This certainty has gone on long enough, what type of Dr r u seeing? Even better than just a plain Neurologist, is there a Neurologist that specializes in MS? My positive thoughts r with you.

Yeah, this info came from my GP, tomorrow I will make sure he sends me to a Neuro. I mean really, all this information and symptoms. PLUS I'm female, live in Washington State, in my 40's lol ugh

Need to correct myself, didn't show one on my spinal cord, I meant brain stem.

Go to a neuro that specializes in MS as they can best determine if this is what you are suffering from ..or something else.

They have to rule out other diseases ie Lupus, Lymes disease, low methyl-B12 (needed for myelin production).

I went to a MS specialist the first time, they said not enough evidence. I did have blood tests it just showed slightly elevated WBC. I will know more today after my appointment. Sorry guys, I'm just so damn frustrated. (((hugs)))

Oh Bon, I know EXACTLY what you feel like. I was just at the neurologist yesterday going over my MRI and he too said all of my lesions are the same as 2 months ago, therefore stable and likely not MS. I had 3 options. 1. go to a rheumatologist (I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago) 2. go to the MS Clinic 2 hours away or 3. wait 6 months and see what happens. My bloodwork was "normal" except the inflammation markers. He has diagnosed me with unspecific demylinating disease of the Central Nervous System and unspecified polyarthritis.

I have been having numbness in my face and legs for several months. The pins and needles, the feeling of bug crawling on my feet, eye pain (diagnosed with shingles of the trigeminal nerve), feeling like my bra is strangling me and sharp pains in my eye, ribs and leg.

I had a spinal tap nearly 2 years ago and I didn't have any oligoclonal bands. My first neurologist washed his hands of me after that because "well you don't have MS".

I was hospitalized in early December for monitoring of a stroke as my whole left side was numb for several hours. They diagnosed me with complicated migraines. But would not listen to the fact that I have these symptoms often, and without headach.

Sorry this is so long, but boy I am frustrated and you are not alone.

OMG Basketbal, that is crazy, I'm so sorry. I just don't understand any of this. How can my GP say my MRI looked stable, when I have 3 new lesions? I hope we both get real answers soon. ((hugs))

Update: My GP is sending me to a MS specialist. He also wants to test me for Lyme. ugh

Bon ... When I was 1st DX I was being treated by my GP for numbness, etc. It was my GP that sent me for my 1st MRI. When the results came back he knew it was MS. (His office manager also suffered from MS). He told me what his suspicions were, but because he was not a Neurologist he couldn't officially DX me. What he did do though was get me an appointment with a well respected MS Neurologist. It is very important to see an MS certified Neurologist.

Thanks Chrissy

Thanks Chrissy. Thinking that I should take the doc up on his offer to send me to the MS clinic.

Ok, as far as I know they still don't know what causes MS. So of course a cure is far off. From what I understand, it is a waste-basket diagnosis, still. They note neurological symptoms, notice demylinated lesions in the brain and/or spinal cord, and rule out other things like Lymes, the "great imitator." I say fix everything you can. I think in the end all sorts of causes make us have MS, pesticides, gamma rays, lead poisoning, other heavy metals. consider chelation by drip if metals. Look into Bio-Astin. Best of luck. Become your own expert and advocate. Oh, and stable means it hasn't really changed.

Yes Surfula, but this MRI found 4 new lesions, so I don't understand how new ones are described as stable. Maybe I just don't get it.

Bon, I was diagnosed many years ago. Over the years I've seen a variety of neurologists for other opinions. Hopefully my information will be helpful. Initially it started with finding a lesion. I allowed them to test me for every possible disease that can cause the lesions (there are quite a few) and I'm sure there are more since I was diagnosed 10 years ago and things constantly change. You might want to do some research and have those tests done. All were negative. It wasn't until I agreed to have the spinal fluid test that I found out i have the genetic banding. So, here's what I've learned over the years. Unless you are in the exact same MRI in the exact same position and the section slices are exactly the same they cannot use lesion counts as a progression. The genetic banding is not a definitive test, it just shows you have the markers. Unless the MRI shows active flares with dye there is no way of telling if that's what it is. The Mellon center at the Cleveland Clinic only deals with MS. The University of Chicago also has a great neurology department . the available meds are expensive and can be dangerous. I didn't feel like the risk was worth it. Everyone has to decide what's right for them. Autoimmune diseases like to travel in pairs. I have 4. Ulcerative colitis is a common partner to MS. I wish you much luck in getting a diagnosis that can be easily managed.

Thank you Marcie47, that is helpful. This is what drives me nuts, when I was in my flare, I had the MRI, my doctor didn't order one with dye. Now I have to wait one month for the appointment with the MS specialist, by that time I may be done with the flare right? I'm going to start demanding the test I want. I just asked my Doctor to test me for Lyme, he agreed. I do have Fibromyalgia, my thyroid was removed, and I had a complete blood count. The only thing it should was elevated WBC and elevated Neutrophils. Three years ago I gave up, I told myself I will not get another MRI unless I went blind or something crazy, well numbness on the right side of my body sent me in this time, and all my lesions match up with my symptoms. I know the MCDonald criteria says to prove MS you have to have two different areas of lesions at two different times, I think at least 6 months apart, mine was 3 years, and I do have two separate areas, two attacks 3 years apart. I'm scared to death to get the Spinal Tap, I don't know if I could go through with it unless they knock me out lol