Need Help

[MoeFo]

Around May I started to struggle walking any long distances.  Tripping, falling, unsure of my walking.  I found I had to mentally tell myself "heel to toe, heel to toe" in order to drive myself mentally to making my legs function. My legs feel stiff and as if they are like dead wood. If standing for a few minutes it becomes so difficult to walk a couple of feet. Over the last month it has gotten much more difficult.  I went to the g.p.he ordered an MRI.  This came back with the conclusion "would be consistent with MS.  Referred to a neurologist. He did the exam, then order another MRI of my spine, spinal tap, and more blood work. He remarked that the plaques are old. Is this normal procedures?  When the appointment was over I felt like perhaps it isn't MS.  But there is certainly something going on. I wondered if anyone else had these symptoms as well.  Can anyone help?

[OperaMBA]

Be sure to get copies of your MRI images on CD and also a copy of the MRI report.

[Lulu54]

Hi Moe,
Welcome to the forum.  I see you are in Hamilton, OH - we have several members in SW Ohio, including me up in Beavercreek, outside of Dayton.  Have you asked for a MS neurologist to review your records?  It certainly sounds like it could be MS.  Just because the plaque and lesions look old it doesn't make it NOT MS.  

I hope you read some of the health pages and ask us lots more questions.  If you need referrals for Neuros, please let us know.  I know Cosmobirdy is in Middletown and very happy with hers and I see a great one in Columbus at the OSU MS Clinic.

Be well and come back often, Lulu

[essdipity]

Hey, Moe! Welcome to the forum.

Everything you've written is very consistent with MS. Do you have copies of reports from all your exams, etc.? You should, so you can read the conclusions directly. Has your neuro done extensive blood work to rule out the mimics of MS? There are loads. This needs to be done regardless of any other findings. What does the neuro say about your neurological exam---moving, walking, reflexes, etc.? That part should have taken at least half an hour to go through. And what did the neuro tell you himself after all the tests?

Although it does sound as if you have MS, you still want every i dotted and every t crossed. This is such an important matter that will affect you for life, so you want to be sure of getting the best exams and the best care.

If you look to the upper right of our forum pages, you'll see a place to click called Health Pages. That contains many entires about all phases of MS, and will help you understand the exam process. Feel free to ask any questions here. You're among friends.

ess