Looks like MS might be the culprit to all these symptoms.

[TimamarieRN]

I have been to Neuro twice and I got I Don't know???? Seeing a MS specialist soon. Started with brain fog and memory issues. Saw my MD and was put on  Addrrall and it took 3 days to realize I didn't need that mess. Few months later I lost the feeling on my left side and thought I was having a stroke. Was admitted for a stroke and the MRI showed multiple lesions on the left side ( which is odd being the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body.) was discharged and told to see Neuro. He wanted to wait three months and do another MRI which showed some of the lesions had grown and more had shown up on the left and right sides. Almost everyday I get tingling and numbness somewhere but mainly around my lips, forehead , eyelids, left side of face and both feet. I am not diabetic nor do I have neuropathy. I have also had 3 ocular migraines in the left eye the latest being today which is why I am here. Once the no pain ocular migraine subsided my flips and eyelids went numb. The other symptom I have is bladder urgency and I will spare you those details. I am 46  and a nurse in a very busy cardiac clinic. I also own an embroidery business, boutique and a very large inflatable business. If this indeed is MS I need to be treated because I can't afford for it to slow me down. For those who have been diagnosed does it sound like MS to you? I appreciate any advice from those with experience

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

I don't think you've provided enough information for me to even speculate, if a neurological condition like MS would even get on your list of most likely medical explanations.

Whilst  there are numerous 'symptoms' commonly associated with neurological conditions like MS, the main issue with 'symptoms' is that the same or similar 'symptoms'  are generally associated with many different types of medical conditions so symptoms aren't necessarily informative objective diagnostic evidence that points towards conditions like MS

Symptoms can be very suggestive but a relapse/remitting symptom pattern can be consistent with lots of different medical conditions too, so in regards to neurological conditions like MS, a persons clinical signs of neurological abnormalities, their brain and spinal cord MRI lesion evidence, visual test evidence, LP's, nerve conductor tests etc hold significantly more weight and puts neurological conditions like MS higher on their most likely medical explanations list.  

The exact locations of lesions is significant to causation, type of lesions ie common ischemia vs demyelinating, number, size, shape, enhanced with contrast, T2, T1, traversing across the spinal cord etc etc etc It's also very common for standard ER run MRI's to show less than any additional MRI's done outside of the ER, it totally depends on many different factors, eg the strength of MRI 1.5T vs 3T, open vs closed. the protocol used 5mm slices vs 3 mm slices etc

At this stage and only going by the information you've given, i personally would highly recommend you try to keep open minded to causation.....it's very possible that what you've been experiencing is migraine related, because some migraine types definitely can mimic MS and it's always going to be in your best interest to not get too concerned that it could be something like MS when it just might turn out to be something else entirely....

Cheers..........JJ    

[suspiciouscombo]

TimamarieRN - Alex has provided cogent and sound information. Something I would not take lightly as she voices from experience.

[HVAC]

I do not want to scare you with the long diagnosis. It just made me feel better when I found out it just was not me. I had recorded neurological problems going back to 1965. I always failed neuro exams badly.I have had MS for 50 years. Every case is different. As you said it is not a death sentence. Not only that they can help with symptoms. I made the mistake of waiting until I was diagnosed to treat symptoms. I now know I suffered needlessly. I have strange headaches too. Sometimes it is as if I am having a stroke. My whole left side goes numb and I lose vision in the left eye. The only reason I think mine are just migraines is immitrex works on them and my symptoms go away.

MS is totally individual. I still swim an hour, walk an hour, ride horses, hike. I spent 3  1/2 in Europe two months ago. I used arm crutches but got everywhere I wanted. I climbed to many castles. I did fall the last day and break my nose. After the hospital I went out sight seeing again.

When I was diagnosed I was super angry. I went into counseling and changed my whole out look on life. I thought I was useless. I waited for all the symptoms of MS to happen. I now know you only get some symptoms. There all different. Mine are not so bad. I have permanent double vision, vertigo, left side weakness, I fall a lot, feet and leg issues every day, head aches ( not as many lately), and pretty bad cognitive problems. I have Primary Progressive MS and not what most people have which is relapsing remitting MS. With PPMS you keep your symptoms. With RRMS the symptoms can come and go with inflammation. Some people once they get on the MS drugs can have longer time between relapsed.

Alex

[TimamarieRN]

Thank you! You are correct I am not versed in diagnosing MS and I pray it's something else but waiting a year or more to get an answer is alarming. Not sure what type of MRI was used but both was with contrast. I have never had a migraine, only ocular migraines which lead to having my carotids checked (no blockages).  It is reassuring to know that if it is MS that it's not a death sentence :)

[HVAC]

Welcome. Of course MS shares symptoms with many illnesses so I can't say but yes MS does have those symptoms. I am not sure you are familiar with diagnosing MS but it usually takes awhile. When the first neurologist I saw thought it was surely MS it took two years of being followed to be diagnosed. It took 5MRIs all showing something called Dawson's fingers which is classic MS, evoked potential tests, which showed eye and hearing abnormalities, lots of blood test negative for everything else, abnormal neuro opthalmology tests, and finally an abnormal LP. All the doctors said it had to be MS but none would confirm it until I saw a MS Specialist for a year and a half.

Advice : keep a symptoms journal every day. When you see the neurologist make an outline less than a page. You can look up the Mc Donald Criteria which is how they diagnose MS. You can treat symptoms it will not mess up the diagnosis process. Many of us are on adderall or other cognitive or fatigue medications.

Many neurologist are funny about headaches and MS so I would not put that first. Many people are told they only have migraines. The most important test is the neurological exam, reflexes and such. That shows the neurologist the most. Was your MRI with and with out contrast and under MS protocal? MS protocal has more slices or pictures. !.5 tesla is okay. In a perfect world a 3 tesla is the best but most people do not have access to one. Also 1.5 tesla MRIs can't be compared to 3 teslas.

Some day they will diagnose MS quickly and get people on treatment quickly. Now days most of us are months or years between or first symptoms and our first medications to slow progression. This is the hardest part of any of our journeys. It is important to know you are not being dismissed. Neurologists like to judge for themselves over time. It is not like cardiac medicine where time is critical.

Hopefully because you are a nurse you will be diagnosed more quickly since you are more versed.

Alex