I came back from Iraq in the fall of 2007 with numbness and tingling on my left side and left leg. I was seen by a neurologist, given a CT scan, a MRI, and a lumbar puncture. I was found to have a herniated disc in my lower back, degenerative disc disease, 3 lessions in the brain white matter, 2 O-bands in my spinal fluid, and 1 lession in my upper spinal cord.

I was diagnosed with MS and put on meds (Copaxone).

Since then, I have had annual brain MRIs and 1 more spinal MRI. There have been no changes to the brain MRIs and the spinal MRI shows the lession to be gone. I have had no clinical MS flareups either.

I faithfully take my medicine, exercise, and eat pretty healthy. I still get tingling and pain in my left leg especially when sitting for long periods of time at my desk, wearing tight pants, or when I lay on my left side. Theese symptons go away fairly quickly when the condition changes.

Where should I go from here? Should I continue to believe I have MS or is there anthoer issue within my hip area that is causing the issues. My neurologist and other doctors quickly state that it is MS even before doing any sort of test to find out. I believe my arm could fall off and they would say it is MS.

Unfortunately with MS changing the cause of discomfort (sitting or laying position, looser clothes) will not improve the symptoms (tingling, pain). I do wish it was that easy Although, getting up amd moving around can sometimes help with pain and stiffness.

You don't say if you deal with any other symptoms except those in your legs. Herniated discs, when impringing on nerves, can cause leg weakness, numbness, tingling and pain.

Brain lesions can have many different causes. Spinal cord lesions can lean more towards MS but there are other causes for spinal cord lesions.

O-Bands in spinal fluid: Each lab is different. Some consider 2 or less bands normal, some consider 2 or more bands abnormal. Confused yet?

I don't have any answers for you...sorry Maybe getting a second opinion might help.

Welcome to NeuroTalk...

Welcome to NeuroTalk! I have to agree with Snoopy.....a second opinion would be helpful. If you can find a Neurologist that specializes in MS that would probably be good, too.

MS is hard to diagnose and most of us have to wait a long while before a positive dx is given. Good luck and keep coming here. There are lots of great folks who can give you wonderful advice and support.

Hi CW, welcome to our little world, nice to meet you. Sorry for your symptoms and diagnosis. Yes, it sounds like you are in need of an independant 2nd or 3rd opinion.

Let us know what you find out and, in the meantime, take a deep breath and join us for awhile.

Do your family and friends understand and are there for you? We do understand all that you are experiencing with MS, so don't hesitate to ask or to just vent.

Welcome to NT...

I agree with postings above...
degenerative disc disease can mimic MS symptoms...and lesions can also be caused by migraines, Lyme, and Epstein-Barr.

It took 3 neuros before I was diagnosed...try to be patient, keep a symptom journal of dates of onset/dissipation, environment (too hot?cold?), and a list of questions for your neuro. Don't be afraid to seek another opinion.

Patience where MS is involved...it takes time and evidence.
Keep us up to date on what's going on...

M.S. is a time consuming disease to determine, but the criteria for the diagnosis is pretty straight forward. Try to find an M.S. specialist if you can. You need to feel comfortable with the diagnosis. Make sure they check your vitamin B12 level too.

And with that said....

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

I am glad you found Neuro talk. I want to welcome you to a very informative and compassionate site. Hopefully you will make some new friends along the way. There is a MS Forum, and spinal forums. At the top of the page you can type in where it says "search" and that will lead you to dicussion groups. You can also talk to any of us, on all the sites. This is a really laid back group, and I am sure others will offer you some suggestions.
I would be uncomfortable also, with just one opinion. MS is hard to diagnosis, and having been told you have it, then not, would be upsetting. Also Back injuries can give you the weakness and pain in you leg. It may be good to go in for another opinion. Please try to keep a journal of your symptoms. If you choose to go back for another opinion, it will be that much more that the doctor will have to try to diagnos you. Welcome again, I'll be here if you need to talk too. ginnie

Thanks to all for your responses. I will start searching for a MS specialist in the Virginia Beach area.

For Snoopy - No I do not have any other symptons other than what I put in my post.

dear CWO,

i was dx'd with MS by mri and i too had 2 O-bands.
my left leg is my weakness. my disease has remained fairly stable and i'm on Copaxone also; 9 yrs.

i've never had a relapse. weird but true. after a while my drs stopped ordering annual mri's since there was no change. i also have disc disease. i wonder if an EMG of your legs would help with a differential dx. that tests nerve and muscle conduction and the dr can differentiate whether it's MS or something else.

a also concur that a 2nd opinion is always a good idea. do you have a good PCP? they can be very helpful in coordinating care and specialists based on problems and complaints.

please let us know how you're doing. you're doing the right thing by advocating for yourself and trying to find answers. welcome to NT.

I am on my second neurologist who does not want to say ms, but the tests show lesions on the brain, vit D and B12 deficiency and my face is numb and tingly like little shocks, I have fatique and am stiff and in pain, my memory is shot, I am turning 60 next week, I still work, thank God my job is not hard and is only part time. I have like body jerks in my hands and legs at times, they ruled out everything under the sun. Now they just took a blood test Sat and said it is to diagnos ms? Well, we will see I am giving up hope of a diagnosis although my pc states it is. My neuro does not want to do the lumbar puncture even though the insurance ok'd it? Life goes on lol