Hi all! Need some opinions please on what in the world is wrong with me. In November 2011, I woke up and my right arm was numb and I was unable to grasp anything at all. I went to the doctor and had the steroids and an MRI of the cervical neck, without contrast. Out of work due to being unable to lift anything for approximately 10 weeks. The thing is, I still have what I call flare ups with this arm and now it has moved to my left arm. The pain the numbness the difficulty doing anything with my arms. Been to 3 different neuro's, 2 who said they didn't know what it was but if I was having problems in 6 months come back. Haven't been back to them. The neuro I am seeing now has started me on Neurontin which has helped, although I have had to increase my dose 3 times. I suspected TOS temporarily, but the EMG and NCV studies were totally normal. Had a brain MRI and another cervical MRI, just to rule out MS, which came back normal. After looking through family hx, found that my grandfather had MS and according to death certificate that is what he died of.

Anyway, I have recently been back to the neuro I am seeing now and he has agreed to go ahead and do an MRI of brain again with contrast again, although he says there will be no difference in results. He also said that if I want he will do a spinal tap as well, I agreed to that. New symptoms that have appeared over the last few months are facial numbness that comes and goes. The first time this happened it lasted all weekend. Now it just comes and goes for a day or hours at a time. When the numbness happens, I lose taste on that side of my mmouth and things feel funny to my tongue. My right leg has been weak feeling recently. Low back is killing me, pain up and down my leg on right side, feels weak although I haven't actually had it give out on me. Constantly going to urinate, and if I don't get there quick I will pee on my self. Is there any help out there? Any one have any suggestions as to what I can do? I am on steroids now for the "flare up" so any help would be appreciated.

I've read of people having Sxs of MS without lesions present in brain. Did you have a MRI of your spinal column as well?

They did not do MRI of spine, just the brain and cervical area. No lesions found. I have been looking at all the info out there and I was under the impression that MRI with contrast is the best bet. Not sure if I was reading that right or not.

Tara505,

Hi and welcome to NT/MS Forum.

You asked if this could be MS. I think it could. OTOH, there are many, many things that mimic MS (B12 deficiency, Lyme disease, for instance).

Regarding MRI's, the standard is w and without contrast. While you are still on the table, they come in and give you IV contrast.

I am glad that your symptoms are being treated and hope your symptoms improve. It is good that you are seeing the same neuro so s/he can evaluate your symptoms over time.

Regards,
ANN

I have read about the lyme disease and B12 deficiency. I am going to contact my GP and get these tests done just for the heck of it. Any other suggestions that I should ask for? I thought about a sed rate and ANA but not sure if there is anything else I should be looking for. Thank you for all your answers and opinions.

There are 2 Lyme tests out there. I have read that the western blot test is more reliable than the ELISA test.