Thank you for your respond

So far we've ruled out vitamin defiency, diabetes and psyciatric disorder
What other disorders can mimic ms

Can you rule out ms as a cause for the l'hermitters sign if you can't find a lesion on the spinal cord? Or can you have a lesion, but not be able to see it?

I'm sorry for all my questions, but this really took me by suprise. My father passed away do to complications caused by ms.

No

Yes, that is possible.

I didn't know you were 24 <sigh> I was 24 when diagnosed.

One of my presenting symptoms at the time was L'Hermittes, which I still have. After I was diagnosed with MS my neuro told me when someone young, like myself, has L'Hermittes the first thing suspected is MS

I am very sorry, Elizabeth

Thank you for answering my questions, and for being so nice It's good to know that there are people out there who can relate. Guess I'll just have to wait until monday. Does anyone know how soon you get results after a spinal puncture?

May I ask how old you are, Snoopy? I don't mean to be rude

You are not being rude

I am 52 years old

Welcome Elizabeth 123...lots of info, support, laughs and whine parties here (sp intentional)...

Lumbar punctures are a way to diagnose MS, but it doesn't always definitively diagnose it. Mine turned out negative, but I did get diagnosed a year later.

When you have your lumbar puncture, this is very important----make sure you lie down the whole day except for bathroom breaks and meals. And drink lots of caffeinated drinks (I drank Monster drinks). Otherwise you will experience symptoms from the devil's lair...a professional basketball player from my home town (Chicago) had one, and was walking around the locker room afterwards. He ended up in the hospital several times with complications from the puncture.

It is a matter of crossing off other diseases as well as trying to confirm MS that is the confounding part of this disease. Keep a symptom journal with dates of onset of symptoms and dissipation. Also keep a list of questions for your doctor to bring with you. And if you can, bring someone with you...a second set of ears is helpful to remember the information discussed.

Most importantly, LIVE YOUR LIFE...do NOT let this disease take over. Every day is precious, though unpredictable at times. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, so make the best of today, no matter how crummy you feel. If you can't find energy to do things, lie down and read, do puzzles, watch a funny movie. Make the most of it...MS has brought me some pretty crummy days, but it has shown me the support and love from friends and loved ones as well, and I try to make the most of life (well...most of the time)

Keep us up to date...know that you're not alone.

Welcome to NT! There are many disease and conditions, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies, that can mimic MS. It's a process of ruling out all other possibilities and a collection of symptoms, clinical findings, and tests.

Lhermitte's sign (BTW - there is no hyphen between the L and h in Lhermitte's) is common in MS as well as other neurologically based diseases/conditions. It can also happen with vitamin B12 deficiency.

I am glad your doctor is being proactive and helping you find a cause for your symptoms. The MRI results and LP will help in the diagnosing process. I was dx based on clinical symptoms as well as MRI. I have not had an LP done. Each MS case presents differently, yet there are common signs and symptoms we share.

Hang in there and check in and let us know how you are doing and the results.

Hi Elizabeth

You have had some fantastic support so far. I am sorry that you are facing this at your age, and with two young kids and a career ahead of you. Know that this (if it IS MS) is the beginning of a long journey - not an end of anything or everything. There are ups and downs, good times and bad - but life is like that anyway.

I am nearly 44 and was dx'd 13 years ago. I still walk, work, and live my life in a (slightly modified) but pretty much normal way. My kids were 7 and 4 when I was diagnosed and now one is at University and the other will be finished high school and off to University at the end of next year.

There are other things that may be causing your symptoms, as others have said, MS diagnosis is a process of elimination. This is a very scary time for you, but there is so much support and care around now, especially here. Whatever happens from here, welcome to Neurotalk, please stay in touch and let us all know how you get on with your tests.