[Jodi2225]

Hi all - Im new to this, so I apologize in advance. I went to the doctor 2 months ago with numbness/loss of feeling in both of my hands and for electric show feeling down my spine when I looked down. After multiple blood tests I was sent to a neurologist who had 3 MRI scans and VEP test ordered. C-spine MRI showed 2 lesions, Brain showed 5 lesions - just got these results yesterday from my primary who I called and demanded the results because my nearologist is on vacation. My primary stated that this is all consistent w/ MS. That is all I know right now because my nearologist is on vacation until tomorrow, so I am hoping he calls me tomorrow with some more insight.

However, after doing some reasearch online. Im really confused because it seems as if my symptoms are consistent with Lyme disease and I was bit by a tick a few years ago and did nothing about it. It also stated online that the symptoms mimic a severe b-12 deficency which I also have always have, and I also have always had a vitamin D defincency. After the MRI on c-spine was done 2 weeks ago, the nearologist did state that he thought it was MS and thats when he went on vaca while I had the VEP/Brain and thoratic spine MRI's completed. My question is how can I rule out any of the 3 that it could be? Does an LP take care of this? Do I get a 2nd opinion? And my last question and the reason why I registered for this is to find out how do I know what neurologist is the best in my area? I live in Boston and Im not sure if there are any reliable websites that anyone knows of so I can choose the best doctor. Thank you all in advance, as scary as this all is - it is comforting to read these posts and am not in this alone. Thank you again.

PS - If anyone has some questions that you think I should ask my neurologist when he (hopefully) calls me tomorrow to review the results, I would appreciate it!

[carbreezy]

Sorry you are going through this. were you able to get the actual Report .. or did you just speak to your primary doc.?
....You are Not alone...I got my MRI results and was told my Lesions/White spots appeared to be a Demylinating disease.!! They did not want to come out and say MS until I complete Other tests to rule out other things.
I go for a spinal tap to check the CSF this week...!! ..I am VERY Scared.

Hang in there...Wait to get the Neuro Doc's Words after he looks at the MRI's.

[Jodi2225]

Originally Posted by carbreezy

Sorry you are going through this. were you able to get the actual Report .. or did you just speak to your primary doc.?
....You are Not alone...I got my MRI results and was told my Lesions/White spots appeared to be a Demylinating disease.!! They did not want to come out and say MS until I complete Other tests to rule out other things.
I go for a spinal tap to check the CSF this week...!! ..I am VERY Scared.

Hang in there...Wait to get the Neuro Doc's Words after he looks at the MRI's.

Thank you Carbreezy - I didnt know I could get a copy of the report and just got the results from my primary so will def call and get it tomorrow. Good luck to you this week!!

[SallyC]

Welcome Jodi, glad you joined us.

[Blessings2You]

Welcome to the community--I hope you'll get some satisfying answers from your neurologist soon!

Don't forget--you can find ANYTHING online (yes, even here)--so try not to get too worked up. I know, easier said than done!

[Jules A]

They should do the MS mimic rule out blood tests for Lyme etc. Although I know they are a possibility it seems to me they rarely pan out and most often if it quacks like a duck it is a duck... or MS as the case may be.

[NurseNancy]

hi jodi,

i don't want to cause you more anxiety but tomorrow is thurs and if your dr is just getting back from vacation you may not hear anything til next wk. or, his office might want to set up an appt in person so he can talk to you and decide what the next step is.

since you're new to this i would start a medical file on yourself. it will be so helpful down the road if you see any new drs. and for yourself. best to have all the documentation yourself in case drs don't keep track of it. i know from experience. you have a legal right to get copies of test reports and copies of cd's for mri's etc. you may have to sign a release or even go down there. call ahead.

if some of your lab levels are low ask about tx (treatment). i was tx'd with vit D and b12 also to correct low levels.

it's hard to know about what neuro is the best. you can call your local MS society and they will send you names of neuros and MS specialists. i always think it's wise if you get a serious dx (diagnosis) to get a 2nd opinion. again, get copies of medical files. they all will want to especially see the mri.

sorry this is so long. keep us posted.

[karilann]

Just a thought.....you may want to consider getting any type of insurance you don' t have now....before you get a diagnosis.
Life Insurance/disability etc get very tough and or expensive after a diagnosis.
Remember Multiple Sclerosis stands for Multiple scars. My diagnosis was made because of multiple lesions, symptoms spread out over time (meaning numb in this place one year then numb in another place another year) etc.

Thats about it for my diagnosis. Everything else was ruled out first (B12 and Lyme's). There are other things that mimic M.S., but they don't give you lesions on the brain or spine. M.S. lesions are typically called "lesions consistent with a demylenating disease" on the report.....sometimes they say "consistant with M.S."
Monday is a holiday. Hold off til Tues afternoon and see your insurance man Tuesday morning (just in case). Personally I bought Life Insurance at a much better rate before my diagnosis. Now the M.S. is not a terminal disease, but it makes getting certain insurances expensive.
Let us know what your Neuro tells you. I'm sure he/she will want to see you in person and not discuss the finding over the phone. Big Hugs and don't panic!

[ANNagain]

Welcome to NT, Jodi. Sorry you are having symptoms. There is a lot of information here and great support.

Best to you,
ANN

[Judy2]

Hi Jodi and welcome to NT! Sorry you're having to go through this, but you've found a good place here with us. Hang in there and remember we're here for you. All the best.......