Hi all,this is my first post on the forum, I hope you can advise me. I have been having neurological symptoms recently - and probably historically, such as numbness and tingling, falls, weakness, repeated utis and difficulties urinating, tremor in one hand, motor skills problems and others. About a year ago I went to the gp as I began lactating. My gp after hearing symptoms suspected pituitary tumor so I had a cta scan. No tumour but a small aneurysm was found. I had this fixed in august with a procedure called embolisation which is essentially filling the aneurysm with tiny copper coils. The aneurysm was I’m told way too small to cause any of the symptoms I’m having which are now seeming to get worse in the meantime. In 2weeks I’m having an MRA scan as a follow up to check the coils are still in place etc. My bloods have been checked at this point as well and no b12 or vit d deficiency (I’ve had to change gp as my first one is not listening to me, second one did a basic neurological test which showed left sided issues and has re referred me). Sorry for the long winded explanation, I am basically asking if the mra will show if there were any brain abnormalities such as lesions, or would that have to be an mri rather than mra? I’m thinking the mra maybe will only shows veins and arteries in the head? Also, does anyone have experience of the nhs and a doctor looking for certain issues and finding something else outside their remit? In this instance would they refer you to another hospital specialist or would they just tell your gp the results? Sorry so many questions, I’ve been feeling a bit stressed with all this lately and I’m hoping some of you may have the experience to help me. Thanks.
Hi Jens
What you’re asking is a bit beyond the help of most of us on here.
To start with, in general people are referred by their GP to a neurologist. The neurologist would order appropriate tests depending on your symptoms.
Mostly, doctors don’t look for diagnoses depending on symptoms, instead they order tests to find out what you might have (i.e. chicken and egg situation). And the problem with MS much as with any neurological disorder, there are loads of shared symptoms. What you end up being diagnosed with is dependent on your history, your neurological exam and the tests the neurologist orders.
And the fact that you’ve had an aneurysm possibly adds to the difficulties in diagnosis.
So, I’d have to say, that you really need your GP to refer you to a neurologist who can then look at the whole picture.
Best of luck.
Sue
Thank you for your reply Sue.
My GP has referred me to a neurologist but I’m not sure how long the wait will be, GP said probably around 6 months which I don’t think is very long really, I suppose I just hoped the MRA would give similar enough readings as the MRI and save the cost if nothing else.
I think I’m probably getting a bit ahead though and just need to practice some patience!
Been getting so many strange symptoms but unlike many on here they mostly disappear quite quickly but then something else comes along. Feel like I had a lightbulb moment one day whilst researching what on earth is wrong with me after waking up with blackened vision in one eye and seeing ms, then looking into it. Then I realised that could be what the painful episodes of back spasms once or twice a year which doctors could never figure out is due to also. My back muscles would contort my whole torso into a strange curved shape, no meds worked for the pain, thankfully not had this for a couple of years now. Once my hip was so painful I couldn’t move it to walk, doctor said a virus, another time my leg locked and wouldn’t straighten, all this in my 20s! Now I’m 39, tingling, extreme numbness and essential tremor in my hands in mornings, and buzzing feet at night, sharp pins piercing feeling in my eyes, right eye drooped for 3 days then recovered, no explanation. Blurred vision intermittently, optician said eyes look normal. Leg giving way suddenly (3times) no warning and once fell down stairs. Just feeling a bit unsure of myself and what is happening to me, tbh wondering if all psychological sometimes because all comes and goes so fast… I guess time will tell.
Well Sue if you got to the end of my moany reply then I thank you for reading!
I’ve been worrying and it feels quite good to share my woes.
If anyone relates to any of these symptoms it would be good to hear about your similar symptoms as well…
Thanks again x
Hello again Jen
6 months to see the neurologist sounds like the wait from hell. If you can, find out which neurologist your GP has referred you to and try to find out how long the waiting time is. You can try asking the hospital switchboard to put you through to the neurologists secretary and ask him/her, or ask for the appointments team and see what they say. You can always ask if there’s a cancellation.
Apart from that, I’m afraid your symptoms could be seen as fitting an MS diagnosis, or equally easily, may not. All you can do is to see the neurologist and see what they take from your clinical history and test results (once they’ve done them).
If you find that the wait for a neurologist is really that long, and if you can afford it, you could try to see a neurologist privately in the first instance. Many people do this, end up seeing the same neurologist as they’d see under the NHS and ultimately get slotted back into the NHS. If you have a long wait and can afford one private appointment, you’d need to find an MS specialist in your area and ask your GP to refer you to that person. If you do go down this route, it’s a good idea (if possible) to find a neuro who has both a private practice and works on the NHS as well.
I truly hope you don’t have to wait six months.
Sue
Hi again Sue, didn’t know that is something I could do, I’ll certainly have a look into it.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken to help me, thanks again.
Jen x