[MS082009]

I'm new to this forum, so I'm trying to "feel around" and find my "place to sit", if you know what I mean.

I had an accident (I fell off my back steps) resulting in severe head trauma (closed head injury), severe neck trauma, a chest contusion, and a dislocated left thumb. As a result, I immediately started having a lot of symptoms, which they chalked up to my "concussion" (closed head trauma).

Symptoms like: Dizziness, constant severe nausea, speech troubles (stuttering, word repeating, etc.), unsteadiness while attempting to walk, difficulty swallowing (food or drink), extreme pain (in my left hand, back of my neck, headaches, and pain down my back and hips), tremors (arms, legs, torso, etc.), black-outs, very poor short-term memory (inability to retain the day of the week, the date of the day, and the current year), cognitive troubles and problem solving (difficulty in attempting multi-step tasks), also I do not feel hunger or thirst, nor the urge to use the restroom (urinate or bowel movement), severe constipation (can last 5-8 days or more, and that's with takin otc meds to assist.). I usually had low blod pressure (avg. 100/70) before the "accident", but now I have stretches of 2 to 3 hours whereby my blood pressure falls to the 80/40 range and I feel faint (syncope or black-outs), I will try to find something to sit down on, if something is available, if not then I do a "controlled fall" and simply sit down anyways.

When I went to see a Neurologist, he ordered an E.E.G. and MRI (August 17th) of my brain.

When I went back to hear the results (August 27th), he said he had good news and bad news. The good new was, they found nothing wrong on the E.E.G. The bad news was, they found a walnut sized cyst about the center of my brain, also they found 12-16 lesions (spread throughout my brain). My Neurologist told my wife, that these lesions plus my descriptions of all my symptoms, lead him to believe I have Multiple Sclerosis. That was back on August 27th, and he told me two things, one to come back in 2 months, and two, I was unable to return to work (at least until then).

Then when I went back to see my Neurologist (October 19th), he did no further tests, just asked a few questions. We told him (all the symptoms I was still having, those that were the same, those that have gotten worse, and new symptoms, etc.) everything we could think of, but it "seemed" as though he really wasn't listening, just nodding and saying, "uh-huh" and "I see", etc. What he did say, was like a "broken record", come back in 2 more months (this time they will do a follow-up MRI, of my brain), and (although he thinks I will get much better) I still cannot return to work until, at least then.

I know with MS, in order to "officially" diagnose (Dx) it, it must be found in 2 of 3 places, and on 2 or more different occasions. So, this next time, if I have new lesions, maybe they will schedule a spinal tap (if they find evidence, in my spinal tap, of MS), if the evidence from both the MRI & Spinal Tap confirm the diagnosis (Dx), then they can officially say I have MS, and that means be able to start treatment on my symptoms.

[Jules A]

Hi and welcome,
Is your neurologist a MS specialist? If not I'd consider seeing one.

Your history of head injury must make it more difficult to come up with a definitive diagnosis but I always figure the doctors that see nothing but MS should know more than a general neurologist that sees all types of neurological issues. Just my opinion of course.

[PolarExpress]

I believe Jules is right (who knew ). All I can add is Good Luck!

[Kitty]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You can sit anywhere....we're not picky!

I agree....I'd definitely get a second opinion with an MS specialist.

MS is hard enough to diagnose but add a severe head injury to the equation and it would be difficult even for the most experienced Neuro.

You don't want to start a DMD (disease modifying drug) without a sure diagnosis of MS. An MS specialist would be the next step, in my opinion.

[Dejibo]

Hello, and welcome. Come sit by me.


no advice, just hugs.

[ewizabeth]

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm sorry about your fall and all you've been through, what an ordeal.

I agree with Jules as well. I hope you'll find out for sure what it is and I hope your symptoms will start to calm down. Take care.

[SallyC]

Welcome, MS08..

[Jodylee]

Welcome . You can sit yourself wherever you like . I agree with everyone else. If you haven't seen a neuro who specializes in MS you probably should. That's how I was diagnosed.

[freeinhou]

I'll add my welcome...

Second opinions are always adviseable. MS can be tricky. Especially when some other ailment is involved.

Tom

[dmplaura]

Originally Posted by Dejibo

Hello, and welcome. Come sit by me.

Me too, let's make a sandwich!

Welcome to NT!