Possible MS

[jen673]

I have had some ms symptoms.  Most noticably the lhermittes phenomenon along with numb and tingly fingertips.  I had an MRI and was diagnosed with MS same day.  Is there any chance they could be wrong?

[jen673]

Thanks for the info.  I don't know how all the people suffering with symptoms and no diagnoses or treatment handle it.  I'm a little OCD and don't handle the unknown very well.  Im just a little (haha) impatient!  It will be interesting to see what would show up if and when I have a brain MRI.  My spinal report said the rest of my spine was in unremarkable condition.  Makes me wonder what else it could be.  How is transverse myelitis different from MS?  I thought they were kinda the same thing.  Do you have any suggestions of things to discuss at my appt.?  I appreciate all your advise -- THANKS!

[BOK2Bjan]

Lhermitte's sign is a sensation that can be caused by a number of different things.  It's always felt as an electrical sensation shooting down the spine and into the limbs.  Where exactly it is felt in the limbs depends on where the causative lesion or damage is located. MS can cause it, but so can other Cervical Spine disorders - myelopathy, Behcet's disease, Transverse Myelitis, Subacute combined degeneration and compression of spinal cord.  

You didn't mention if you had a head MRI to visualize your brain, but the cervical spine has what the radiologist is interpreting as demyelinating lesions.  There are other demyelinating diseases other than MS, but it is the most common.  Lhermitte's sign is thought to commonly be associated with MS as well.  

The fact that your abnormalities are clustered in the C-spine, which is where damage causes the Lhermitte's sign makes me wonder if there isn't some other degenerative process going on.  I too have spinal abnormalities - multiple in my cervical spine - disc bulging at almost all levels and neural foraminal narrowing (where the nerve exits the vertebrae at each level - narrowing causes nerve impingement) and central canal stenosis at C6-C7.  My right arm and hand go numb and buzz etc.  There's also vertebral body arthritic osteophytes.  

Demyelinating lesions are something the radiologist should be able to discern, but I just wanted to let you know that things are definitely not set in concrete yet.  If your Llhermette's sign is caused by MS and it is Relapsing Remitting then it's likely you could have that symptom come and go.  If it is due to C-spine degeneration - that would be less likely.

One of the diagnostic MRI signs is when they see new lesions form in one area and others fade (become less prominent)  that have been seen in a different area over a different span of time.  That's why only one MRI would not be diagnostic - even with other tests and exclusions being made.  Other demyelinating causing diseases must be ruled out, and the clinical signs must be present,  Often Spinal Taps are done for confirmation, however they are not diagnostic in and of themselves.  It is for all these reasons that the diagnosis can take some time.

I had no idea that when I was surprised by my diagnosis,  that four years earlier, I'd had an MRI that had shown demyelinating lesions I hadn't been told about.  Meanwhile I had clinical signs out the wazoo that were all blamed on other diseases I already had.  So, I was quite surprised and know what that feels like.

I wish you the best - but know that so many live very productive lives and many have mild disability.  Many have major problems though, so I certainly don't mean to sound dismissive.  Right now, I'd love to be facing MS alone, but know well that each person has their own burden to bear.  That's why this site will be so valuable for you.

Blessings, Jan

[jen673]

Does anyone know if the Lhermittes syndrome ever goes away?  Also, does anyone with MS also have psoriasis?  My guttate psoriasis popped up about the same time as my LS.  
Thanks, Jeny

[cainer]

well your neuro means that it looks like ms- and your symptoms yeh, it sure sounds like it- no one wants to tell you. - but alot of us have had it ten yr or more and- doing,ok,  not bad- symptoms come and go mostly. you cant possible sawollow this in one day!!  hang in there youl be ok!!  and we are all here for you! you still have alot to offer to your family!
i still have questions about this crasy stuff too!!  hugs!! tick that demiliating- lol i cant spell its suggestive of damage of mylen - someone help me out = they can explain it alot better than me.

[jen673]

Can someone tell me what they think of my MRI report? It's driving me crazy waiting for my neuro appt.!  

[jen673]

Thanks for your comment.  As a 37 year old stay-at-home mom of three, ages 12, 9, and 7, this has been a total shock.  I went from thinking it was maybe a pinched nerve to MS.  The radiologist report said demyelinating disease and my muskuler skeletal doctor said that they mean MS.  With the research on the 3 lesions in my spinal cord and the symptoms they all lead significantly to MS.  It would be a blessing from God hearing from the neuro that this isn't MS.  So I haven't officially been diagnosed with MS from the neuro.  I am sure they will perform some tests next month.  I just hope and pray that I can at least have another 20 normal years with my family to do the things that need me to do.  My children are still babies to me.  

[jen673]

For the last 2 or more months my fingertips have been numb particularly my right hand.  Two weeks ago I suddenly developed guttake psoriasis and a few days later the LS symptom appeared along with my arm acheing and throbbing.  I was referred to a Muscular Skeletal Dr. and he said my reflexes were off.  He ordered a MRI stat and later that night he called to tell me the Radiologist report had 3 lesions on my cervical spine at C2, C3-4, and C5 suggestive of dylemeating disease.  Since then I have researched MS and realized that I have had symptoms that I just blew off like trouble emptying my bladder in the morning hours, tingling hands when I shower, and numb toes when I exercise.  I haven't seen the neurologist yet, but have an appointment in a month.  I feel shaky all the time and constantly dealing with this LS (lhermittes syndrome).  My Dr. prescribed Neurontin and Prednisone to help me while I wait for my appointment.  What do you believe is going on with me?  Please help!

[rooroo41]

was there any mention of lesions on your MRI? typically, along with symptoms, this is the major tell-tale sign on making a diagnosis of MS.  that notwithstanding, there are other reasons for lesions as well. MS usually involves destruction of the myelin. sometimes ths is a rapid decline in sufferers, others smptoms progress and regress over years.  However, if you are concerned or question your diagnosis, you should always, always always, seek a second opinion. Especially if it involves something that can be as debilitating and life altering as MS. best of luck.

[jujuminx]

Tell us your history Jen. Is this the first time you have ever experienced any neurological symptoms?

What did they find on the MRI?  MRI of the what?  Spine, brain? What other tests did they run?

You will find that most people have problems getting a dx of MS even when all indicators point to it. Dr's are just hesitant to do it for a variety of reasons.  Also, it is a dx of exclusion so it usually takes a while to get a dx. For you to appear to get one so fast, there must have been pretty convincing evidence.

What's the dr's recommendation?  DMDs? Even though I know I have MS, actually hearing the dr say it was surreal.  I am still trying to find ways to believe they are wrong. I think it's human nature.

I am sorry about the dx. It ***** but there is life after dx, really there is. There are lots of us living very normal lives.  Anyway, welcome to the forum, glad to meet you although I wish the circumstances were different.

Julie