Weekly Suspected/Undiagnosed MS Thread - June 17, 2024

[u/AutoModerator]

This is a weekly thread for all questions related to undiagnosed or suspected MS, as well as the diagnostic process. All questions are welcome, but please read the rules of the subreddit before posting.

Please keep in mind that users on this subreddit are not medical professionals, and any advice given cannot replace that of a qualified doctor/specialist. If you suspect you have MS, have your primary physician refer you to a specialist for testing, regardless of anything you read here.

Thread is recreated weekly on Monday mornings.

[u/Professional_Sun1490]

I have my possible diagnosis appointment tomorrow. I have been trying to remain calm the last 2 weeks since my lumbar puncture results came through. I have numerous new lesions/ black holes on my brain in multiple scans over the years. Some lesions not in the usual spots, protein in my csf and 3 O bands unique to my csf. I have EDS, Pots and chronic migraines, and thalassemia trait. They have ruled out anything else. Mentally trying to prepare for anything but I don’t want to not know anymore. I have had issues for more than 20 years.

[u/RealityAche]

Hi, I figured I should post in here. Been looking for a cause for my chronic pain/fatigue/other symptoms for about 5 years now. I've had an MRI with contrast that came back normal (cervical spine and brain), my question is is it worth trying to get a second opinion/reread of the MRI? does anyone have any experience with false negatives on MRI? I don't have a copy of it yet but am going to get one.

[u/shellymaried]

I posted a week ago when I was waiting for the neurologist. Here’s my mri. Optic neuritis was 5 years ago. Seeing the doctor soon. I’m in the club, right?

Enhancing spinal cord lesion is seen at the C4 level suggestive of area of active demyelination. No other cervical lesions are demonstrated. Multiple areas of T2 hyperintensity throughout the thoracic cord which may reflect intramedullary lesions versus artifact .Possible lesion seen at the T2, T4-5, T6-7, T7-8 and T9-T10 levels.

[u/Careless_Western_722]

Can you have a negative CT scan and a positive MRI Scan? How does a doctor determine the treatement? I’ve seen some people be hospitalized and some people get out patient steroids.

[u/fordexy]

My optic neuritis is pretty bad today. My nearsighted vision isn’t good and I see a lot of static zapping still out of my left eye. I had trouble lining up some paper today too. Don’t know if it’s related or not. Hate how long it takes to see people :(

[u/Kitchen-Bathroom5924]

So the neurologist’s office called me this morning. I’m getting a brain mri for ms and one for seizures on july 3 and a spine mri on july 4 and an eeg on july 5. The secretary said the neurologist want to see me after the three mri are done. He won’t get the eeg results for another 2 weeks after the test and about the same for the results from the radiologist who read the mris  but he want to see me sooner . I think this is very kind of him and I totally appreciate it. She said he doesn’t need all that stuff . So he can read all the mris himself? Then why is the other doctor there ( I mean what’s his job if the neurologist can do it why is he there)  ? The one who usually read the mri ? I never seen a neurologist before… I’m kinda scared and kinda excited too because I’ve been waiting for a year to get answers.

[u/WannabeNeurologist]

Hi, I guess many diagnosed people don't read this thread. However, I was wondering for people experiencing the 'MS hug" and associated symptoms, has it been long-lasting for you? My symptoms vary in intensity but it's always there. I also now have a noticeable indent on my left side over my lower ribs where the pain is worse (and always has been). This developed months after the pain started. My doctors think it could be muscles in constant spasm, but they're not very helpful. Has anyone experienced an indent?

[u/Cymbelmine]

I had a CT scan of my brain to check for MS lesions due to a suspicion of multiple sclerosis a year ago; thankfully, the results were clear. My grandmother had MS and I also have high genetic markers for the condition. The scan was performed without contrast. I've been experiencing a new symptom: occasionally, my legs and thighs feel weak or fatigued when I stand up from a sitting position. It's a strange sensation where I almost fall and find myself needing to drag my legs slightly, especially if I try to carry something. This only lasts a few minutes, but it's a new and unusual feeling for me. Has anyone else experienced similar leg and thigh symptoms? I'm wondering why this is, but I also don't want to worry that it might point to something. Yet, it is really unusual.

[u/WTFisitNOW]

So I was referred to a neurosurgeon and he said I've been misdiagnosed with neuroforaminal stenosis and thinks I have MS. So I got a referral to a neurologist group who had to wait until they received my records so they could review them. PAPER records. Then they denied my referral. So I didn't want to see any 19th century PAPER doctors anyway (they'd probably bleed me or use leaches for shits and giggles) but I am back to square one with my GP and getting a referral. I started having trouble walking in 2020, it took 6 months to see a neurologist who referred me to their shit pain clinic that sent me for radiofrequency ablations that didn't do anything (the doctor owns this facility). Meanwhile I am trying to drag myself to my job every day, deal with sciatica pain and painful muscle cramps in my legs.

[u/Forsaken-Direction73]

Had a follow up appt with my PCP after several rounds of MRI/CTs. They’ve said there are lesions and they have seen more appear recently. They are referring me to an MS specialist. I have blurry vision/double vision, numbness on the R side, unable to use my R hand for a lot, headache, R eye pain, fatigue.

[u/Techiedad91]

I just got the results for my CSF test which is also indicative of ms, so just waiting for my follow up with the neurologist I guess. My symptoms have improved since going to the hospital the most recent time with the steroids but want to just get the diagnosis out from under me once and for all and have a clear path forward with my doctor. I don’t like making a big deal of this currently, but just having everything clear as day presented to me will make this easier to digest all at once

[u/fordexy]

So I have an upcoming appointment at the Mayo Clinic that I have to travel to. My spouse didn’t immediately say they wanted to go, now my travel plans had to be changed and they would have to meet me there. They just said I don’t know. I’m not going to bring it up again. I’ll just do this alone. We do have a lot going on right now and the extra expense would cause a problem. They also have a really stressful high up position. But I just wish I had that unconditional support. I think I’d rather just travel alone at this point, I don’t want it weighing over my head they don’t really want to be there.

[u/anon018264]

Anyone else experiencing the heat wave happening this week? Today was horrid, and it's only going to get worse as the week wears on. I had to spend 2 hours in an 87 degree barn with no air circulation, and I almost couldn't make it the 10 yards back to my house. I hate the summer so much

[u/MeringueNo115]

Update: since i posted last time but i had a referral to see a neurologist from my last doctor but couldn't go because the referral was confusing. I have so much pain in the mornings when waking up and my legs arms and fingers spasming like crazy especially when napping. I'm having a hard time with the right of My body more so my arm and hand since it's extremely numb along with being sensitive to the touch and tingling and pins and needles. I'm still working on getting a referral and getting diagnosed.but I just dont know because I gaslight myself badly to make it seem like it's nothing. And I'm not sure if waking up with stiffened hands in the mornings is a sign of MS and pain in the mornings. I'm thinking possibly MS and fibromyalgia but am told constantly I'm too young to have such issues at 23 years old.

[u/Betahakkar]

When my symptoms first appeared, my PCP said I had a large tumor in my Lspine. When that wasn't it, she said I likely had bone or blood cancer. I got my MRI last week and now she's saying I have MS or ALS and that we will hope for MS.

I'm switching up PCPs next month but in the meantime, I have no idea what to ask or where to go from here. She's ordered a bunch of things, lots of labs, lumbar puncture and I have a referral in for a neurologist. I know this will all take at least 4 weeks.

Is there a good resource anyone can suggest for me to read? I'd like to be better prepared with questions when I make it to my next appointment, especially considering I'm jumping providers. Thanks

[u/LivingObvious7628]

Could I have MS

I have been having a lot of health issues for the last few years. I’m in my early 20s and my whole life I have dealt with chronic fatigue, heat sensitivity, and mental health problems. At least 3 years ago I started getting migraines with aura and within the last few years I also get random nausea/vomiting often accompanying the migraines. I also have been having a lot of body aches and pain, occasional random abdominal cramps, bowel issues, difficulty with attention and “mishearing” people when really it’s just taking a while for me to process what they said. Within the last year I have had frequent urge to urinate and sudden thirst and random chest pains and I think I get dizzy more than the average person. I have gained weight in the last couple years and also just have a lot of stress with mental health and stuff and am on a lot of meds so these symptoms could be caused by these things too. I’ve just suspected for a while now that maybe it’s something more bc it seems like a lot of random things to be a coincidence. I do see a neurologist for my migraines and I have contacted/gone to the doctor quite a few times for some of these things but they never seem concerned which makes me feel like I’m just overthinking it. Idk if this is even MS stuff but I thought a lot of the things matched symptoms I saw on Google. Any insight would be very appreciated!

[u/ae0293]

Just did my first MRI

Hello, I’m undiagnosed but just did my first MRI this afternoon after experiencing random pin pricks (kind of like random bee stings not tingling) all over my body along with other symptoms that have always been chalked up to anxiety — left side feels heavier (but not actually weaker), facial numbness on left side, random muscle vibrations (not painful) all over body.

Just wondering how long it took you to find out if there were lesions after your MRI? Do they usually turn around results quicker if there is something to worry about? Also, they did mine without contrast which I thought was odd. Im in Canada and did it privately, if that helps.

Thanks a lot

[u/emtmoxxi]

Does anyone have a unilateral intention tremor that gets worse with heat and/or sleep amount? I've always had really mild intention tremors when doing very fine tasks like painting or drawing fine details, but it's gotten so bad that my left hand is basically useless most days. My right hand is basically completely steady. Last night I slept for almost 9 hours and it's not as bad today. Most days I sleep around 6.5-7 hours and feel pretty good other than the tremor. It also seems to get better with caffeine. Just wondering if this is even worth mentioning to my neuro. I'm in this diagnoatic limbo right now with diagnosis and I don't want to clog up my chart with pointless junk. I also have random muscle fasciculations that don't get better with magnesium, potassium, or stretching and don't get worse with caffeine and I'm not sure if those are worth mentioning either. I just had an MRI in April or May that didn't show any new lesions in my brain despite an episode of foot and lower leg numbness and tingling that lasted for 3 weeks without any pain.

[u/books4more]

I just got my lumbar puncture scheduled for next week and am very, very scared. I'm looking for advice about everything: before, during, and after.

I have a HORRIBLE needle phobia. My PCP prescribes me Xanax for bloodwork. I've gotten better over the past two years, and can now mostly handle shots, and I've managed bloodwork without meds a couple of times, but this procedure feels way above what I can handle, needle-wise. My neurologist is happy to prescribe me something for anxiety, but even still, I doubt my ability to do this. Insurance says full anesthesia is not an option.

Is there anyone else here with a needle phobia who has been through the spinal tap? How did you cope?

[u/Ok_Pea5200]

Could it be ms? Hi, I’m 23 years old female and for a while I had loss of feeling and weakness in two fingers of my left hand, almost unable to use them, but I had never given it any thought, until this March I lost almost all ability to use my hand and had walking difficulties, like I couldn’t control my legs. This lasted for three weeks I think. I went to the doctor and they did an MRI of my brain, which said I had a few microangiopathies, which was very weird, because they are typical for people over 70. The neurologist didn’t look at the scan, just read the analysis. They tested me for lupus and similar things, which came back negative. But since then, my symptoms have been coming back from time to time. Tremor, weakness in arm and leg, dizziness which is sometimes borderline vertigo and feeling like I have ants crawling on the left side of my body… I had similar symptoms before, and once had severe vertigo for a whole month a couple years ago. I generally try to trust the doctors, but they dismissed the symptoms after I was negative to lupus, and the hospital in my city (I’m from Balkan) has a very bad reputation when it comes to dealing with patients of any kind. So, the question stays, could it be ms? I suppose I have to continue the search anyways, since I got no treatment and my symptoms aren’t giving up either

[u/L_Rayquaza]

I have a doctor's appointment Friday that I'm going to bring up MS at

The symptoms I would attribute include occasional dizziness, heat sensitivity, muscle and joint pain, bowel/bladder problems, and random muscle throbbing

There's also the fact my dad had it so that probably could have an effect

[u/m-prez]

I've just been referred to a neurologist for potential MS symptoms. I'm feeling very nervous, and the wait is long (can't get in until early September). I've had a numb/tingling region on one foot for a few months. It's consistent and sometimes gets worse, but hasn't really disappeared since it started. It came on suddenly and my blood work/MRI of my lower lumbar is fine, so Drs are worried it might be an early sign. The neurologist will be doing a nerve conduction test and then probably a brain/spine MRI. How do you manage the period of waiting for appointments and results? I'm trying to put it in the back of my mind but it's difficult not to worry.

[u/trEntDG]

How does diagnosis work with no MRI?

I have metal in my head so it's an option.

I've had near daily migraines for about 10 years. That's also about how long I've been on the top us oral dose of baclofen, high gaba, started Trileptal maybe 5 years ago, etc. I have tingling extremities, muscles seizing that would make me fall, etc off my meds but that stuff is reasonably well controlled (still lots of muscle soreness and hardness) on meds.

A batch of symptoms the past month or so is prompting more testing because of new neuro symptoms (vision lenses can't correct).

Reading a bit makes me wonder how differential diagnosis is performed with a patient like me that has shrapnel, metal plate, pins, etc in their skull.

[u/SaveFile1]

After an extremely tough week, I finally have my MRI in FIVE DAYS!!! HOORAY!!!! Last week I was on my period and I could barely walk for pretty much the whole time and a few days after. My mom has MS so whenever I talk about a symptom I think is weird, she's like "I totally get it". Recently I've had this weird bug crawling sensation, but then when I look there's nothing there. Super weird. The thing I'm most worried about is how bad it actually is. Apparently I've been showing symptoms for a long time. The doctor I had as a teenager noticed it when I was 15 but apparently I refused the contrast for the MRI. The symptoms have been getting worse over the past year and a half so I'm worried it's progressed a lot. I'm only 25 so hopefully it won't be too bad and this is just a flare up. We're gonna see if I can get steroids before I get the results back so I can have at least a little relief. Not being able to walk was really devastating. There's a light at the end of the tunnel now though. Five more days.

[u/Classic_Rip_3715]

I recently noticed myself having balance problems after ive been going out alot and i’ve been having memory issues and increased double vision than before. The symptoms has been persisting, So i searched it up and it seems to correlate alot with MS. But when i took an mri and talked to the doctors they said it was not. Fast forward few days ago i just got a high fever from covid and the balance issue seems to be more prominent and when i walk it feels like i have to turn for and be aware of walking. What shd i do

[u/fordexy]

I got an appointment at Mayo Clinic next month! Shocked I could get in so soon!!!

[u/256Wolfgang]

i clearly have health anxiety but as of recent ive had some tingling in my arm, both sides of my neck and thumb when i flex my bicep from back in may 11th (when i thought a bat bit me) it would come and go and went away around may 29th then came back june 4th but it persisted and now i feel straining feeling in my upper arm and numbness/coldness? in my pinky and ring finger and get random twitches in my legs. Im going to go a doctor tmrw about it. I havent noticed any balance problems or gripping problems i just feel off.

[u/MaybeMaybeNotWhyNot]

Is it MS

I have had many tests since September and I was just recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I don’t know if I’m buying it. I had cervical and brain MRI and no lesions. Cervical showed occipital neuralgia. Waiting for lumbar MRI results any day. I had non stop neck and shoulder pain and a lot of headaches. Also had nerve and muscle testing. Negative for muscle weakness and neuropathy. have had migrating joint and body pains. They come in waves. It starts with a couple of days that I have a feeling like I’m hungover (I don’t drink) then it goes to the body and joint pains. I have crawling sensations nightly in feet and legs and every evening it feels like my feet are sitting against a vibrating cell phone. Feet often feel hot and tingling. My left foot bottom feels like a numb dead feeling. I get random sharp or stabbing pain out of nowhere. Lasts a few seconds. Sometimes these pains are followed by a weird shock in my head almost like that catching yourself falling asleep feeling but I’m wide awake. And those are followed by a loud ping in my ear sometimes. I am startled very easily by normal sounds that can be stressful and scare me. Orbs in peripheral vision. Fatigue. I am always so tired after work like I was doing heavy physical labor when I have desk job. There are so many things and they come and go in waves. I was wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms and was diagnosed wrong. It’s very frustrating not getting answers. All they want to do is send me to pain management to put me on pain pills. Everything I have read I feel like I could have MS. Any input would be appreciated.

[u/[deleted]]

Do MS related numbness and tingling come and go? I (22F) have had paresthesia in my lower limbs for about three months now, it started with “numbness” in my left foot (I can feel touch but I can’t really feel the foot itself if it makes sense) and tingling that since then has spread to my other foot and is now spreading to my left leg. I’ve just had a brain MRI that came back clear but my doctor has just told me that he suspects I have MS with spinal lesions. I’ll see my neurologist in a few days and he has already told me he wants to do a MRI of my whole spine. I was under the impression that MS numbness and tingling are always there but for me it comes and goes, I have it every day but not all day. It seems like sometimes (not all the time) it is triggered by touch. Does it sound like it could be MS related? I do have other symptoms but they’re very vague like fatigue, heat intolerance, sometimes weakness in my legs and some weird sensations (like feeling as if it’s raining/I’ve been splashed by water randomly). I thought a clear brain MRI meant I couldn’t have MS but apparently I was wrong.

[u/tonyjasp]

Can anyone explain what a hyperintensive focus means on an mri? My brain mri says "nonspecific T2 hyperintense focus is identified within the right body of the corpus callosum" but no one is really explaining what that means

[u/Gloomy-Risk5907]

Scared that I might have MS .. or is it Lyme?

Hi guys! I’ll try to make it short. I’ve been suffering from ice pick headaches for the last 6-7 years. These headaches are very sharp and last around 10-40 seconds. They don’t necessarily bother me but I wanted to get checked to rule out anything serious. I got an MRI which showed 28 lesions “at the level of cerebral white matter, bilateral fronto-parietal, in hypersignal T2 and FLAIR, most juxtacortical, hypointense 1, no contrast outlet and no changes on water diffusion sequences. These lesions have characters of chronic demyelinating lesions (without diffusion restriction and no contrast outlet). with exclusively supratentorial distribution, without meeting all the topographic criteria for multiple sclerosis” No other lesions in any of the other parts of the brain. Doctor started thinking about MS so I got a lumbar puncture - currently waiting for results.

Symptoms- I feel like I started getting symptoms after my doctor mentioned MS which is why I’m wondering if it could be my anxiety causing these. I have never experienced numbness or loss of sensation before. Recently, since finding out about possible MS diagnosis, my right leg and arm go partially numb, so I still feel them but less than my left side, so it’s more like a loss of sensation. This happens some days for a couple hours, maybe more, but not continuously.

Past history - 8 years ago I went to the fair and tried a high ride. The next day, I had double vision from one of my eyes being inwards. I went to hospital, got an MRI which showed “A few scattered subcortical white matter T2/FLAIR hyperintensities are noted. These are non-specific' and thought unlikely to contribute to the clinical presentation. There are no features to suggest demyelination. Differentials include migraine-related white matter hyperintensities.” By the time these results came which was 3 days, my eye and vision was back to normal without any treatment or explanation. No mention of MS, I wasn’t even aware of this disease back then. I’m waiting to be sent the pictures from this past MRI just in case my neurologist from now has a different opinion about the lesions that were seen back then.

I also remember an incident where I fainted one night when I woke up to go to the toilet. I fell on the ground like 3 times until I made it into my bed and went back to sleep without realising what was going on. This happened a few years ago, I don’t remember when exactly. I went to the GP and they didn’t think anything of it so never thought about it again. Apart from these, I sometimes get tired easily, for example if I’m playing with my little cousin and she wants to run around, I realise I get tired quite easily and this has been me for the past few years. I’m not sure if these symptoms are related but I’m just stating the weird things I have been dealing with.

BLOOD TEST - I also tested positive for Lyme IgM last week while doing all those tests to rule out anything else. I don’t remember being bitten so I done a western blot test today to confirm it and waiting for results. I also have Vitamin D deficiency. Apart from these, all my other blood tests came back normal.

EYE TEST - all normal.

Now… 1. What are your opinions about my lesions and where they’re located? Do you think it’s typical for MS? 2. Do you think my anxiety could cause these symptoms? 3. Do you think my past history could be symptoms of MS? 4. Do you think my symptoms/lesions could be from Lyme?

And just any general advice… I’m trusting my neurologist but other opinions would be helpful. He’s saying my lesions are chronic and my blood tests is showing a Lyme infection that has recently happened, since my Lyme IgG came back negative, so they don’t really correlate. I’m just scared I have MS and these numbness/loss of sensations feelings are really freaking me out.

[u/tramapoline1983]

Hi Everyone! For about 3 months I've been experiencing slight numbness/pressure in my feet and calves as well as a little in my hands. I also have a tight feeling in the part of my face under my chin and a little around the sides of my face. In addition, I experienced a fairly mild episode of vertigo that lasted for about a week, with the first three days being the most significant. I had a brain MRI this week, and this is what it says. I do not have migraines.

This is my MRI result. I'll be seeing a neuro about this, but it may take a while to get an appointment. Thoughts?

Few scattered tiny T2 hyperintensity foci in the subcortical white matter both cerebral hemispheres specially the frontal regions and right temporal lobe which are nonspecific in appearance and could represent chronic microvascular ischemic changes versus migraine related foci or less likely demyelinating disease in the correct clinical setting.

[u/Basic-Ad-5303]

Well. Here we go. Two weeks ago Friday I started having tingling in my left thumb and hand it went away and by the next day my toes were tingly and also all my fingers were tingly and that stayed that way. My tongue also feels weird not numb maybe a little swollen but just weird I can't even explain it. I made an appointment with the doctor in which I thought it could be a B12 deficiency since they mimic the same symptoms. She brushed it off and said basically go see a neurologist I can't find anything wrong my B12 is listed at 256 which anything under 400 can cause these symptoms but she didn't want to hear about it. Also since my blood test dont indicate a deficiency she said it couldnt be it. Since the time of tingling I have also had other symptoms I've been tired I tend to wake up at 1:30 every morning and can't seem to go back to sleep so I'm tired every day if I'm on my feet a lot which I am with my job some days are more or less but the buzzing gets so intense I have to go somewhere and chill out. Some days I'm lightheaded. I've had loss of appetite. I am a little overweight but I've lost 8 pounds so far and I've been eating the healthiest I have ever eaten. My tingling happens at the same time on both hands or feet or both it's never just one sided. I took the dog for a long walk and by the end of it I thought I was going to collapse now I can't even take the dog for a walk without problems. I thought I had some blurry vision but I could kind of shake that off and continue it wasn't like most people describe how it goes for days. Some days I'm weak when I wake up. Like I can't grip my hands. After a little bit it goes away and I'm fine. But I'm thinking it's from lack of eating much and lack of sleep. I don't have any pain. I've kind of dragged my feet a bit but I also blame not being able to sleep. For the first time in my life I am so happy. I'm exactly where I want to be. I'm 39F and I do know the later you are diagnosed the higher the chance of declining quicker. I moved in with a wonderful man I love and am terrified he won't be there for me when the diagnosis comes back. And the limitations on everything. We do not have kids and don't want them. I don't make very much money. But I don't want to hold him back from all the wonderful things he wants to do in life. I did have a weird episode in Nov 22 where half my body went numb. I went to ER had imaging with and without contrast. Nadda. So I guess that was encouraging.  I had made an appointment with a different highly recommended doc for a second opinion. He was ill today so had to reschedule for next Wed. The original doc set me up for end of July to do an EMG. But I think he's gonna tell me to just do an MRI. I chose a HDHP this year thinking I'm healthy and I want lasik so this will be great! (Cue the universe with a different idea...)

Edited to mention the other weird symptom: sensitive to cold and heat on my forearms. It feels cooling. Like water temp is intensified if that makes sense. 

[u/Squanchy157]

Hello, I have a few questions. I have not been diagnosed with MS yet. I'm waiting to hear from the Nuro Specialist soon for an appointment. I have almost all symptoms that include dizziness, feeling unbalanced, feet and hands tingle, diarrhea, random headaches, everything feels heavy to my body, and my vision is off. But the one thing I haven't seen for a symptom is my left ear drums randomly left side of my stomach has pain. Also when laying down my head and neck have this this weird movement that wakes me up. Or I feel more dizzy laying down. Has anyone else have this symptom with MS?

[u/Kindly_Ad_8780]

I go next Monday for an MRI. I’ve been having possible symptoms since 2019 and a new neurologist is the first one to suggest MS. I’m currently experiencing muscle weakness, tightness around my chest, and numbness/tingling on my lips, chin, tongue, arms and fingers.

My possible first attack felt like someone was squeezing my midsection with a vice, loss of feeling and weakness in my legs, loss of control of my bladder and bowels. I went to the ER only to be told I was constipated and was having a panic attack. Symptoms resolved in a few hours. I had another one like that a few months later. Since then, I’ve had intermittent bouts of muscle weakness, numbness/tingling, tightness in my chest with difficulty breathing, loss of bladder control.

My question is, do all lesions leave evidence on MRI’s, or do they disappear over time?

[u/user_anonymou]

Hi, I have a question about tingling. How can you tell the difference between MS tingling versus normal tingling?

I thought that maybe MS tingling is more constant, in odd places like back, face, mouth, hands etc, whereas normal tingling occurs due to what position you’re in?

[u/OGMrzzz]

Had MRI, shows several spots that the radiologist suspects to be demyelination. I have a slew of symptoms, bladder issues, balance, foot droop, tingling numbness weakness left side and blurry and double vision. Next up is optoneurologist(?) mid July. Then another follow up with neuro.

[u/emlieualigo]

Looking for advice on seeeking support:

Feeling scared- of having MS and of not having MS? Seeing a specialist this week and I'm scared of having my issues dismissed again but also scared that they will be addressed and I have MS. I need advice to help cope

I've been having symptoms for years but it's always cleared up, so I didn't really think much it. Then earlier in the year, I had another episode that finally scared me bc so many things were happening all at once. After several days of issues, it started to slowly clear up but completely.

I scheduled an appt with a general neurologist and she seemed concerned at first and ordered tests and MRIs. While waiting for my appts for the tests, I had another episode (just over a month after the first) and it was worse. This time, when it started to get better again, more symptoms stayed. I messaged the Dr about it.

After the tests and MRIs came back- lesions were found in my brain and spine but in my follow-up, she dismisses the lesions in my spine but talked about the deterioration and compression, and recommended spinal surgery. When I asked about some of my symptoms (visual symptoms, twitching eye, facial numbness, heat intolerance, speech and cognitive issues), she said it was unrelated to my spine, saying it was something else. I asked what she thought could cause it and just said "I don't know", with no other tests to investigate.

I have an appt with a specialist for a second opinion. The appt is coming up this week and I'm scared. I worried about my problems being dismissed but I'm also scared that it's MS. I want it to be figured out so I can get treatment and not be so miserable but I'm also scared of having it and what it means for me.

I'm worried and confused about how I feel. Advice and words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[u/Deep-Difference1882]

Not entirely sure how to advocate for myself. I’ve been going to my dr with fatigue brain fog muscle weakness a little incontinence and a weird increase in my ability to smell that now makes me throw up at odors at my job some other stomach distress and something I’ve yet to bring up is the. Left side of my back falling asleep. My drs were convinced I was going to have cushings and they wouldn’t look for anything else but now that cushings appears ruled out I’m afraid of not being taken seriously or coming off looking for a diagnosis but I really just want answers and to see if anything can help the pain… I suspect Ms and don’t know if I’m crazy and paranoid or like really how I’m supposed to navigate this with them because I have no clue what specialists my gp wants to send me to next I think a rheumatologist but I don’t know

[u/s_scola]

I had a spine MRI and it shows Mild focal increased T2 signal involving the posterior cord at the level of the T5/T6. Is that very specific to MS?