Is it possible?

[BG52]

Knowing or not knowing, I am curious about childhood diseases and a link to MS.  Has anybody had spinal meningitis as a child?  I had acute spinal meningitis at six months of age and was hospitalized for over a week.  I wonder, could there be a link to adult MS?

[immisceo]

Meningitis describes what's going on (inflammation of the meninges), but not what caused it. Pick four people who say they had it childhood, and one may have developed it from a virus, another from bacteria, another from a fungus, and another from a drug reaction. In other words, entirely different processes that contributed to the same dangerous presentation.

We just don't know at this point what combination of genetics, environment, and disease exposure leads to MS. It's being worked on by a lot of very dedicated people, but the jury's still out.

[karryon55]

I've not heard of any relationship between spinal meningitis and MS so I can't help you on that subject. I did notice that you have said that you have been dx with MS by your GP but unfortunately a GP or any other doctor other than a Neurologist cannot dx MS in anyone.

I was told I most likely had MS previosly via a hospital physician who had discussed my case and MRI with multiple neurologists and I went to my first Neuro appt expecting them to just confirm this instead the Neuro was quite put out that this had been said to me. It actaully annoyed the Neuro so much that they were more or less dismissive of me from the get go so you could say it didn't go well.

I went on to see another Neuro but requested that no condition be suggested in the referral and see what the Neuro thought for themselves. This went much better and after about 3 months and further testing I was dx with MS. I just don't want to see you fall into the trap of thinking you are dx with MS as this has to be done with a Neurologist.

Good luck at your appt.

Karry.

[finnsmommy]

What were the symptoms you had to bring you in?

[HVAC]

MS is probably genetic. There may be a trigger but everyone's is different. A GP can't officially diagnose MS.Probaly because the insurance companies because MS drugs are so expensive. You may find the neurologist may do tests over time. It is not uncommon for them to see you every three to six months.They like to see you overtime. Many of them want to see for themselves. Mine would not even take the word of other neurologists. They go by the McDonald Criteria to diagnose MS. My GP found mine.My neurological exam was very abnormal. My MRI clearly showed MS I had dawson's fingers on my MRI which only happens with MS. It still took me two years 4 more MRIs, an evoked potential test, lots of blood tests and a Lumbar Puncture to be diagnosed with MS.

I had been going to neurologists since I was two. They did not know as much about MS is 1965. I forgot about my symptoms after 15 years old. I had had symptoms my whole life so I though I was normal.

Alex

[BG52]

I have been diagnosed when GP ran MRI, it came back with white matter lesions located  frontal, parietal, left temporal. I see the neurologist Feb.5 just wondered if there could be a connection.  I already have one autoimmune disease.

[finnsmommy]

Do you have ms?