Can MS continue for 30 years with only symptoms being dizzyness and hearing loss
Thirty two years ago when I was a 22yr old with 2 small children I was diagnosed with MS. The neurologist didn't tell me of the diagnosis, choosing to wait to see if symptoms reappeared. There was no reoccurence and eventually I left the area never knowing the diagnosis that had been made. Those early, and relatively severe, symptoms never reappeared but about 5 years later I began to have very brief episodes of dizzyness and began to loose my hearing. For the past 30 years the bouts of dizzynes have reoccured at intervalls of several months and my high frequency sensory neural hearing loss has gradually got worse. I have had an MRI scan and no problem was seen. No reason for my hearing loss was ever established.
I have not had any other symptoms of MS and have led a very active life, however in the last few months I have felt concern over the increasing number of health issues that seem to have arrived together. These include more dizzyness and another reduction in hearing, a bout of bowel problems, sore mouth and itching throat, pain on swallowing, frequent mis-swallowing (not getting the timing right and choking on my food & biting my tongue) a couple of bouts of fatigue way beyond my normal 'tired' feelings.
As a result of this collection of events I managed to relocate my medical notes which had been left behind several years ago. It was only then that I read the MS diagnosis of 32years ago.
I brought up the possibility of a long term and relatively benign form of MS with my doctor but she virtually laughed at me. Now I'm anxious and confused, Could this be a mild form of MS and if so should I try to talk to my doctor again and get treatment?
I would really appreciate some advice
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
What an amazing story!! I'm thinking back to what were 'typical' treatment options for MS in 1976 and the answer is 'not much.' Nowadays, a doctor would likely assign the term 'possible MS' or 'probable MS' before there is enough evidence to call it 'definite MS.' Here is some basic information regarding Diagnosis of MS. Although it sounds unreal that your doctor would not have mentioned MS, it makes sense that he/she would wait for another event (relapse) to occur before it could be made official.
The good news seems to be that if it really is MS you seem to have had a rather mild, or benign, case and the disease has not progressed very much. Dizziness and vertigo can definitely be associated with MS, but they can also be associated with other health problems. Hearing loss is a less common result of MS, but not impossible. Sound waves are translated into electric impulses in the brain. If there is nerve damage along that route than hearing will be affected. And you probably already know that bowel problems and difficulty swallowing are possibly related to MS.
To be able to 'see' active lesions in the brain and spinal cord, a gadolinium dye must be used in a MRI scan. Sometimes a spinal tap is conducted to look for typical markers in the cerebrospinal fluid. (I had to have one of these.) There are also tests called Evoked Potentials which look for nerve damage.
Perhaps your doctor would be willing to refer you to a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in MS. When preparing for this appointment, try to detail the events and symptoms which you have experienced over the years. Document, as best as you can remember, what was going on when your doctor 32-years ago put MS in your charts. And definitely go prepared with questions.
Please let us know how this works out for you.
Good luck.
- Thank you for your input
- Ranked Helpful (5)
- Report Abuse
