Trying to get diagnosis
I have seen every specialist and had every blood test. Most doctors see that there isn't a clear answer so attribute it to psychological factors. It's very discouraging that they think my symptoms aren't credible. It isn't normal for a 50 year old to have so much trouble walking, have internal tremors, weakness, pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue to the point where I cannot do my job. Nobody looks past the normal blood tests and tells me I am either depressed or have anxiety. This is not how I'd choose to live my life but I cannot get help or a diagnosis. So they are just giving me Lyrica, Cymbalta, Provigil and sending me on my way. Many symptoms subsided over 2 1/2 months but I am left with the fatigue and pain. I don't know where to turn and am afraid of this returning.
, first, I am so sorry you are dealing with these symptoms and still don't have a firm diagnosis. That just plain stinks.
Secondly, you are right -- the symptoms you are experiencing are not typical for a healthy, 50 year-old-woman. You mentioned blood tests, but have you had any other tests done, like and MRI or lumbar puncture? Have any medical professionals offered any other possible diagnoses, aside from possible mental health issues? And please know, mental health issues are very real and deserve proper treatment and if you do have those, they should be properly addressed. However, mental health concerns may not fully explain all the symptoms you are experiencing.
The medications prescribed to you are all medications used to treat or manage various MS symptoms, so I would be interested to know what your official diagnosis is, since these medications were prescribed and seemed to help you.
I am glad that many of your symptoms have subsided. That is great news! However, living with chronic pain and fatigue is incredibly challenging! I don't blame you for feeling fearful of those other symptoms returning.
Gentle Hugs, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.Thank you Erin. The rheumatologist said let's call it fibromyalgia because " that's what we call it when we don't know where the pain is coming from". My neurologist also put fibromyalgia " for now". Yet the other neurologist I saw said I do not represent with fibromyalgia but is sorry she can't help me more.
I did have MRIs which did not show lesions but the second opinion I got back on the brain MRI said "3 punctuate foci of signal abnormality" and later said these could be nothing or it could "less likely be early or moderate demyelinating lesions". I guess the neurologists are going with "nothing".
So now I am just in physical therapy for lower back pain from a pinched nerve. The pain management doctor said I do have degenerative issues with my back and neck but would not account for all my symptoms. So I guess I just try to get better and try to get back to work once I can manage the fatigue.
I feel that once I put on my medical form I have had anxiety in the past I have been labeled and they feel they don't have to look any further.
Hi
. Unfortunately, for many people with MS, the initial symptoms are blamed on psychological problems. I am glad the treatment helped resolve most of your issues. It is always possible that you have MS, but that the lesions are too small to see on an MRI at this point. There are several other conditions that mimic the symptoms of MS and should also be ruled out. Here is an article that lists them: https://multiplesclerosis.net/diagnosis/ruling-out-other-health-conditions. You have a couple of options right now. You can continue with your current treatment for fibromyalgia and wait to see whether your symptoms worsen someday, warranting a new MRI. Another option is to see an MS specialist, who might use a better MRI or a lumbar puncture to diagnose or rule out MS. The National MS Society has a tool for finding one in your area. Here is a link: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Find-Doctors-Resources. I hope this helps and that you get answers that give you confidence. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
Thank you Lori. I will look into some of those conditions that I do not recognize. Most of them have been ruled out. It's nice to know that I am not alone in this process. And thank you for the direction. Very helpful.
