Symptoms of MS

Gretchen1

You seem to know alot about MS. I am looking for some answers .  I am having many symptoms  I don't usually talk on the forum but I have read the Lyme and MS forum

for hours and hours. I began having symptoms 5-6 years ago. I was walking on a hot sunny day and suddenly became sick with flu symptoms. Chills,nausea,light headed etc

It lasted 2 weeks a few weeks later I developed a rash on my thigh it later developed into hives.  I then begin having hot spots on my legs. I went to Dr was tested for Lupus,

MRI for MS, RA everything was neg. Since then I have had other symptoms. Mouth

sores, sore throats that just last hours,  and severe headaches at the back of my head

with dizziness and nausea. If I put ice on the back of my neck the headache goes away.

If I go out in the cold air the headache dizziness and nausea goes away. Heat does not

bring on symptoms . I don't have all symptoms at once. Headaches/dizziness/ nausea

this time next painful feet and leg cramps next. With no lasting side affects when symptoms

leave all is back to normal. Forgot fatique is a big one.

Thanks for your input

 

Bri,
My suggestion is to re-visit the Lyme disease possibility again. The sore throat and the rash make it sound like Lyme. Sore throats, mouth sores, hives and rashes are definitely not associated with MS. Those are indications of an infection.

Both MS and Lyme are quite serious diseases that carry the chance of a severe loss of quality of life. Both are also difficult to diagnose. With Lyme, the pathogen causing Lyme frequently lives in the blood stream for a very short time. The disease the moves into other body system cells an then becomes virtually undetectable via blood tests. That is why Lyme is a clinical diagnosis; based on symptoms and response to treatment.

MS is also a clinical diagnosis although doctors look for brain and spinal lesions, certain reflex and nervous system responses, evoked potentials, and lumbar puncture results. One of the biggest indicators to a correct diagnosis is whether or not you respond to treatment. MS treatment often requires extremely high doses of IV steroids. (1,250 mgs/daily for 3-5 days). Someone with Lyme disease would experience a marked increase in disease activity.

Relapsing remitting MS seems to cycle much slower or less frequently than Lyme. Lyme often cycles ever few weeks as the body attempts to do battle with those buggers. MS is typically much less frequent. Some MSers flare 2 or 3 times a year. I flare (typically) once every two or three years.

I hope this information helps. Do post on the Lyme board. They are extremely supportive and helpful, although some members are adamant that MS doesn't exist at all. I don't exhibit any of the infection type of symptoms......no sore throats, joint pain etc. I always respond favorably and long term to that lovely IV solumedrol. Please ask questions here or on any of the other boards such as Lyme and lupus. Best of luck to you.