I am 70 years old, with heart failure for last 18 years, otherwise healthy. In the past several years I have experienced: frequent falls, balance problems, sudden blurred vision which persisted, extreme difficulty climbing stairs (feels like I am wearing cement boots), bowel and urinary incontinence, inability to ride a horse (no muscle tone to grip with), fatigue and chronic insomnia. No doctor has suggested MS until the other day when I was in ER after waking up falling to the left when I tried to walk. He suggested a mild stroke but said the only other thing he could think of was MS. Do my symptoms look similar to any of yours? I'm getting an MRI in severl weeks.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Do I have MS?
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by SusanK View PostI am 70 years old, with heart failure for last 18 years, otherwise healthy. In the past several years I have experienced: frequent falls, balance problems, sudden blurred vision which persisted, extreme difficulty climbing stairs (feels like I am wearing cement boots), bowel and urinary incontinence, inability to ride a horse (no muscle tone to grip with), fatigue and chronic insomnia. No doctor has suggested MS until the other day when I was in ER after waking up falling to the left when I tried to walk. He suggested a mild stroke but said the only other thing he could think of was MS. Do my symptoms look similar to any of yours? I'm getting an MRI in severl weeks.
Most of the symptoms that you have listed may be seen in MS (I have some of them), but may also be seen in other conditions as well.
Diagnosing MS requires meeting a particular criteria.
This info is from the National MS Society:
At this time, there are no symptoms, physical findings or laboratory tests that can, by themselves, determine if a person has MS. Several strategies are used to determine if a person meets the long-established criteria for a diagnosis of MS, and to rule out other possible causes of whatever symptoms the person is experiencing. These strategies include a careful medical history, a neurologic exam and various tests including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EP) and spinal fluid analysis.
Full article: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sy.../Diagnosing-MS
Your MRI results will give your doctor a better picture of what may be going on.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the diagnostic tool that currently offers the most sensitive non-invasive way of imaging the brain, spinal cord, or other areas of the body. It is the preferred imaging method to help establish a diagnosis of MS and to monitor the course of the disease. MRI has made it possible to visualize and understand much more about the underlying pathology of the disease.
Full article: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sy...sing-Tools/MRI
Any other possible conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made.
If you have any other questions, just ask and we'll be glad to help, if we can.
Good luck with your MRI, and let us know what you find out.
Also, be careful moving around with your balance and weakness issues. Don't hesitate to use a mobility device such as a cane or walker (I use a rollator, which helps tremendously) to prevent further falls.
Take CarePPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~
-
Thank you, KoKo.
Thank you for your response to my query. It is helpful. Unfortunately, I should have included the fact that I have been seeing various specialist doctors (vascular and neorologic guys) to find the cause of my leg dysfunction for several years now, and they cannot find a definite cause, although several have proposed possibilities such as my heart function or spinal stenosis. None have been able to say "this is what is doing it and how". That's the reason I have wondered about MS.
Comment
-
Originally posted by SusanK View PostUnfortunately, I should have included the fact that I have been seeing various specialist doctors (vascular and neorologic guys) to find the cause of my leg dysfunction for several years now, and they cannot find a definite cause, although several have proposed possibilities such as my heart function or spinal stenosis. None have been able to say "this is what is doing it and how".
Going round and round with the various specialists, and not getting any definitive answers, must be really deflating, as well as frustrating.
Keep hopeful that things will change for the better.
Take CarePPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~
Comment
-
Did they do an MRI from the ER? Any testing at all since the Dr. Suspected mini stroke or MS? I see you have one scheduled. Is it both the brain and spinal column?
Some of her symptoms can be heart failure based on my father's history, some can be spinal stenosis based on my Mom's history, and yes some could be mini stroke or MS. Or it could be that your complicated medical conditions are contributing different components.
Do you have a primary care physician? Is he an internal medicine doc? If you can't get symptoms tied to specific condition by the specialist, an internist should work with you to map this out.
Good luck to you. Good advice here on helping to avoid falls.Kathy
DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri
Comment
Comment