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    Unsure what to think

    My story starts back on September 15th when I had severe ear pain (no infection), followed by headache that lasted 10 days then resulted in left sided numbness from my scalp down my neck, across my shoulder, down my arm to my thumb. September 27th 8 had spinal fusion l5, s1. I mentioned the ongoing numbness to the surgeon who thought maybe it was a pinched nerve in my neck.

    4 weeks later he prescribed 7 days of solumedrol and gabapentin . No relief. Cervical MRI was done Dec. 6th and a hyperintense area was found on the spinal cord at c2. Ortho surgeon refers me to neurosurgeon with the thought of tumor or possible ms.

    Another MRI with contrast of brain. No lesions found on brain. No tumor. The ordered labs of ESR and CRP both were elevated.

    I still have numbness in thumb and facial numbness when I get hot.

    I have a hx of vertigo.

    Neurosurgeon has now referred me to Neurologist. Meet with him January 23rd.

    Any thoughts?? Does ms sound like a possibility??

    #2
    Hi Jen8774 and welcome to MSWorld.

    Do you have the MRI report from the cervical MRI? There is an impression section on the report which may give possible reasons for MRI findings. The MRI and report is not a diagnosis and more testing will probably be needed.

    Multiple Sclerosis can be a difficult to diagnose. Many things can cause symptoms that are similar to those seen in MS. There is no symptom(s) exclusive MS and there is no single test, by it's self, that can give a definitive diagnosis of this disease.

    There is no blood test, at this time, that will indicate MS. All bloodwork you may have is to rule in/out other conditions.

    Information about diagnosing MS:
    https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sy.../Diagnosing-MS

    Information about some of the other conditions that would need to be ruled out:
    https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Sy...ns-to-Rule-Out
    Diagnosed 1984
    “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

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      #3
      Impression
      8 x 6 x 3 mm hyperintensity identified in the left aspect of the cervical
      cord posterior to C2 level, differential for this would include a plaque due
      to multiple sclerosis, focal myelitis or a tumor.

      They have ruled out a tumor.

      Comment


        #4
        Hopefully your appointment with the Neurologist will bring some answers. In the mean time feel free to ask questions and jump into any of the conversations (threads)
        Diagnosed 1984
        “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

        Comment


          #5
          Hi Jen8774

          Welcome to the message boards, and good luck at your appointment with the neurologist.

          You will most likely have more tests, such as neuro clinical exam, lumbar puncture to analyze the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid), EP, VEP (evoked potentials, visual evoked potentials), and other rule out tests. SNOOPY provided some very good links to this info.

          Let us know how your appointment goes.

          Good luck and hang in there Jen.

          Take Care
          PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
          ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

          Comment


            #6
            Welcome to MS World.
            ~ 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.

            Comment


              #7
              Update from Neuro visit.

              Originally posted by Jen8774 View Post
              My story starts back on September 15th when I had severe ear pain (no infection), followed by headache that lasted 10 days then resulted in left sided numbness from my scalp down my neck, across my shoulder, down my arm to my thumb. September 27th 8 had spinal fusion l5, s1. I mentioned the ongoing numbness to the surgeon who thought maybe it was a pinched nerve in my neck.

              4 weeks later he prescribed 7 days of solumedrol and gabapentin . No relief. Cervical MRI was done Dec. 6th and a hyperintense area was found on the spinal cord at c2. Ortho surgeon refers me to neurosurgeon with the thought of tumor or possible ms.

              Another MRI with contrast of brain. No lesions found on brain. No tumor. The ordered labs of ESR and CRP both were elevated.

              I still have numbness in thumb and facial numbness when I get hot.

              I have a hx of vertigo.

              Neurosurgeon has now referred me to Neurologist. Meet with him January 23rd.

              Any thoughts?? Does ms sound like a possibility??
              UPDATE☆☆

              I was seen by a neurologist on the 23rd. He did an in office neuro exam and didnt say whether I passed of failed. He asked me to have a seat when he was finished and then said. " you have a lesion on your spinal cord and a lesion on the right frontal lobe . The one on the brain I am not worried about it because it's small. You could have ms or focal myelitis. We could do a spinal, but it could be negative and you could still have ms. Mri says we should do a repeat in 3 months to check stability, I think we can wait 6 months. " That's it.

              I still have the numbness. The face numbness went from just the jaw line to the whole cheek to include burning around my eye.

              So now I wait

              Comment


                #8
                Hi Jen8774

                I'm sorry that you didn't get any answers from your neuro.
                I hope your numbness goes away and you feel better soon.

                Hopefully you'll get more answers at your next appointment.

                Take care
                Ei

                Comment


                  #9
                  Second Opinion

                  Hi Jen

                  waiting is the hardest part of this. However, if it were me, I would seek out a 2nd opinion from an MS Specialist.

                  More and more studies seem to be showing that early diagnosis and placement on disease modifying drugs/treatments (DMDs/DMTs) are linked to delayed disease progression/disability progression.

                  I would not be content or comfortable with the "wait and see" approach. My initial diagnosing neurologist was aggressive and persistent in finding out what was wrong with me--to the point of doing peer reviews of my charts with other neurologists. After my diagnosis, he also encouraged me to seek out a second opinion from an MS specialist where it was confirmed that I had MS.

                  While your neuro was hesitant to do a spinal tap because it could be negative, what if it is positive and he's delaying treatment?

                  I would make an appointment with an MS Specialist--even if you aren't seen for 2 or 3 months, at least it's 2 or 3 months of waiting for answers instead of just waiting.

                  Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

                  Comment

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