Many people with symptoms of pain, weakness, numbness, tingling may not have lesions in MRI scans of the brain or they only have 1-2 which is indicative of possible MS diagnosis (dx) but a doc can't make an official diagnosis with this alone. So many are in limbo land not know if they have MS or something else. This post is dedicated to those individuals.

Here is a little information about MS and Lupus(SLE). Lupus involves multiple organ systems including your skin. So if you have Lupus and are in the SUN the chemical reaction that occurs can give you a rash. Usually a "classic" butterfly rash on nose and cheeks. Being in the sun makes your disease PROGRESS FASTER. So if you end up having Lupus STAY OUT OF THE SUN!
Lupus uses an ANA blood test.

If you have MS then it is HEAT, not necessarily the sun, that makes SYMPTOMS worsen, not the disease. So after coming out of the heat (1 hour to a day or so later) you should be back to what your normal is before going into the heat. Thus when someone is in the house with you and you have a shower bench to sit on...how do you do after being in a hot shower? If symptoms worsen put on the cold shower and stay in a while. If they get better then TELL YOUR DOCTOR about this. It is more a classic sign of MS. It is not a diagnostic test done today but this is how they used to do it and is indicative of MS.

Vision problems are also very indicative of MS. If they come with bad headaches could be MS or Pituitary tumor.

One of the best tests to determine if it is MS is a MRI with AND without contrast for both the brain and C-Spine. New research is showing a that a much cheaper, less invasive test (no dyes or shots) done in 5 minutes of the Retina Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) via an OCT scan may be another viable way to help dx MS in the future.

Other possibilities are Lyme's disease, Methyl-B12 vitamin deficiency. Doctors sometimes just have you take sublingual methyl-B12 for a few months to see if it helps symptoms. Plus good doctors check for heavy metal toxins overdose, brain tumor, GuillainBarr syndrome of PNS, etc

It would probably be best if you kept a diary with DATES of what symptoms you are having at what time of day. This is good for neuro and for getting disability if you need it down the road.

Best wishes to you,
EP

EP, you pretty much stated everything my Neurologist did on Tuesday. I am awaiting my 3rd MRI in 2 months. I have had small lesions for a few years (original MRI when symptoms started).

Lilac, I too have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I also have diagnosis of IBS, DDD, Trigeminal neuralgia, chronic fatigue, etc. The new doc believes that it is MS. I guess we will find out on Feb. 2, when I see him again.

Good luck.

I'm in the same boat. Diagnosed with Fibro. My first symptoms started almost 4 years ago, MRI showed 4 lesions, but didn't light up on contrast. No diagnosis of MS, now having new symptoms, icy hot feeling on the right side of my body, stabbing sharp pains on the side of my head and front of the right side of my neck, lots of muscle jerks ect.. Doctor is sending me to another Neuro and for another MRI, hope this times it shows something so I can get a proper diagnosis. My heart has always said MS. Tired of waiting. Hang in there. (hugs)

Hello, sounds like many of us have been down this long road. Wishing you the very best. As you are currently experiencing symptoms; has your MD mentioned a spinal tap for oligoclonal bands? These proteins indicate ongoing inflammation - pointing to MS. Invasive & not an early tool, but my 'questionable' MRIs coupled with 13 bands aided in MS diagnosis. Keep us posted.

My spinal tap didn't show bands, but my 3rd neurologist pointed out that there are still people with MS who don't have them, but it does make it easier to diagnose. The first 2 just washed their hands of me telling me everything was depression.

All I can say is we must be our own advocate.