MS question

[sjed9]

Hi everyone, Just a quick question... I have been through hell for the last five months, lots of despair and pain. I have finally got a referral to see a neurologist and have a brain MRI the doctor suspects MS. But now i am feeling so much better. This last "attack" lasted about five months and it is my third "attack" over 3 years all lasting about six months. Is this typical of MS?  I fear when i go to the neurologist that he will think i am crazy or i will get no help because i am so much better and then I will get my life back on track only to get another "attack"!!!. Can the neuro still tell if it's MS even though it appears i am fine?

[Quixotic1]

Hi, there.

Actually the history of having a batch of symptoms that come and stay for a while, then go away is what the neurologists look for as Shell said.  Each attack can be completely or just a little different.

85% of people with MS start out with the Relapsing Remitting kind which is caracterized by this pattern of attacks (relapses) with come and go.  When that pattern is present it is easier to diagnose.

Yes, you definitely need to write down when each of the times were that you had symptoms, what the symptoms were, what limitations you had and how long it all lasted.  We recommend the use of a timeline to make it clearer for our neurologists.  You can find a discussion of the Timeline here on our Health Pages.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/The-Importance-of-the-Timeline/show/765?cid=36

This should help your doctor see what you have been going through.

If you don't know about this kind of coming and going of symptoms it does sound crazy, but the neuros are trained to keep an eye out for this pattern.

Quix

[sllowe]

Hi there,

No, won't think you are crazy.  Just be sure to describe what happened during the 5 month period, and then the other times.

MS is relapsing, remitting for many.  Though a lot of us wonder when the remitting is going to kick in.  If this is MS, it's a frequent occurrance (to be ok, then not, etc.)

Describe those symptoms best you can for the Dr. Have them jotted down if you need help remembering.

You'll do just fine! When do you go?
-shell