Question:
Hi Maureen, I also have had many tests to determine the diagnosis of MS. All have come back negative. I truely believe I have MS. My symtoms are fatigue, dizziness, lack of balance, muscle spasms in my legs nightly, and leg weakness, especially my right leg. The neuroligist that I saw said that it wasn’t MS but gave no explaination as to what was causing my symtoms. I am looking for a definitive answer to my problems and feel that possibly I may never know for sure.(Carol)
Response:
Michael wrote:
Hello Michael: Although your sysmptoms sound as something is not correct, I would seek the advice of a neurologists whose specialty is MS. Many do not take insurance, however, it will save you both time and money in the long run. Good Luck Laura K.* – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In <news:OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, > Maureen said: > > Hi, > > I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble > > with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary > > frequency and urgency (up in the night). > > This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with > > increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny > > days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get > > nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would > > disappear. > > Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which > > seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was > > going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, > > forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like > > that. > > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. > > The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also > > been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, > > and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. > > Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a > > neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to > > turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! > > Thanks, > > Maureen > An EMG won’t (it can’t) tell much – if anything at all – about MS. Its > purpose is to test conduction in peripheral motor nerves during muscle > stimulation. It’s not for testing the spinal cord or the brain (where MS > happens)… though results obtained from an EMG can sometimes highlight > trouble there as well. > See http://teacherweb.com/NY/StBarnabas/Neurology/faq1.stm#q5 > However… it can be useful to rule out other things. > ((U)) > M > (from http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q42ails.html ) > What is an EMG? > LS: An electromyogram, which is performed in order to record the electrical > activity in a person’s muscle. It’s usually done by inserting a needle into > the muscle. The needle picks up all the electrical activity in the > surrounding area, which is then recorded on a chart. In this way, one can > assess whether, at rest, there is electrical silence as there should be, or > whether there is electrical activity going on even at rest, which is > abnormal. We can look for signs that suggest either that the muscle or the > neuron may be the problem. One can also look for unusual waveforms that > might occur in, say, myotonia. One can also measure the conduction velocity, > the speed at which impulses are carried along peripheral nerves, which would > be abnormal in a number of diseases, including CMT. In addition, using other > conduction techniques, one can evaluate the function of the neuromuscular > junction, looking for the possibility o myasthenia gravis.
Response:
>From: "Maureen" BlueEyed…@telus.net ><OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13> >Could this possibly be MS? >Maureen
It’s possible (but do not panic or assume that it is). You must NOT be intimidated by your neuro. If you don’t trust him, you must find another. Revisit your neuro (or a different one) and tell him about the other symptoms. Request that he do a complete blood work up for MS. This involves taking a blood sample and checking for things that aren’t MS that can cause MS like symptoms. After the blood work (if the blood work checks out and shows no other possible causes), inquire about having an MRI done on your brain to look for MS lesions. An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is really THE most effective diagnostic tool in determining if MS is a factor. Good luck. Dave
Response:
"steve.langley" <steve.lang…@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:HFjvb.106$B03.466761@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael’s right, I had a clear EMG. The main purpose of the EMG isn’t to > identify MS, it can’t do that, but to identify something else that may be > acting like MS. It’s part of the process of ruling out other things so > that MS is all that’s left. Until there’s a clear test for MS that’s how > they diagnose it. My EMG was completely clear, and I was told this rules > out muscle causes and peripheral nerve causes, as remember MS only refers to > the central nerves, i.e. brain & spinal cord, if there’s problems with the > nerves outside the CNS this is peripheral and not MS. So in fact if it’s > a clear EMG that actually increases your odds of having MS, if you see where > I’m coming from. Normally an incorrect pattern on the EMG means you don;t > have MS.
Oh, yeah that makes sense now. The only other thing that hasn’t been done is a muscle biopsy for inflammation, so I’m not sure if that should/would be done? > Anyway- was it fun ??? Mine wasn’t too bad, because I had a really kind > doctor lady doing it. Only the "shin muscle" one was painful and she left > it til last, sweetie. I found the NCS test far more
uncomfortable. No, I didn’t think it was bad at all…..I had read it can be very unpleasant, but I didn’t think it was bad. I agree about the NCS test being worse, mind you, needles don’t bother me in the least….I actually watch when they draw blood! > I had to do mine in Central London, and there was a tube delay on the > underground. In the end to get there on time I had to stop a cab, and just > say "to here, fast as you can". The guy was brilliant, he drove through red > lights, and practically drove up the stairs of the hospital, we were right > outside the front door. Gave him a mega tip of course.
Nothing like having more stress before a test <g> yikes! Maureen
Response:
Michael’s right, I had a clear EMG. The main purpose of the EMG isn’t to identify MS, it can’t do that, but to identify something else that may be acting like MS. It’s part of the process of ruling out other things so that MS is all that’s left. Until there’s a clear test for MS that’s how they diagnose it. My EMG was completely clear, and I was told this rules out muscle causes and peripheral nerve causes, as remember MS only refers to the central nerves, i.e. brain & spinal cord, if there’s problems with the nerves outside the CNS this is peripheral and not MS. So in fact if it’s a clear EMG that actually increases your odds of having MS, if you see where I’m coming from. Normally an incorrect pattern on the EMG means you don;t have MS. Anyway- was it fun ??? Mine wasn’t too bad, because I had a really kind doctor lady doing it. Only the "shin muscle" one was painful and she left it til last, sweetie. I found the NCS test far more uncomfortable. I had to do mine in Central London, and there was a tube delay on the underground. In the end to get there on time I had to stop a cab, and just say "to here, fast as you can". The guy was brilliant, he drove through red lights, and practically drove up the stairs of the hospital, we were right outside the front door. Gave him a mega tip of course. Roarke "Maureen" <BlueEyedMoeTRASH S…@telus.net> wrote in message
news:45hvb.109301$jy.30907@clgrps13… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Far as I can tell, Maureen, you’re in or near Surrey, BC. > > There are several neuros in Vancouver who specialize in MS. > > Dr. Virginia Devonshire at the UBC MS Clinic is one I’ve seen > several > > times, and aside from being cute as a button, she’s a smart > cookie and a > > hell of a good doctor. > > Maybe you should call or visit the clinic to get all the info > you can from > > them, and see if you can get your doc to refer you to one of > the the > > clinic’s docs to see if your dx can be clarified as a definite > yes or a no. > > UBC MS CLINIC – MS Clinic UBC Hospital > > G33 2211 Westbrook Mall > > Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 > > Contact: Elaine Price, Clinic Coordinator > > Tel.: 604-822-7131 Fax: 604-822-1766 > > ((U)) > > M > Thanks Michael….I’m in Port Moody. This is definitely a help, > thank you. > Maureen
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Far as I can tell, Maureen, you’re in or near Surrey, BC. > There are several neuros in Vancouver who specialize in MS. > Dr. Virginia Devonshire at the UBC MS Clinic is one I’ve seen several > times, and aside from being cute as a button, she’s a smart cookie and a > hell of a good doctor. > Maybe you should call or visit the clinic to get all the info you can from > them, and see if you can get your doc to refer you to one of the the > clinic’s docs to see if your dx can be clarified as a definite yes or a no. > UBC MS CLINIC – MS Clinic UBC Hospital > G33 2211 Westbrook Mall > Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 > Contact: Elaine Price, Clinic Coordinator > Tel.: 604-822-7131 Fax: 604-822-1766 > ((U)) > M
Thanks Michael….I’m in Port Moody. This is definitely a help, thank you. Maureen
Response:
On Fri, 21 Nov 2003 02:26:39 GMT, in alt.support.mult-sclerosis,"Maureen" <BlueEyedMoeTRASH S…@telus.net> wrote: >Hi Glen,
Am not! >> What I did was, before I even saw a dok about my symptoms, I >went >> to webmd.com and put in all of my symptoms. I got back a whole >> host of links. >I have done Goggle search and put my symptoms in there, and I >have tried to narrow it down from there. There are only a few >that really fit, and some were excluded when I had the EMG and >blood work.
One that I found that had similarities was Gullian Baret (I know — off by a bit, but I’m just like that). But it didn’t *quite fit. I wasn’t about to go testing nerves if the problem was in my CNS. I just don’t go for pain unless it is *really* required. >>I added the new symptoms (be careful not to be a hypocondriac, >when doing >> this) to the search and finally saw that what I had was MS. >Well, I feel like a hypocondriac at times. The problem is that >some of my symptoms have been persistant, and others I’ve only >had once or twice, like choking on food, dizziness, losing my >balance, hand tremor, but what worries me is that the these >things started showing up at the same time.
The "sometimes" symptoms *may* be indicative that your MS is relapsing/remitting, instead of progressive. This type (RR) is by far the most common. That is what I had, about 30 or 40 years ago. Mine became progressive only withing the past 3 or 4 years. >> I am cautious about leaving it totally up to dok$ to determine >> what is wrong or to determine treatment. >I feel the same way. I know I have to be an advocate for my own >health, but at times I’m don’t seem to do a very good job.
Well, few of us has had 8 years of medical skool and 4 years of internship. Our advantage over 99% of the dok$ is that *we* actually have MS and experience it first hand. They had *better* listen to us! >Fortunately, my GP has seen me at my worst, so he seems to not >think I’m a hypo or anything.
Very much a GoodThing to have one of them on your side. My favorite dok (so far) is the first one that I went to. He was "only" a physitian’s assistant and was far easier to talk with than most of the dok$ (most of which seem to ignore what they lay-patients have to say). Should I find the need to see another dok, I’ll definately be finding one with a PA. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>The >> blood tests are fairly inexpensive (especially as opposed to >the >> MRI that they may finally feel that they need to look for the >> lesions that are indicative of MS). Fortunately, they did >> virtually all of the blood tests on me in one sitting (they >took >> 12 viles of blood. I almost felt like asking for a transfusion >> because they took so much. The GoodNuze was that they only had >> to stick me once for all of that blood). Yes, lupus was one of >> the look-alike diseases. >I’ve had lots of blood work. They initially were thinking Lupus >also, but all of my blood work is normal? They have also tested >me for many other diseases….no blood changes. I don’t know how >easy it is to get an MRI in Canada, so I don’t know?
Being in the unfortunate position of not living in Canada, I don’t know for sure, but I *suspect* that if a MRI is warranted, you’ll get one. Think of it as nap time. >Seeing my >GP next week and will try to get him to get me into another >neuro, and hopefully I don’t mess it up next time.
Aw, come on — if you knew it all going in, you wouldn’t need to see them. Relax. >> Nah, we’re all hypocondriacs. MS doesn’t really exist. >Hahaha…..seriously, though, have people actually suggested >this? Is this what you have to deal with?
Not at all … but remember, MS is in the CNS and that means that it *is* all in our head (and spinal cord). >> Seriously, I suggest that you first educate yourself as to what >> MS is (as much as can be known), then do searches on *your* >> symptoms. MS is like Baskin-Robins: it’s different for >> everybody, with a lot of commonalities in some of the symptoms. >I’m really learning alot about it now. I now realize, at least >for my own part, how different it can be, I’d always thought that >it was very specific. Ignorance on my part.
Don’t be even slightly concerned about the initial ignorance. Remember, doctors that are as*holes are inherently and continously as*holes. Ignorance can easily and reasily be cured with information. I, too, thought that MS was a well-understood medical condition. When I first applied for Social Security, I simply said that I had MS, assuming that they would *know* what that meant. Unfortunately not. After two denials I finally got a narrative assessment from my dok and sent that slong to them. I was still denied, but this time because it was too long of a time between diagnosis and filing (it was less than 3 years). Now I have a disability lawyer and we are going to a hudicial hearing about this, around the first of next month. OK, *finally* I figured out how they think about it. — "Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love." — "A General Theory Of Love" Thanks, Mom ______________________________________________________________ Glen Appleby gl…@armory.com <HTTP://www.armory.com/~glena/>
Response:
"Ernie G" <erngu…@bickorytech.net> wrote in message
news:EF8vb.1779$mv2.13673@cletus.bright.net… > List is good for any medical checkup. Because of what I think are cognative > lapses, I’m sure I would forget something if I didn’t write it down. > Ernie
Hi Ernie, Well I did have a list and didn’t give it to him. I recently went to my GP to get a prescription filled and have him check on something else, and forgot that I wanted him to check on. I’m like that all the time now, I will get half way through a sentence and forget what I wanted to say. — Maureen Remove: TRASH SPAM from e-mail
Response:
In <news:Ljevb.107770$jy.35602@clgrps13>, Maureen said: > Hi Laura > Well I’m in Canada so I don’t know if a neurologist specializing > in MS is possible? I think here the problem would be getting a > doctor to okay it, but I’m not sure.
Far as I can tell, Maureen, you’re in or near Surrey, BC. There are several neuros in Vancouver who specialize in MS. Dr. Virginia Devonshire at the UBC MS Clinic is one I’ve seen several times, and aside from being cute as a button, she’s a smart cookie and a hell of a good doctor. Maybe you should call or visit the clinic to get all the info you can from them, and see if you can get your doc to refer you to one of the the clinic’s docs to see if your dx can be clarified as a definite yes or a no. UBC MS CLINIC – MS Clinic UBC Hospital G33 2211 Westbrook Mall Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 Contact: Elaine Price, Clinic Coordinator Tel.: 604-822-7131 Fax: 604-822-1766 ((U)) M – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> e-mail: BlueEyedMoeNO…@telus.net > Remove NOMORESPAM from address > "Laura K.*" <gab…@adelphia.net> wrote in message > news:ZVLub.2299$_i1.1762518@news2.news.adelphia.net… >> Michael wrote: >> Hello Michael: >> Although your sysmptoms sound as something is not correct, I would >> seek the advice of a neurologists whose specialty is MS. Many do >> not take insurance, however, it will save you both time and money in >> the long run. >> Good Luck >> Laura K.* >>> In <news:OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, >>> Maureen said: >>>> Hi, >>>> I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble >>>> with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary >>>> frequency and urgency (up in the night). >>>> This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with >>>> increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny >>>> days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get >>>> nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would >>>> disappear. >>>> Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which >>>> seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was >>>> going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, >>>> forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like >>>> that. >>>> I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so >>>> intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned >>>> the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of >>>> the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. >>>> The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also >>>> been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, >>>> and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. >>>> Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a >>>> neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to >>>> turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! >>>> Thanks, >>>> Maureen >>> An EMG won’t (it can’t) tell much – if anything at all – about MS. >>> Its purpose is to test conduction in peripheral motor nerves during >>> muscle stimulation. It’s not for testing the spinal cord or the >>> brain (where MS happens)… though results obtained from an EMG can >>> sometimes highlight trouble there as well. >>> See http://teacherweb.com/NY/StBarnabas/Neurology/faq1.stm#q5 >>> However… it can be useful to rule out other things. >>> ((U)) >>> M >>> (from http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q42ails.html ) >>> What is an EMG? >>> LS: An electromyogram, which is performed in order to record the >>> electrical activity in a person’s muscle. It’s usually done by >>> inserting a needle into the muscle. The needle picks up all the >>> electrical activity in the surrounding area, which is then recorded >>> on a chart. In this way, one can assess whether, at rest, there is >>> electrical silence as there should be, or whether there is >>> electrical activity going on even at rest, which is abnormal. We >>> can look for signs that suggest either that the muscle or the >>> neuron may be the problem. One can also look for unusual waveforms >>> that might occur in, say, myotonia. One can also measure the >>> conduction velocity, the speed at which impulses are carried along >>> peripheral nerves, which would be abnormal in a number of diseases, >>> including CMT. In addition, using other conduction techniques, one >>> can evaluate the function of the neuromuscular junction, looking >>> for the possibility o myasthenia gravis.
Response:
Hi James, > My $0.02.. MS has many and varied symptoms. See the neurologist
(or another one) again. This time, > take a list of symptoms with you, on paper. Make sure that all
symptom information is on file. I had a list, and thought he would think I’m a hypocondriac, so I didn’t give it to him. Really stupid!! I also thought that the EMG would show something, so it wasn’t necessary. — Maureen Remove: TRASH SPAM from e-mail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> James > http://www.geocities.com/hjbsam/theory.html
Response:
Hi Glen, > What I did was, before I even saw a dok about my symptoms, I went > to webmd.com and put in all of my symptoms. I got back a whole > host of links.
I have done Goggle search and put my symptoms in there, and I have tried to narrow it down from there. There are only a few that really fit, and some were excluded when I had the EMG and blood work. >I added the new symptoms (be careful not to be a hypocondriac, when doing > this) to the search and finally saw that what I had was MS.
Well, I feel like a hypocondriac at times. The problem is that some of my symptoms have been persistant, and others I’ve only had once or twice, like choking on food, dizziness, losing my balance, hand tremor, but what worries me is that the these things started showing up at the same time. > I am cautious about leaving it totally up to dok$ to determine > what is wrong or to determine treatment.
I feel the same way. I know I have to be an advocate for my own health, but at times I’m don’t seem to do a very good job. Fortunately, my GP has seen me at my worst, so he seems to not think I’m a hypo or anything. >The > blood tests are fairly inexpensive (especially as opposed to the > MRI that they may finally feel that they need to look for the > lesions that are indicative of MS). Fortunately, they did > virtually all of the blood tests on me in one sitting (they took > 12 viles of blood. I almost felt like asking for a transfusion > because they took so much. The GoodNuze was that they only had > to stick me once for all of that blood). Yes, lupus was one of > the look-alike diseases.
I’ve had lots of blood work. They initially were thinking Lupus also, but all of my blood work is normal? They have also tested me for many other diseases….no blood changes. I don’t know how easy it is to get an MRI in Canada, so I don’t know? Seeing my GP next week and will try to get him to get me into another neuro, and hopefully I don’t mess it up next time. > Nah, we’re all hypocondriacs. MS doesn’t really exist.
Hahaha…..seriously, though, have people actually suggested this? Is this what you have to deal with? > Seriously, I suggest that you first educate yourself as to what > MS is (as much as can be known), then do searches on *your* > symptoms. MS is like Baskin-Robins: it’s different for > everybody, with a lot of commonalities in some of the symptoms.
I’m really learning alot about it now. I now realize, at least for my own part, how different it can be, I’d always thought that it was very specific. Ignorance on my part. — Maureen Remove: TRASH SPAM from e-mail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love." > — "A General Theory Of Love" Thanks, Mom > ______________________________________________________________ > Glen Appleby gl…@armory.com <HTTP://www.armory.com/~glena/>
Response:
Hi Dave, > It’s possible (but do not panic or assume that it is).
No….I’m trying to be as objective as I can. I also was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (although the diagnosis is now being questioned), so I know many of these illness can have some similiar symptoms. > You must NOT be intimidated by your neuro. If you don’t trust him, you must > find another.
The neuro I saw seemed kind of indifferent. The neuro exam he gave me was very brief, although that could do with the fact that I did not tell him all my symptoms. > Request that he do a complete blood work up for MS. This involves taking a > blood sample and checking for things that aren’t MS that can cause MS like > symptoms. After the blood work (if the blood work checks out and shows no other > possible causes), inquire about having an MRI done on your
brain to look for MS > lesions. An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is really THE most effective > diagnostic tool in determining if MS is a factor.
Well I’ve had more blood work than you can shake a stick! Literally for everything….I don’t know what’s left. I feel like a hypocondriac for pushing the issue, but am scared to let things go. > Good luck.
Thanks for all the good advice. — Maureen Remove: TRASH SPAM from e-mail
Response:
Hi Laura Well I’m in Canada so I don’t know if a neurologist specializing in MS is possible? I think here the problem would be getting a doctor to okay it, but I’m not sure. — Maureen Remove: TRASH SPAM from e-mail e-mail: BlueEyedMoeNO…@telus.net Remove NOMORESPAM from address "Laura K.*" <gab…@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:ZVLub.2299$_i1.1762518@news2.news.adelphia.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Michael wrote: > Hello Michael: > Although your sysmptoms sound as something is not correct, I would seek > the advice of a neurologists whose specialty is MS. Many do not take > insurance, however, it will save you both time and money in the long > run. > Good Luck > Laura K.* > > In <news:OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, > > Maureen said: > > > Hi, > > > I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble > > > with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary > > > frequency and urgency (up in the night). > > > This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with > > > increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny > > > days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get > > > nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would > > > disappear. > > > Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which > > > seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was > > > going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, > > > forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like > > > that. > > > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > > > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > > > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > > > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. > > > The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also > > > been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, > > > and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. > > > Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a > > > neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to > > > turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! > > > Thanks, > > > Maureen > > An EMG won’t (it can’t) tell much – if anything at all – about MS. Its > > purpose is to test conduction in peripheral motor nerves during muscle > > stimulation. It’s not for testing the spinal cord or the brain (where MS > > happens)… though results obtained from an EMG can sometimes highlight > > trouble there as well. > > See http://teacherweb.com/NY/StBarnabas/Neurology/faq1.stm#q5 > > However… it can be useful to rule out other things. > > ((U)) > > M > > (from http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q42ails.html ) > > What is an EMG? > > LS: An electromyogram, which is performed in order to record the electrical > > activity in a person’s muscle. It’s usually done by inserting a needle into > > the muscle. The needle picks up all the electrical activity in the > > surrounding area, which is then recorded on a chart. In this way, one can > > assess whether, at rest, there is electrical silence as there should be, or > > whether there is electrical activity going on even at rest, which is > > abnormal. We can look for signs that suggest either that the muscle or the > > neuron may be the problem. One can also look for unusual waveforms that > > might occur in, say, myotonia. One can also measure the
conduction velocity, > > the speed at which impulses are carried along peripheral nerves, which would > > be abnormal in a number of diseases, including CMT. In
addition, using other – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > conduction techniques, one can evaluate the function of the neuromuscular > > junction, looking for the possibility o myasthenia gravis.
Response:
In article <OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, "Maureen" <BlueEyed…@telus.net> wrote:
{snip} > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. {snip} > Thanks, > Maureen
Hi Maureen, My $0.02.. MS has many and varied symptoms. See the neurologist (or another one) again. This time, take a list of symptoms with you, on paper. Make sure that all symptom information is on file. — James http://www.geocities.com/hjbsam/theory.html
Response:
List is good for any medical checkup. Because of what I think are cognative lapses, I’m sure I would forget something if I didn’t write it down. Ernie "James" <jbridg…@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:jbridges1-D41029.09494919112003@shawnews.gv.shawcable.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article <OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, "Maureen" <BlueEyed…@telus.net> wrote: > {snip} > > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. > {snip} > > Thanks, > > Maureen > Hi Maureen, > My $0.02.. MS has many and varied symptoms. See the neurologist (or
another one) again. This time, > take a list of symptoms with you, on paper. Make sure that all symptom
information is on file. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > James > http://www.geocities.com/hjbsam/theory.html
Response:
On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 03:37:18 GMT, in alt.support.mult-sclerosis,"Maureen" <BlueEyed…@telus.net> wrote: >I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so >intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned >the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of >the car, etc) and the urinary stuff.
What I did was, before I even saw a dok about my symptoms, I went to webmd.com and put in all of my symptoms. I got back a whole host of links. I read through them and excluded the diseases or conditions that I couldn’t possibly have (things that would apply to 125 year old pregnant women, for example) and saw a few more symptoms that I had, but were not important to me. I added the new symptoms (be careful not to be a hypocondriac, when doing this) to the search and finally saw that what I had was MS. I am cautious about leaving it totally up to dok$ to determine what is wrong or to determine treatment. >The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also >been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, >and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal.
Unfortunately, they determine if it is MS by excluding anything else that may look somewhat similar, through blood tests. The blood tests are fairly inexpensive (especially as opposed to the MRI that they may finally feel that they need to look for the lesions that are indicative of MS). Fortunately, they did virtually all of the blood tests on me in one sitting (they took 12 viles of blood. I almost felt like asking for a transfusion because they took so much. The GoodNuze was that they only had to stick me once for all of that blood). Yes, lupus was one of the look-alike diseases. >Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a >neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to >turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source!
Nah, we’re all hypocondriacs. MS doesn’t really exist. Seriously, I suggest that you first educate yourself as to what MS is (as much as can be known), then do searches on *your* symptoms. MS is like Baskin-Robins: it’s different for everybody, with a lot of commonalities in some of the symptoms. — "Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love." — "A General Theory Of Love" Thanks, Mom ______________________________________________________________ Glen Appleby gl…@armory.com <HTTP://www.armory.com/~glena/>
Response:
"Michael" <muirh…@island.net> wrote in message
news:bpeppl02lt6@enews3.newsguy.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In <news:OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, > Maureen said: > > Hi, > > I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble > > with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary > > frequency and urgency (up in the night). > > This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with > > increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny > > days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get > > nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would > > disappear. > > Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which > > seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was > > going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, > > forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like > > that. > > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. > > The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also > > been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, > > and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. > > Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a > > neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to > > turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! > > Thanks, > > Maureen > An EMG won’t (it can’t) tell much – if anything at all – about MS. Its > purpose is to test conduction in peripheral motor nerves during muscle > stimulation. It’s not for testing the spinal cord or the brain (where MS > happens)… though results obtained from an EMG can sometimes highlight > trouble there as well. > See http://teacherweb.com/NY/StBarnabas/Neurology/faq1.stm#q5 > However… it can be useful to rule out other things. > ((U)) > M > (from http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q42ails.html ) > What is an EMG? > LS: An electromyogram, which is performed in order to record the electrical > activity in a person’s muscle. It’s usually done by inserting a needle into > the muscle. The needle picks up all the electrical activity in the > surrounding area, which is then recorded on a chart. In this way, one can > assess whether, at rest, there is electrical silence as there should be, or > whether there is electrical activity going on even at rest, which is > abnormal. We can look for signs that suggest either that the muscle or the > neuron may be the problem. One can also look for unusual waveforms that > might occur in, say, myotonia. One can also measure the
conduction velocity, > the speed at which impulses are carried along peripheral nerves, which would > be abnormal in a number of diseases, including CMT. In
addition, using other > conduction techniques, one can evaluate the function of the neuromuscular > junction, looking for the possibility o myasthenia gravis.
Thanks for the information. Would this be the same for the Nerve Conduction Test? I’ve also had this test. Thanks, Maureen
Response:
In <news:OzBub.92004$jy.70428@clgrps13>, Maureen said: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble > with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary > frequency and urgency (up in the night). > This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with > increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny > days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get > nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would > disappear. > Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which > seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was > going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, > forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like > that. > I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so > intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned > the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of > the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. > The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also > been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, > and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. > Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a > neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to > turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! > Thanks, > Maureen
An EMG won’t (it can’t) tell much – if anything at all – about MS. Its purpose is to test conduction in peripheral motor nerves during muscle stimulation. It’s not for testing the spinal cord or the brain (where MS happens)… though results obtained from an EMG can sometimes highlight trouble there as well. See http://teacherweb.com/NY/StBarnabas/Neurology/faq1.stm#q5 However… it can be useful to rule out other things. ((U)) M (from http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q42ails.html ) What is an EMG? LS: An electromyogram, which is performed in order to record the electrical activity in a person’s muscle. It’s usually done by inserting a needle into the muscle. The needle picks up all the electrical activity in the surrounding area, which is then recorded on a chart. In this way, one can assess whether, at rest, there is electrical silence as there should be, or whether there is electrical activity going on even at rest, which is abnormal. We can look for signs that suggest either that the muscle or the neuron may be the problem. One can also look for unusual waveforms that might occur in, say, myotonia. One can also measure the conduction velocity, the speed at which impulses are carried along peripheral nerves, which would be abnormal in a number of diseases, including CMT. In addition, using other conduction techniques, one can evaluate the function of the neuromuscular junction, looking for the possibility o myasthenia gravis.
Response:
Hi, I’ve been having symptoms of leg weakness (both legs), trouble with gait, sharp pain in joints (sometimes),arm weakness, urinary frequency and urgency (up in the night). This has been going on since April, and seemed to get worse with increased heat and/or exercise (it got bad on the hot, sunny days). When it first started for a couple of months I would get nauseated in the mornings for an hour or so, then it would disappear. Also, I’ve had some memory problems for a couple of years, which seems to have become worse since April. Forgetting what I was going to say half way through a conversation, spelling of words, forgetting what I was going to get at the store, things like that. I went to a neurologist and unfortunately because I was so intimidated I did not give him all my symptoms and only mentioned the arm and leg weakness (trouble climbing stairs, getting out of the car, etc) and the urinary stuff. The neurologist gave me an EMG which was normal, and I’ve also been to a rheumatologist and all the usual blood work for Lupus, and other rheumatoid diseases came back normal. Could this possibly be MS? Should I get a second opinion with a neurologist. Sorry this is so long, but I don’t know where to turn next and thought people who have MS are the best source! Thanks, Maureen
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