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Has Multiple Sclerosis. No Symptoms. Some Thing Else With The Same Symptoms?

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Posted on Mon, 24 Jun 2013
Question: Hello, A friend of mine has just received word that his wife has MS. She has not had any symptoms at all until now. She is over 40 years old. Are there ANY other possibilities of something else with the same symptoms

doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Multiple sclerosis is an immune related inflammatory disease that attacks the myelinated axons in the central nervous system.As a result the myelin is loss- this is called demyelination.
Myelin is a material that forms a sheath around the axons (the nerves), its main function is the help with the speed at which nervous impulses travel along.

There are other conditions that can cause demyelination. They are normally including in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Differential diagnosis is other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

The differential diagnosis includes : (1) tumors of the spinal cord

(2) vasculitis- this is inflammation of the blood vessels, it can occur on its own or in conditions such as lupus.

(3)infarction of the spinal cord- this is blockage of blood vessels that supply the spinal cord

(4)sarcoidosis- this disease can involve the central nerves in 5% of persons.This is an inflammatory disease that can affect many systems of the body

(5)transverse myelitis- this is also inflammation of the spinal cord but the exact cause is unknown

(6)av fistula- this is a connection between the arteries and veins in this case to in the back that may affect blood supply to the nerves in the area

(7) acute disseminated encephalomyelitis- this is a after infection or after vaccination attack on the spinal cord, it would respond to steroid therapy

Your friend's doctor may have already considered these options in his or her assessment.

I hope this helps, wish your friend to best
Feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (13 minutes later)
You have mentioned everything but Lime Disease. Does this not also have the same symptoms as MS ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (18 minutes later)
Hi

During the investigations the MRI would demonstrate demyelination of the axons.Even of there are conditions that can cause some of the same symptoms, they would not cause the destruction of myelin that the imaging tests would show.

The conditions that were mentioned can be associated with demyelination.

Lyme disease can affect the nervous system but the way in which it is done is different.

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Has Multiple Sclerosis. No Symptoms. Some Thing Else With The Same Symptoms?

Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Multiple sclerosis is an immune related inflammatory disease that attacks the myelinated axons in the central nervous system.As a result the myelin is loss- this is called demyelination.
Myelin is a material that forms a sheath around the axons (the nerves), its main function is the help with the speed at which nervous impulses travel along.

There are other conditions that can cause demyelination. They are normally including in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Differential diagnosis is other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

The differential diagnosis includes : (1) tumors of the spinal cord

(2) vasculitis- this is inflammation of the blood vessels, it can occur on its own or in conditions such as lupus.

(3)infarction of the spinal cord- this is blockage of blood vessels that supply the spinal cord

(4)sarcoidosis- this disease can involve the central nerves in 5% of persons.This is an inflammatory disease that can affect many systems of the body

(5)transverse myelitis- this is also inflammation of the spinal cord but the exact cause is unknown

(6)av fistula- this is a connection between the arteries and veins in this case to in the back that may affect blood supply to the nerves in the area

(7) acute disseminated encephalomyelitis- this is a after infection or after vaccination attack on the spinal cord, it would respond to steroid therapy

Your friend's doctor may have already considered these options in his or her assessment.

I hope this helps, wish your friend to best
Feel free to ask any other questions