So,suddenly last month I started having strange neurological symptoms, starting with a sensitive patch on my left arm then numbness and pins and needles in my right arm and hand. I had such exhaustion that I could barely function. I also had lower back pain and electric shock sensations down my spine. I had other strange symptoms that came and went over three weeks like a pressure on my right ribcage and tinnitus. I went to the gp and she found weakness in my right arm and leg. I was referred for MRI. Anyway, after 3 weeks I started to feel much better, I should add I had pins and needles and exhaustion for a month last October. I just had a phone call from the neurologist who said he’d like to examine me but said I have optic neuritis on my MRI but can’t see and other lesions, so it’s not ms. Although he mentioned Evoked potential testing. I’m just feeling a bit confused now as I know optic neuritis is often a sign of ms. Would it be impossible for me to have it on the basis of seeing nothing else? Everything I’ve since read seems to have a link between the two, surely with my symptoms it’s not a coincidence?! The neurologist sounded as though he’d only looked at my scans while on the phone to me and sounded like he was making his mind up as he went along a bit. I’m seeing him in person in 3 weeks now. Has anyone had experience on only having a lesion on the optic nerve? Thanks x
Hi, Optic nerve problems can definitely be a sign of MS.
Thing with MRIs is they dont always show lesions to prove MS. I had 4 and it was the 5th that showed a spinal lesions, proving MS after many other rare neurological conditions were ruled out.
I had a battery of tests last December in a specialist neuro hospital in Liverpool. Took 22 years to get that elusive diagnosis!
Keep a diary of events and go see that neuro. Good luck.
Boudsx
Hi, I started having sight problems september 2019 and was back and forth to the eye hospital, until an MRI and some other eye tests confirmed optic neuritis. I was referred to a neurologist for further tests to decide if I have MS or just CIS. By this time it was February and covid stopped the tests (MRI and possible LP). During lock down i had symptpms of optic neuritis again, but in the other eye. I told the MS nurse and the doctor sent me for an MRI (its been over 4 weeks and I still haven’t got my results) still experiencing sight loss in one eye. From reading about it, most people who have recurrent optic neuritis are highly likely to go on to get a diagnosis of MS, but if it only happens once, it can just be one of those things. Its good that you have an appointment in 3 weeks, I’m not due to see the neurologist until 4th September (although that was booked before my other eye started playing up). Hopefully you’ll get some answers soon, i know these things take time and it is totally frustrating. Finger crossed!
Did you have MRI on brain and spine, or just brain? The reason I ask is that I had lesions on spine only - one high up on cervical spine which accounted for my symptoms around my arm, chest and armpit (which felt constantly wet even tho it wasn’t!)…and one on lower thoracic spine which accounted for my bladder and leg issues.So if your MRI was brain only, then it may be worth asking for another on the spine.