possible ms

[jeanieden]

I have had symptoms of ms, progressively worsening, for over 10 years. After many tests, doctors, even mayo clinic twice, I have found out a MRI of my head was never done. Only MRI of back twice. I saw 2 different neurologists,was always referred to a pain clinic, given various pain meds. Finally a nerve stimulator was implanted in my spine 10 months ago. Something made me look up ms info, and it fits my symptoms, but Nero!ogist can't do MRI of brain with stim. Implant in me. Are other tests for ms reliable, or w!l that be more waste of time and $ ?

[selmaS]

  Hi...Chiari is a malformation of the skull leaving it too small to contain the cerebral tonsils  which forces them to herniate and create a CSF obstruction or compression of nerves or brain stem.

Many if  not all of the symptoms are the same or similar to MS and many times Chiari is mis-DX'd as MS .

Since you posted in the Chiari forum I thought you were aware of what it was....if needed you could post in the MS forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Multiple-Sclerosis/show/41

[selmaS]

@jeanieden- Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Chiari and MS have similar if not the same symptoms....a LP can be done to help rule out MS...but without a brain MRI it is difficult to know for sure if you have Chiari for not.....the stimulator can be removed to do a MRI and I would suggest you try to get that done....as a stimulator will not help all the issues if you have Chiari....or for that matter Syringomyeila....it may help lask pain...but will not let you know if the issues are worsening

I would say knowing is worth the $.

Just a FYI- there are many mis-DX'd with MS when it was Chiari....so do have more testing to rule out both.

[jeanieden]

what is chiari?