First off, excuse my norwegian english

Short version of my story;

Everything started with cramps or spasm around my torso. Extremly painfull, lasted on and off for a good week. Relieved by Buscopan. No explanation.

Few months later, numbness and tingling in my left foot. Didn't really think much of it, blamed it on snowboots. Lasted about a week. Still get tingling.

Then I had loss of vision on one eye. Dx possible optic neuritis. My doc got suspicious, and did an exam of reflexes, etc. Loss of reflex in left ankle and reduced strenght. Also positive l'hermitters sign.

Have been struggeling with fatigue for a year now.


I have done a mri, still waiting for results. Have a spinal tap and neuo appoinment in a week.

My question for you; Does it sound like MS? Is there any other possible causes? I don't wanna give up hope just yet, but my doctor seems to have given me an ms diagnosis allready. If it's MS, I'll deal with it, but I'm crossing my finger for something cureable.

Best regards

Hello elizabeth123 and welcome to NeuroTalk

The answer to both would be, Yes.

Part of the diagnostic process for MS is to rule out possible other causes for symptoms. There are no symptoms which are unique to MS.

I would suggest if you have L'Hermittes sign to ask for a MRI of the Cervical spine. This symptom can be caused by other things but when related to MS it is caused by an abnormalty (lesion) on the cervical spine.

Best wishes...

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.

Hi, and welcome to the neurotalk forums. It does sound like MS to me, but I am not a medical professional of any kind. Best of luck moving forward, there are many people here who are great at listening and offering advice, or just a shoulder to lean on...

Thank you!

I think thats exactly what I'm looking for. Someone to talk to. The whole thing is freaking me out. I'm 24, my husband is in the army, I have two kids to look after, and I'm studying medicine. I just don't wanna face the fact that it might be something thats not cureable.

How do you all cope with your ms?

Reduce stress, to the best of my ability. Try not to overheat.

After over a decade with this knowledge, I try not to think about it, too much. Except when I have a flare up, of ON.

Hope you find some answers for whatever is going on with your health.

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.