Anyone think my MRI Images are MS? MS Specialist says no.

The MS Specialist says this is not MS. Current symptoms are mainly itchy bilateral pain in both legs, which is intermittent. The weirdest symptom is a cold pain in both calves. This is more pronounced in the afternoons. I live in a very hot climate and I am almost to the point that I cannot wear shorts anymore because of this. Another symptom is after I have been on my feet for sometime I get a thumping or pounding with some pain in my left shin. My teeth chatter when I am not cold.

The MS Specialist says I have Small Fiber Neuropathy and not MS. All MRI's of spine are negative. Lumbar Puncture - negative. All bloodwork is normal. My age: 46. I had another MRI 7 months prior to the images below and there was no change. This is one of the reasons the MS Specialist says not MS.

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Hi Gretchen,
I have actually seen 3 neurologist over the past year. The second neurologist, who is not an MS Specialist hinted that my symptoms were most likely from Ms. She was also in another state that I do not live in. After I saw her I felt it best to seek out an MS Specialist in my state.
After I had gone in the Cleveland Clinic's 3T machine ordered by the MS Specialist I was mentally prepared to receive an official MS Diagnosis. When she told me I did not have ms but rather small fiber neuropathy I was baffled. I know about SFN. This diagnosis was a shock especially when no biopsy had been performed to confirm the diagnosis.
I know I don't meet the McDonald criteria, but my continuous symptoms are disheartening.
I have been tested a few times for Lymes. As soon as I received the diagnosis of Sfn I went right to my naturopath who recommended a top infectious disease doctor who is also LLMD. He is doing a bunch of labs to look for confections etc.
I have my follow-up with him on Tuesday. So far I am a conundrum. :(

I was diagnosed with MS back in 2003. Prior to that I had gong to see an optometrist who, after giving me new glasses, referred me to a neurologist.

Later, I found out that optometrists can see MS on our retinas (looks like lightning strikes). Went to a neurologist and the rest is history.

The only thing, other than weakness in my leg muscles, that I deal with is cold feet. My feet are so cold that I sleep with socks on my feet.

I'm not sure what you mean by streaks? I have tiny spots all throughout my subcortical region bilaterally. I have recently received a small fiber neuropathy biopsy which confirmed non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy. The cause of this is unknown, although I strongly feel this is from a virus or bacterial infection. Unfortunately, I am only 47 so life has been a challenge for the past 2 years.

Sue Story,

There is no such thing as "lightening strikes" or "white streaks" going through the brain in the case of Multiple Sclerosis. A MRI is never totally black --- under no circumstance.

Multiple Sclerosis cannot be found on the Retina. An Ophthalmologist can see if the optic nerve has any sign of damage which MIGHT indicate a possibility of MS.

There is no single test, by it's self, that can give a definitive diagnosis of MS.

Oddity, I am sorry you have Small Fiber Neuropathy and I wish you all the best.

Gretchen1 said...
Snoopy,

You are so knowledgeable. Have you considered becoming a moderator? We benefit so much from your experience and wisdom.

That's very kind of you Gretchen. I honestly have not currently given it any thought but I had been a Moderator on another forum quite some years ago.