I am a 41 year old female...a over a year ago I started with some "typical" ms symptoms....visual problems, major brain fog, speech problems (using wrong words and stuttering), SO much pain in my low back, legs and the bottom of feet (I have been a long distance runner for 20 years and could not run 1.5 miles last summer because of the pain), tingling in legs, arms and up back of head, right eye pain and involuntary muscle jerks. My neurologist ordered a brain mri, low spine mri (to rule out disk problems because of low back and leg pain), visual evoked response, eeg (??) and full metabolic panel...everything was normal other than the brain mri showed numerous small lesions that he said are more suspect to a migrane history along with one larger lesion. I told him I have never had a migraine. He said I didn't have ms and there was nothing more he could do (along with being a complete jerk). So I went to another neuorologist who took me more seriously...she used the "wait and see" method. My symptoms lasted for about 5 months and then early Nov. everything disappeared EXCEPT for the eye pain and muscle jerks (which have gotten MUCH worse). Now, in the last month the symptoms are coming back again in full force. My doc scheduled another mri that came back "stable". The doctor is thinking that I have a history of migraines that I never knew about???....She is trying to explain the eye pain and the jerking is a reusult of that stress??? Can I have lesions on my spinethat we don't know about? Can ms flair start without new lesions? How do you explain the other symptoms too?? I am at my wits end and want answers...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hello, KRK:
I'd like to preface my response by saying that I am not a medical professional and that my comments are strictly from the perspective of an MS/Migraine patient.
It is difficult for me to believe that one could have a history of migraines and not know it. Migraines come with a very high level of pain. However, it is possible to have ocular migraines without pain, but they come with visual disturbances.
Many of your symptoms are suggestive of MS. I also was initially told by a doctor that the sprinkling of white spots (lesions) on my brain scan were due to migraines, not MS. Apparently it's a difficult distinction.
Keep in mind that reaching a diagnosis of MS often takes a long time -- many tests must be repeated and many other causes of your symptoms will have to be ruled out. Until they come up with a single definitive test for MS, diagnosis will remain complicated.
I do have a couple of suggestions. You might want to search for a neurologist in your area who specializes in MS. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society may be able to help you find one.
I also suggest that you start a journal if you haven't already done so. Keep a daily log of every symptom, no matter how minor. Keep a file with all previous test results as well.
And don't be shy about calling the doctor -- it's important that you are seen while symptoms are present, if at all possible. If you don't have MS, you still need to get to the bottom of these symptoms.
Please don't give up -- you must be your own patient advocate.
Thanks for the response. While I know you are not a medical professional I value your view point from the patient perspective. I do have 2 more questions. In your experience with ms, can a couple symptoms remain during a remission period like my eye pain and muscle jerks? I can't find any info on this. In the last few weeks several of my other original symptoms are returning. Also, have you ever had a ms "hug"? If so, do you know what brings them on....I also get a really weird intense cramp in my upper abs that last a few minutes at a time....but have no idea if this could be related or I am just exhausted and crazy! While I am not trying to self diagnose myself with ms in any way, I just want to figure out what is going on with me and trying to explore all avenues. Both neurologists I have been to are very difficult to communicate with....I will do research on another....thanks!
Even in patients with relapsing/remitting MS -- where there are clearly defined periods of flare-ups followed by complete to almost complete remissions -- we are not always symptom free during remission. It is definitely within the normal range to experience symptoms during those times.
I have not personally experienced the MS Hug. (see my post, MS Hug Demystified) I do know that as with many other symptoms of MS, the Hug can be brought on by stress, heat, or fatigue. While it is not a life-threatening event, it is frightening in its intensity. Definitely something you'll want to mention to your neurologist.
I hope I've answered your questions and been of some help.
All the best,
Mandy
I would ask about a spinal tap. I am not sure what it is they test for but I do know that this is another way to test for M.S. I had one done it was not that bad. I like you started with speech problems, muscle twitches and double vision. I was dx with CIS then MS when there were more lessions. I hope this helps.......
The migraines have been much more difficult to live with than any of the problems I have had with MS thus far. I was diagnosed with MS in 1994 and initially suffered from various relapsing-remitting type problems. I am blessed to be doing extraordinarily well today and hope to continue that way.
Unfortunately, I get many many migraines throughout the course of a month and there is rarely enough migraine medicine (since insurance limits me to 6 doses per month) to get me through. Consequently, I suffer with many migraines without help.
Anyway, when I was diagnosed, the possibility of these migraines was never mentioned.
Fortunately, today, with the internet and other rapid forms of communication, we can share our ailments with one-another and "not feel alone". We can also share suggestions.
I write here merely to let others know "you are not alone".!
DAC
You are me...i was diagnosed in 1996 and i am good...most days except fatique from time to time so...i can control that....But my migraines are another story...for the past 5 years...i have tried all kinds of meds...(Imetrex is my drug of choice this year)....some work well....but i am 53 and the headaches used to come on a monthly basis at the same time...Now they come two times a month.... and i feel sick on my stomach.. cannot sleep them away without med.... meds work for a while and then... don't...
but i pray and I thank God that this old migraine is all i have. I am going to start working out more and drink green smoothies like Montel's new book says...maybe that will help....
i hope so anyway... glad i found my twin out there fighting my same battle
mrs mom
About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitus. Along with this brings chronic inflammation of the sinuses and I am at risk for infection at all times. It started with a headache that just got worse and worse until I would get so dizzy I'd almost fall over. I ended up having endoscopic sinus surgery because I kept getting migraines and they did a cat scan and I had a huge mass of mucus stuck in my sinuses...that explained the migraines...until they came back a year later. Finally I went into the ER and they did another cat scan. It was abnormal so they did an MRI and found multiple little white legions along with a "scar" the size of a quarter. After a spinal tap, they said the results gave evidence of MS. So, I still have been having migranes for a month strait and finally the pain dulled after taking Lyrica and Indomethicin. The pain was so severre I could not leave my house for several days at a time. Dr. thinks they are not connected but it doesn't make sense that I have 3 seperate issue...chronic sinusitus, chronic migraines and MS. These are all Head related issues. I also have had constant pain in the back of my eyes for the whole of that year and a half, so I could have had MS all along. The pain in my eyes is so painful and it will not go away no matter what I do. In a couple days I go discuss treatment options with my doctor. I keep feeling numb tingling spots on my thigh or back or calves, I'm so weak and dizzy all the time. I can't think correctly and reading is often difficult. I am 24 and I just enrolled into college to major in english..finally deciding to do somthing with my life, and then BAM! you have MS...try studying now. I can't focus with the migraines or the eye pain. If something doesn't dull the pain soon, I'll have to quit school. I want to go to school sooo bad, it's the only thing I want to do. If I can't have that...I don't want to live. Writing is who I am. Any advice for me? Do they symptoms decrease when the attack is over? How long can an attack last? Is it possible that the eye pain will go away? I don't know what else to do.
I have been getting migraines for the past 10 years. They are always followed by several days of numbness on my left side. The migraines are also almost always on my left side. An MRI has revealed what has been "read" as "small vessel disease." I have always suspected some mild form of MS. My sister also has MS symptoms. My brother has migraines also. So there may be something in our genetics. Now, with the recent news from Italy about the carotid artery and the new procedure to alleviate MS symptoms, I'm thinking I'd like to get my arteries tested. I believe there is a very good chance there is a connection here. What a relief if it's something this simple. I am now taking beta blockers for the migraines - and it works! But now I cough all the time and my doctor thinks it might be the beta blockers shutting down my airway receptors. Sheesh! I'm an otherwise healthy 62 year old. I'm in good physical condition (5' 4" and 130 lbs). I've been doing yoga for the past 30 years, which I believe has been a lifesaver for me.
I was diagnosed with possible ms, because of the problems that I was having and the fact that my mother has ms. I have suffered from migraines for over 30 years and my doctor states it is because I have went though menapause is the reason that I don't have as many. I still have the headaches.
I have been going to another doctor because of my eye drooping and blurred vision and she just informed me that I tested postive for myasthenia gravis on the 1 st test and negtive on the next test. She gave me medication and stated that I could start taking it if I wanted too or I could wait until another doctor does a test were they put needles in my face and put electricity to them. I have read alot of articles about myasthenia gravis and they all state that it affects the nerves and muscles and that the rest is the best thing for you. It doesn't mention the pain, muscle spams, or alot of the other signs of ms. I had an MRI and the doctor stated that I had white spot on the white matter of my brain and that could be from me smoking but she didn't know. So can someone tell me if they have myasthenia gravis and if they are in alot of pain especially in their arms and legs. I also have problems with walking, speech, tingling in arms, legs, burning in legs and spine,electric shock in my fingers and toes,muscle spams. I take my medication at night and still wake up hurting and hurt all day. So please any advice will help. Thanks. Dianne
I like others have had migraines for as long as I can remember. They were so bad that my mom said I would kick and scream. When I was 30 I went to a new doctor he asked about my migraines and if I had ever had an mri done. Of course I had never had one so we decided it was best to have one done. It came back as "white matter" on my brain. I was referded to a neuro. she said that the white matter looked like a normal mri for a person that has had migraines for a long time. She decided to do two more mri's over a year to see if there was a change. I had the next two mri's done in a years time. Both can back more or new white matter. I was told that I have M.S.......To make the story short I have have M.S. for 2 years now and my migraines have got worse. I have tried 4 differnet meds and they work for a while then they dont anymore. I am sure this is a common problem in M.S.ers.
thanks for the artice. Very interesting. I am 33 years old. Diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy at the age of 14. THey did an MRI at that time - I had a few small punctate lesions on my frontal and parietal lobes...I have been on depakote since I was 14 - have not had problems with seizures since then. I always though had this strange intense gaze. I can break it..so it's not a seizure but i just think it is strange - it happened a lot to me when I was in high school and is currently happening a lot now.
Currently I started going to the gym in December and working out about an hour a day at the gym - spinning classes and personal trainer...I started getting headaches that just kept increasing. My promary doctor thought an MRI would be a good ideas so I had one done in December - the reports noted white matter lesions in the centrum semi-ovale, periventricular white matter.
I saw the neurologist because of the increase in headaches and i was getting tingling in my 4th and 5th digits of my hand up my arm..just to be sure he wanted to see what would happen with contrast. I went in and they did both brian and cervical spine... nothing lit up with the contrast. however the report counted 35-40 lesions measuring 1-4 mm and one measuring 6 mm.
My head just EVERY DAY feels like it is pounding - occasional really painful stabbing but mostly just lightheadeed/dizzy feeling ALL THE TIME...
I tried topomax and it made me so dumb! Imitrex made my headach worse - becasue it increased my blood pressure.
My neuro thinks the lesions do not lok like MS lesions and that I most likely do not have MS. He sent me for bloodwork for ischemic disease, and said he will do a eye test and wanted to do a spinal tap - but then when he saw how uncomfortable I was with that - he asked me if I wanted to go see an MS specialist in Seattle to completely rule out MS. He said if the specialit asks him to do the LP then we would do it. One the one hand he tells me it's not MS but on the other he is still looking for proof that it is not MS 100%. Whats going on? In the meantime I am suffering with headaches daily!!!!!!!
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2013 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Test Your MS Knowledge 
10 Symptoms That Could Be MS 
10 Foods That Fight Inflammation 
Unusual Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms 
I have always suffered from migraines since teen years two to three times a month. I would take Imitrex and it would go away after a few hrs. Two and a half years ago I started having extreme migraines every day for the next two 1/2 years. I was seeing a neurologist during this time who never prescribed an MRI. She prescribed 100mg of Imitrex or if really bad the Imitrex injectibles 6mg. She also prescribed Topamax 100mg daily, vicodin 5-500mg when completely overwhelmed with pain. Early last fall 2008 I started having vision problems, very bad cognitive problems, was so tired all of the time and could not get out of bed. Very bad problems with walking....so I changed my neurologist and he got me into an MRi which he said that I have MS. I did tell him of my migraine history and still got the MS diagnosis. I am on Rebif and still have the really bad migraines, not as often but still just as severe. I have horrible cognitive issues that have not resolved and I am still very tired. What can I do?
Loree,
Your migraine to MS story is eerily similar to my own. I lived with chronic migraines for 30 years. My first obvious MS attacks came on like blockbusters and it took 6 months to reach that diagnosis. At the same time, I started using the NTI Device, which was a tremendous help.
I'll never know if there is a connection -- with the NTI or the MS -- but since then my migraines have taken a back seat. I still get them, but they are much less frequent and less severe. I still find relief with Imitrex if I take it quickly enough.
As for the fatigue and cognitive problems, they are quite common with MS. I strongly recommend that you discuss these with a neurologist. There are some lifestyle changes and medications that can help.
I don't know what the stats are, but it seems that a lot of people with MS also have migraines. It's a real kick in the pants.
Please come back and let us know how you're doing.