Any advice please
Hi ive been suffering with numbness pins and needles in both legs and arms, blender incontinence, fatigue, balance problems and weekness, double vision and some other things this has happened gradually over a period of 4 years and was referred to a neurologist who is useless he told me initially it was down to stress and i couldnt accept that as im not stressed and havent really ever been too stressed. I had an mri without contrast of the brain and spine but that was normal so he then changed my diagnosis to functional neurological disorder as on examination i have weekness in my limbs.. I told him is it possible i have ms he laughed and said no but I have periods where i have a few good days where i can function a bit and then other days i cannot move.. Im just so frustrated as its been over 4 years since my symptoms started and i feel myself deteriorating and i just want some proper answers.. Has anyone else been diagnosed with functional neurological disorder only to find out later that it was in fact ms..
Hi @koudez and welcome. I can understand why you've joined us. The symptoms you've had over the last four years could be MS. But, they also could be caused by various other conditions too. A clear MRI is not conclusive either way. A diagnosis of MS is never given lightly and has to follow the Mcdonald Criteria (https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/mcdonald-criteria) . Although, the dismissal of this suggestion seems somewhat unprofessional. How has this been left with the Neurologist, has he discharged you, or do you have a further review date? For the time being, maintain a symptom diary, where you can record anything "strange" that you experience. This will allow you to create a short, concise summary to present to the Neuro at your next meeting. Otherwise, you do need to try and avoid stress, which can make the body have "neurological" symptoms.
Hi thanks for your reply i did have a diary but he didnt seem that bothered, also im never stressed im at a happy place in my life despite being ill i dont think enough was done all i had was the mri and thats it he said i have functional neurological disorder and discharged me with no follow up. My nan and aunt both have ms and they believe i have this also, it took them 8 years to get a diagnosis and again they were initially diagnosed with stress.. Its like they put everything down to stress. My cousin had a brain stem stroke last year and is lucky to be alive he went to the hospital the day before complaining of severe headache and numbness in his face and blue lips he got dismissed and told he had high blood pressure and was suffering with stress. Im thinking to go private as im not happy