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What mimics MS?

My neurologist diagnosed me with MS - spinal tap is negative, blood work up negative, MRIs all clean.  I had one brain bleed - thought possible tumor however on its own it dissolved and now have scar tissue.  This is in same part of brain where I have temporal lobe seizures (seizure free for 20 years).  I have developing muscle weakness, overly exhausted consistently or insomnia (never in the middle), always suffered complex migraines, no depression - basically these symptoms make it difficult to work full time.  I need naps, constantly eating, I exercise daily, nothing new on MRI in over 6 years.  I feel like MS is not what I have.  But then what do I have?  My proteins are high. My Complement total was high.   What could make my Dr think I have MS but really be something else?
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987762 tn?1671273328
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome,

It's not uncommon to question the diagnosis but there has to be the suggestive/consistent diagnostic evidence for you to be diagnosed with MS......you've said "MRI's all clean" but at the same time also say you have one temporal lobe lesion "one brain bleed - thought possible tumor however on its own it dissolved and now have scar tissue." there would need to be more than 1 lesion in the frontal lobe, otherwise there isn't the MRI evidence and you don't meet the MS Mcdonald criteria.

For MS to even get on your list you honestly must have some suggestive/consistent evidence, what you've written gives the impression that you don't but there must be more than what you've mentioned.....i'd suggest you look at all your MRI reports and neurological assessment reports to get a better understanding of why MS was your diagnosis and also suggest getting a second opinion with an MS specialising neurologist, if for no other reason than your peace of mind that you've not been misdiagnosed.

Seizures are not that common in MS, stats only around the 2-3% but there is definitely an increased risk for epileptic seizures in the MS population, there has been some small research studies that say temporal lobe epilepsy can be a unique manifestation of multiple sclerosis... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12945947

Barts MS blog lists a few different research links that might be worth reading http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/2013/08/clinic-speak-seizures-and-ms.html

As far as i understand blood test results of increased complement levels are to do with acute or chronic inflammation, it won't exactly identify causation but when high it basically indicates the immune system is activated. I thought decreased complement levels actually increased the risk of some types of autoimmune conditions but to be honest i'm really not sure......what i am sure of is your blood tests don't add any weight towards a dx of MS, abnormal bloods can identify autoimmune conditions that mimic MS eg Lupus, Sarcoidosis, arthritis etc but there would typically be more....

The symptoms you're experiencing could be suggestive of what typically happens when your sleep deprived, but it could indicate nocturnal seizure activity or even be related to your MS.....you need to see your neurologist to discuss the issues your having now and to discuss your confusion about your MS diagnosis, if your not satisfied please consider getting a second opinion!    

Hope that helps....JJ

Helpful - 0
11079760 tn?1483386130
Hi -- that does seem strange. Without evidence in either the Lumbar Puncture or your MRI, I'm not sure what would cause your neurologist to conclude MS.

Here is a link to an article from the National MS Society on mimics:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/Other-Conditions-to-Rule-Out

There are lots of people here far more knowledgeable than me, so I'm sure you will get some good advice. I guess I would encourage you to see a new doctor. From what you've said,  I am wondering if your doc ran out of options to explain your symptoms.

All the best,
Cheryl
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