Strange symptoms, mimic M.S MRI clear.

[genaS]

I have been experiencing strange symptoms of numbness tingling burning and feeling as if my hand was put in an electrical outlet. I have joint pain sporadically, I find that going to sleep is a thing I dread as I know I will be more tired and stiff in the morning. I get head aches often. I recently had an MRI that came back clear. Blood work showed low vitamin D. Just recently its spread to my cheeks and my eyes. It feels as if someone has placed ora-gel on my face. Im not void of feeling but it feel strange. I didn't know adults could get M.s and only just researched after finding out by the MRI tech that Ms is what my doctor was looking for. All my symptoms fit for MS. My symptoms seemed to have started back wards compared to most. My face symptoms have been last and only here and there. Could I have M.S with with a clear MRI? My therapist said that stress can also mimic a neurological disorder. My husband thinks im making it up. Im at my wits end. I just want something to manage my symptoms and pain. help!

[kwarendorf]

Hi Gena - Welcome to the group.

Yes it is possible to be diagnosed with MS and have a clear MRI. It's the exception rather than the rule. If your doc did just a brain MRI then you could have lesioons in your c-spine or t-spine. Were MRI's of those area done?

Kle

[HVAC]

I have no idea what is wrong with you. Are your Neurological exams normal? They are reflexes, etc. That is the first step to finding if you have Neurological deficits. My primary care was able to tell I was not getting signals to the left side of my body. There are many illnesses which have the same symptoms as MS. No test such as MRI proves MS in or out. They just help the doctors. It is a combination of a Neurological exam, your history, your symptoms, blood work for other conditions and MRI,s VEP, and sometimes a LP.

The good news is you can get symptom relief without a diagnosis. I thought I had to have a diagnosis. Your primary care can give you different medications. If you have muscle spasms which are common in MS they can give you muscle relaxers. There are medications for nerve pain. Joint pain can be secondary in MS because it can cause stress on the the joints. For that over the counter medication like Ibuprofen helps.

Stress can certainly cause symptoms. My husband did not want to believe I had anything wrong. He comes from the school of if you ignore it it will go away. That is how he handles his health.

Alex