MRI....is this worth it if my previous one was generally clear? She also did every blood test under the sun that have all come back normal.
....

I had seven MRI's in the first 2 years of symptoms (2002-2003), prior to dx.
1. following initial flare and ER visit, ordered by an on-call doctor upon a weekend admission to the local hospital
2. two weeks later, with a neurologist at a better facility in a larger city
3. following a second flare, 3 months later
4. at Mayo Clinic, in Rochester
5. ? I don't remember
6. ? I don't remember
7. with my neurologist again. After this one, my MS was diagnosed. Following this MRI, he said it "looks more like MS". I guess there are some things that appeared finger-like in appearance that caught his attention. He was also able to determine that I met the McDonald criteria for diagnosing MS.

MRI's change, over time, and comparing the two MRI's and whatever changes may have occurred might be helpful. Most people won't require so many MRI's, and, yes -- it was a financial hardship, especially on top of two surgeries that were required during those two years (ulnar nerve surgery and sinus surgery).

Since then, my MS Specialist did one in 2008 when I switched doctors, and she does one once every 5 years, as one way to measure progression of the disease.