If it's not Multiple Sclerosis, what could it be? (see details please)?

Question

Say a person has many of the symptoms of MS - numbness/heaviness of the limbs, wakes up with half her face numb, experiences days of feeling those "electrical current" type feelings that you feel when your arm or leg falls asleep, itchiness, low energy, headaches and the like. This person went to a cardiologist because initially they thought it was a vascular problem, but the cardiologist said it's most likely MS. This person then had a nerve test - which came back "normal". This person then went to a neurologist who said it doesn't seem to be MS at all, but doesn't know what it is.

When this person researched her symptoms online, all indicators point to MS. She will have an MRI, but is waiting on the insurance pre-certification. If it is NOT MS, what else might it be?

Has anyone else ever had any of the symptoms of MS, but then "passed" the nerve test? Did it turn out to be something else? If so what?

Signed - Desperate for answers or clues

Answer 1

I was finally diagnosed with MS after a year. I had been having trouble with migraines and had one that put me into the E.R. The next day, I followed up with my family doctor, who is an elderly small town doc that I basically use because he's local and he can prescribe antibiotics when I'm sick.

After seeing neurologists for five years, this small town doc was the one who came up with the idea to get an MRI. Of course the MRI showed lesions in the white matter of my brain and we went on from there.

I had lab work done to rule out Lymes Disease, which can sometimes mimic MS. And the lumbar puncture, provoked evisuals, and finally they were able to give me a diagnosis.

Just make sure you get your MRI and the lab work to rule out Lymes, and if necessary the lumbar puncture. Those are you best bets to getting a faster diagnosis.

You can also check out the National MS society at www.nationalmssociety.org It's a great site and it gives you symptoms and things like that so that you can go in armed for your next appointment.

Good luck!

Answer 2

MS has a wide range of symptoms. It may take months to confirm a diagnosis. The neurologist will run tests to look for MS and to rule out other possible causes.

Some diagnostic tests used are:

*Blood work - look for Vit B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers

*MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium - identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.

*Evoked potentials - hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.

*Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. Can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.

For a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, at least two separate symptomatic events or changes on MRI and a physical indicator (i.e. change in the central nervous system) must occur.

My MRI showed MS, but I passed my evoked potential and my blood tests couldn't differentiate between MS and Lyme (MS can cause a false positive for Lyme).  So I had to have a lumbar puncture for the final diagnosis. Took about 5 mo. for me to get a definitive diagnosis.

Answer 3

You've already got some good answers. Look up differential diagnoses for MS.

It wasn't easy for me to get diagnosed, but the spinal tap showed bands. Later, when I had MRIs, they showed no lesions. After several years they did.

My Mom has MS too and she was mis diagnosed with Lyme disease.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSR...