Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Please help-Ms? ALS? What?

Dr. Kantor:

I am 51 and have for months been experiencing what the doctor calls "chorea," treated now with clonazepam.  Other symptoms that are wrosening are immense fatigue and feelings of weakness in my left arm and both legs below the knees.  Because I have a pacemaker, I can't have an MRI.  Tests done include a CAT scan, two EEG's and a PET scan, along with lots of blood and urine work.  All "normal."  Although the clonazepam has helped the chorea, the other symptoms remain.  I also take Provigil for the fatigue.  My current doctors insist that I don't need further testing.  My sister was dagnosed with MS in her thirties and is treated currently (she's 54).  I have two aunts with Parkinson's.  Would I benefit from further tests in your opinion?  I am at times miserable---more often now than not.  I appreciate your advice.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
669758 tn?1242330751
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Chorea is not the most common presenting sign in MS.

Has Huntington's disease been looked into?

Have you had a spinal tap?

Evoked Potentials?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, add muscle twitching was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wish for a follow-up response, please, and thank you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your prompt response.  I have had neither the spinal nor the evoked potentials.  I agree about the MS and chorea, plus I'm not having sporadic events-they are rather constant.  My current neuro says that he believes the"battery of tests he has run is sufficient."  I think I offended him when I asked for more tests, insulting his judgment.  The issue for me is clear, however.  The meds help some, but the weakening symptoms and fatigue are especially getting worse.  It's hard for me to believe that additional tests might not be helpful in some way.  I am currently in a professional career to which I have worked hard to attain, but I'm worried about my future.  Huntington's was the very first suspicion, but ruled out with blood work.  Thank you; I like the tone of your rseponses as well as the wisdom they show for those of us who can feel rather helpless at times.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease