[QUOTE=Lady;442679]Hi Amy,
Welcome.
I have had tremor as my very, very first symptom. It was visible to the doctors, but it still took me three years to find out why I had it. I had it in a few places. Each doctor would call it something else. We didn't have MRI's back then, so it was a ruling in/out process of other diseases and tests. Then I had other symptoms, went into hospital and was told I had MS.

This link might help you. Good luck
Lady


Lady,

Thank you for the link, it gave me some great information. I did actually get a confirmation from my Neurologist on January 21st that MS is most likely my diagnosis. My spinal tap revealed antibodies - positive for both lupus and sjogrens among some other information. The Neurologist also told me that since 2006 that I have at least two dozen more lesions on my brain, with some in the cerebellum and brain stem. He originally said that I had "several" more lesions since 2006.....I had nine at that time, and I don't feel that finding "at least two dozen more" constitutes using the word "several" but what can I say. I am trying to digest this information, yet have not quite been able to that yet. My next step is to see a rheumatologist and then from there I will be seeing a different Neurologist for a second opinion. I would like to get working on a treatment plan ASAP with the hopes of minimizing the addition of more lesions.

I do not know if the number of lesions that I have is alot or if it is normal? How do I know? Should I worry about having so many new lesions in just two years, or is this something that I should expect?

Amy, I would get copies of all your MRI's, your LP report, including all other reports, tests and blood work you have had in the past few years.

I would bring them to both a Rheumatologist and a MS Specialist, perhaps both specialties in a large well known teaching hospital in your area.

I, too, have positive antibodies for Lupus and a few Lupus symptoms, but I did not meet the criteria for Lupus. My ANA count is 1:640. It may go down to 1:320 which is only one test different from the other higher number. Normal is 1:40 Next is 1:80 low positive. It doubles with each test they do on it. It only sounds high.

My MS Specialist said many people with MS have a positive ANA. As for Sjogren's that too must have more tests done to confirm it by a Rheumatologist.

As for spots on the brain, you can have many and not have any disability at all or any bad symptoms. Then you may have only one or two spots and have disability. It is all location, location, location.. in the brain.

Also it is the size of the lesions, and if they are active (bright spots) or have turned to scars or dark holes. Some heal and remyelinate.

Amy see these doctors for second opinions and find out for sure what you dx is. You could have more than one. Multiple Autoimmune dx's are not uncommon. I have a few myself. Lupus they always try to throw into my mix, but so far I don't have it.

There are lots of blood tests you need to get. Good Luck on your road Amy.

Thank you again Lady!

I appreciate the information regarding the number of lesions! I really didn't know the the number of lesions doesn't necessarily mean that things are bad. It has really calmed my nerves down! I checked my ANA and it is 1:640, but will find out much more once I get into see the Rheumatologist in 1 1/2 weeks. I have requested a referral to a specialist in MS and I am just waiting to hear when my appointment is scheduled for. Thank you again for all of your information, you have helped me more than you can imagine!

Have you visited with the MS specialist yet? Anything new to report?

Twinkletoes,

Thank you for asking about my appointment. I have actually been having one of those days that I have been crying at the strangest things.....so I want you to know how much I appreciate that you took the time to ask.

I saw the specialist on Monday the 16th. We reviewed all of my labs and MRI's and he did some testing of my balance, eyes, etc. (I would never pass a DUI test sober at this point!)He then told me that he believes that I may have primary progressive MS. He would like to do another MRI of the brain, as well as the thorasic, lumbar and cervical to compare to my MRI in December and the spine from 2006. He wants to have it done with the contrast to see if the lesions are active. Now I am not real clear what this all means. I have read some but almost feel that this is somehow really not happening and that I am having a nightmare or something. I just don't want to breakdown in front of my daughter....she means the world to me and I just wish I could be stronger for her, but I am feeling so confused, mad and scared.

This is the first time I've visited this thread and find it really interesting. On a different note -- after my third experience with atrial fibrillation, and some research, I find that it can be related to the MS (thanks Cherie). If that's the case, where would the lesion be located to cause problems with the autonomic nervous system? Most of my other lesions are on the spine, hence not being able to walk. Guess there was too much damage for the nerves to "re-route" themselves. I haven't had an MRI in years since my neuro thinks it's a waste of time and money since I "still have MS". What do you all think? I'd really like to compare the results with my previous MRI to see what difference the LDN has made.

Here's some info, Judy:

"The autonomic nervous system is controlled principally by parts of the brain stem and the hypothalamus"

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclo...us_system.html

Cherie

Spinal Column - I don't know what the article is stating for each vertabrate but it doesn't look right to me.

My spinal cord's cut 99% at C7 (now degenerated to C6.5) and if the chart was correct, i'd be dead? Broke C7 in 1989 motorcycle accident.

Before MS, I had full hand motor & sensory, numbness started slightly above nipple line (couldnt feel a thing below nipple line) and bottoms of forearms were numb.

In reference to MS, you are right -- the information is not correct.

MS lesions are located on the spinal cord not the vertabrate.

This is a very old thread.

It was a "sticky" at one time but I asked for it to be "unstuck" a long time ago due to incorrect information for MS.

I recently had major complications from a simple vaginal hysterectomy which produced massive ball of infection, 7 day stay in hospital, pleurisy, drain in back side for 2 weeks to drain the infection and then 4th day home I came down with TOTAL vertigo...could hardly walk the first few days....I have had mild vertigo as an MS relapses 2 times before...but because I still had active infection in my body my Neurologist and the other docs said NO steroid infusion until infection was under control/gone. This took another 30 days. The entire 30 days the vertigo calmed down bit by bit, but did not go away. It has now been 2 1/2 months of mild vertigo and they finally did an MRI and found a new hypersensitive (spelling?) lesion in the posterior splenium corpus callosum. But when researching this, it says it effects cognitive, et al and I cannot necesarily find vertigo symtoms from lesions in this area and am wondering how vertigo might be associated with cognitive and I am wondering if this lesion is causing my continued vertigo. Any answers???

Thanks so very much!
Verniechaos