Good-bye PN, Hello MS
 

I went to neurologist and he gave me an EMG test. He said I did not have neuropathy. Now he suspects MS. He bases this on an MRI of brain and my symptoms. I have a lumbar puncture test coming up.

My main symptom has been pain in abdomen. I take 3,300 mg gabapentin for this. The pain in abdomen feels like a tight band. Also, it feels like pins and needles.

All this has been going on for 4 years. I do not stumble and fall. I walk well. In fact, I am more comfortable moving around than I am sitting.

Anyone ever hear of these kind of symptoms for MS?

I know people who have MS and you would not know it. Others I know are much worse off and some in wheelchairs. It just depends as MS can vary a great deal.

I thought that MS can be diagnosed through MRI, you had your MRI but your doctor still "suspects" to be MS? Is the reason for your lumbar puncture to confirm presence or absence of MS?

One of our past PN posters just received an MS diagnosis.
She had been posting here quite a bit.

Here is her profile...you might want to contact her:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/member.php?u=20668

I do hope MS is not your problem, although it can be a relief to
finally get ANY diagnosis with PN symptoms. :hug:

Diagnosing MS
 

Januarybabe, I sent you a PM that I hope answers some of your questions. I did want to address the issue of diagnosis here because there seems to be a question about that: an MRI usually is not conclusive evidence. You are doing the right thing by getting the lumbar puncture. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[QUOTE=JoanB;1057017]Januarybabe, I sent you a PM that I hope answers some of your questions. I did want to address the issue of diagnosis here because there seems to be a question about that: an MRI usually is not conclusive evidence. You are doing the right thing by getting the lumbar puncture. Good luck and let us know how

Thank you for PM. I have been searching for years for some kind of Dx. I hope all goes well with spinal tap. I previously had steroid injections in back. The ladies at neurological MD said this would be similar.b

[QUOTE=januarybabe;1057035]Hi,
I've had one done. It's not to bad. Actually, I think my fears were worse than the test. Hope all goes well and you get your answers.

[QUOTE=hopeful;1057048]I hope I hear quick results. My next appt with neurological MD is middle of April. I don't know if they would have me wait until then.

Also, I thought I was too old for MS. Noticeable symptoms started when I was 62 and now I am 66.

There is late onset MS. So it is possible.

I did have spinal tap on Tuesday, March 18. I had a really bad headache and even today I feel somewhat sick.

How long does it take for doctor to get results? I am on pins and needles for results. Would it be out of turn to ask? My appointment is April 14.

Doctor kept asking if steroid shots in back helped my pain. I basically said no as there was minimal help. Does this rule out MS?