Hi all, my issues started in January of 2016 with numbness and weakness in my right hand that spread to my arm and leg. I went to my GP who ordered and MRI of the brain and C spine w/wo contrast and referred me to a neurologist. The MRI came back normal and the issue went away a few weeks later. At the beginning of this year the issue came back. My right side feels weak, mostly the arm and leg starting back at the shoulder blade to the top of my foot. The neurologist ordered another brain MRI which came back negative. I've also had an EKG and exam with this neurologist and he does not believe it is MS regardless of symptoms without something showing on an MRI. At this point I don't know hat to believe. These symptoms have persisted for three months now and I don't now if it's health anxiety or if they missed something. I work in law enforcement so I can't take anxiety medication. Over the past two years I've been looked at for stomach inflammation and hives, that were probably a result of job related stress. The weakness has not affected my capability to walk or exercise but I seem to get tired easier. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
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Matt --
Welcome to MS World. Sorry you need to be here.
You're doing the right things to check out your symptoms -- going to your GP, seeing a neurologist, getting an MRI and an EKG.
You may have been told, as many of us have, that lots of illnesses can "mimic" MS. MS is difficult to diagnose. Often, it is a process of ruling out other illnesses first. For some of us, that process takes a long time.
I wish I had some guidance or advice for you, but I really don't -- other than "hang in there". I guess what I'd suggest is to keep a journal that includes your symptoms, your doctor's appointments, your tests, your meds (if you take any for symptom management), etc. Just purchase a small notebook and record everything in there.
Also include questions that come up for you as you go through this process so you'll remember what you want to ask the doctor next time you have an appointment. And, just anything else that you think might be relevant.
I hope it doesn't take a long time for a diagnosis, but, sometimes it does. In the meantime, welcome here. We're very accepting of those in "limbo".~ Faith
MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
(now a Mimibug)
Symptoms began in JAN02
- Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
- In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08.
- Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
- Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.
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MRI of lower spine to look into the leg issue? Spinal tap to see if there´s something in the fluid that would detect MS or an infection?Comment
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Your neurologist may have missed something. It doesn't help for your neuro to order only a brain MRi if you have one or more lesions in your spinal cord and s/he isn't looking there. Your neuro hasn't fully examined you if s/he isn't including all the possibilities that are indicated by your signs and symptoms. Symptoms down your entire right side is suggestive of at least one lesion high in your spinal cord and possibly another one lower, so it's a little puzzling that your neuro wouldn't pick up on that and order spinal MRIs.Originally posted by Matt236 View Post
That's kind of a no-brainer.
Based on that, you might want to ask your neuro for spinal MRIs now. The diagnostic criteria for MS rely heavily on MRI findings, so it doesn't help your case if your neuro isn't looking thoroughly enough to "find" those "findings."
In addition, it would be a good idea to get another opinion from an MS specialist. Even if your current neuro IS an MS specialist, a second opinion from another MS specialist is a good idea. It can take 8 or 10 weeks to get an appointment with a new neuro, so you might want to start looking for one now.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society website has a feature where you can search for Centers for Comprehensive MS or a neurologist (which they call Neurologic Care) at:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Tre...ers-in-MS-Care.
I want to second the suggestion to keep a symptom journal. It will give your doctors a good record of what you've been experiencing and will also prevent you from having to tell your story from scratch over and over and over and over, which can get very tedious after awhile.
Please do come back and let us know how things are going.Comment
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