I'm in limbo and it's not a good place to be. You've been very helpful and I want to update you. Since my first post, Sjogren's was ruled out and the cancer antigens were normal. Although my PCP suggested a lumbar puncture, the neuro at NYU immediately ordered an EMG study instead which showed a pinched nerve and damaged muscle, and apparently ruled out ALS and myasthenia gravis which have distinctive patterns. Based on the EMG, he ordered an MRI of my lumbar spine. No lesions but it showed multilevel degenerative disease with disk herniations at the T12/L1, L1/2, L3/4 and L4/5 and spinal stenosis at the L3/4 and L4/5. I also had 3 bulging disks.The neuro feels that these findings don't explain my symptoms. But, why wouldn't they? It's a wonder I can stand at all. He has referred me for physical therapy; I guess he feels I don't have a neurological/neuromuscular disease. I know spinal stenosis is a PPMS mimic; however, I also know people with MS can have spinal stenosis. I visited my ENT to rule out vestibular disease and he suggested that I have an MRI of my cervical spine and visit the Balance Program at Rusk Institute. He feels if that also shows stenosis it might explain my gait irregularities. You people are very smart. Does this sound like MS or spinal stenosis or both? Or am I in limbo until something else like optic neuritis or lesions show up? Or, a 60 year old hypochondriac with an MS fixation. A friend is getting the name of a spinal specialist for me to help clarify whether it's spinal stenosis or MS from a different non-neuro perspective.
Here's my previous post: I'm 60 years old. About 6 weeks ago I began to experience intermittent problems with my gait -- listing to the left & dragging my left leg. Sometimes I walk normally, sometimes people ask if I need help. the weekend of the Oscars I began to experience chills, shaking (like the flu without fever) and also increased thirst at night along with nocturia. I had an MRI 2 years ago which was normal. I had another MRI last week which was also normal except for unidentified bright spots which the neuro said were common in people with migraine, also weird vitamin deficiencies. I should mention my labs are beautiful (no thyroid problems, lyme, B12 vitamin deficiency etc). The neuro ruled out MS, Parkinson's, and brain tumor. I'm currently being worked up for Sjogren's Syndrome, vitamin abnormalities, and at my suggestion antibodies suggestive of metastatic cancer. The neuro also wants me to see an inner ear specialist. Since March 10th, the date of my first physician visit, I've lost 10 pounds!!!! My physician feels I have a neuromuscular or neurologic disease, not an autoimmune disease. Does anyone have any helpful insights?