MS questions

[Monica]

Hi Bill,
I had some similar symptoms about five years ago, numbness, tingling in my legs. That progressed to muscle spasms and other symptoms. My brain MRI showed nothing. I also had a spinal MRI which is more associated with the type of symptoms your friend is having. However, my spinal MRI, where it is more difficult to identify MS looked fine. I totally changed my diet and started taking some herbs, and it stopped progressing and am doing very well. They also can take your spinal fluid, which can indicate whether you may have MS. That test can be very painful, and I was unwilling to do that. The bottom line is that it can be very difficult to diagnose in its early stages. However, there is a catch - more and more studies are showing the earlier you treat it, the better.

I hope this helps. Having had both cancer and possible MS, MS for me was much more frightening. There is an unpredictability about the disease and people not really understanding what you are going through that makes the disease a real challenge.

I hope everything turns out well for your friend.

Best,
Monica

[emily]

Hi Bill,
I have been diagnosed with MS for about 15 years. My symptoms were very similar to your friend and I also had one small hotspot on a brain MRI. I waited a few years-mainly to finish some post grad study- before I went ahead and had nerve conduction tests and the definitive spinal fluid test. It did come up ositive for myelin sheath damage and the protein that indicates MS. At the time I was absolutely devastated as I work as a teacher/researcher in the diability field and had too much information!! fifteen years down the track my symptoms have not changed too mcu although I do get pins & needles in hot weather & suffer from severe fatique. My mobility hasn't been affected and I feel very lucky for that. There are a few types of MS and some remain quite stable. How old is your friend? I was 41 when diagnosed and I think a later diagnosis is better. I do find that my immune sytem is a little compromised and maybe that's why I have breast cancer. However, the most important thing is not too panic and to find a very good neurologist who communicates well. (I'm in Australia so can't help there!) If I can help in any other way please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Emily

[emily]

Just re read my post and saw all the typos! I'm working with one eye at the moment as I have bells palsy one one side of my face. It's reasonably common in people who have MS and others but doesn't usually leave any side effects so no need to frighten your friend. Do let her know that if she had the brain hot spot 15 years ago and is just showing any other symptoms then she is doing extremely well. There is no absolute test and they try to rule out all other possibilities first as you suggest. However the most intrusive thing is the lumbar puncture to collect cns fluid and it usually determines the diagnosis.
Best wishes,
Emily