What is causing these symptoms?

10/18/2015

Here is My Question:
I believe I have had the disease for 2 years, but it became clear to me only 4 months ago. My question is for an expert.

I have been experiencing the following symptoms non stop since the beginning of winter: tingling all over my body, aching & stiff joints, muscle twitches and spasms, pain all over my body in fingers and legs, left calf cramp, stabbing pains, cognitive issues a constant buzzing sensation in my ears, vertigo, chronic visual impairment,painful lower back, burning sensations.

Now I have been to a neurologist and of course I got treated like I didn't have MS. I had an MRi done with and without contrast and also a spinal MRI without contrast. No lesions showed up HOWEVER just before I was due to get my MRi with contraat I was so fed up with the pain and symptoms that I took some oral prednisolone..I actually felt it working in an area of my brain and I believe it reduced some inflammation there. I think this may have altered my MRI with contrast results. So here I am still enduring these symptoms non stop and I have no proof of diagnosis, I know I need a treatment ASAP but I can't get one.

Can anyone give me some advice on what to do next?? I am seriously contemplating suicide because of this, I feel pain everyday and have not been able to function for 4 months straight! Is there any other sort of testing that I should push for??

Thank you Jessica from Australia

Answer:
Dear Jessica,
There are many causes for the symptoms you mention besides MS. It is important to find a doctor who tells you what you have, not what you do not have. The first thing to push for is an explanation for your symptoms. This will in turn lead to an appropriate treatment. If necessary, enlist the help of your primary care doctor to have a direct conversation with the neurologist regarding the differential diagnosis and management of your condition. By the way, oral prednisolone will not substantially alter the appearance of your MRI scan if you have MS.

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of California San Diego

#multiplesclerosis #msdiagnosis

Jessica

10/19/2015 05:01:30 am

Thank you for your reply!

I don't have an appointment until the end of November with my neurologist, and with my doctor I really don't know what the next step would be. What other testings could I push for and what do you recommend? I have done multiple blood tests including a heavy metal poisoning hair mineral analysis test and that came back fine too. The problem is certainly neurological in origin. My neurologist was not very open to testings and he even hesitated on suggesting testings to be done to search for MS. He said he would not do a spinal tap, I am interested in doing an evoke test, spinal tap and a spinal mri with contrast. I just don't know if this neurologist is going to be very supportive and cooperative.

The only evidence I do have is a test I did with a naturopath, she found I had an inflammatory response going on in my white blood cells and I also have patches of low alpha wave over my brain I had a QEEG done with another specialist but my neurologist did not really find it insightful to anything.

Dr Kinkel

10/25/2015 06:01:45 pm

You shouldn't have to push for any test. The job of your neurologist is to determine what test is appropriate for the circumstances. Stick with the plan I outlined above. If your neurologist is not able to answer your questions at the end of your next appointment, ask for a referral to get another independent opinion.

10/25/2015 06:35:08 pm

Dr Kinkel

Thank you very much I will do exactly that. Hopefully he will be helpful because the process of finding another neurologist is timely. I have a question what if a spinal tap comes back showing inflammation but an MRI does not what is the next step for a neurologist to take? What other testings would need to be done

10/28/2015 06:59:56 pm

Hello again dr Kinkel
I was wondering if I could get your opinion on my MRI results? I would like to get a second opinion as I think there may be something in the brainstem area but the doctor who did my report said everything was normal. I could email you my results if you would care to take a look.

Thank you

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