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What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy, Dizziness, Fatigue, Heaviness In The Legs And Urinary Incontinence?
Posted on
Sat, 12 Nov 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 12 Nov 2016
Answered on
Mon, 5 Dec 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Have been having many issues, neuropathy, dizziness, itching, fatigue, heaviness in legs, extreme incontinence etc etc. saw a neuro about a year and a half ago referred by gp, mri of brain showed white matter spots. He did a spinal tap , negative. Now symptoms worse cognitive issues worse. Slurring, etc new neuro wants to repeat all tests. My question is can ms be diagnosed without spinal? He believes this is what i have. I had bad pain after last time. If not ms then what??
Brief Answer:
No single test is conclusive about MS.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Multiple sclerosis diagnosis is achieved after an extensive neurological examination, imaging studies (MRI of brain and spinal cord to evaluate characteristic white matter changes), spinal tap, and evoked potentials ( somatosensory and motor ).
Spinal tap results positive about multiple sclerosis only if the disease is active or during an attack.
No single test can diagnose this condition.
If spinal tap was painful, you can have MRI and evoked potentials done first.
If these tests result inconclusive, spinal tap may be discussed again, but during an attack of disease.
Other conditions that may cause white matter spots are Balo's disease, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Schidler's sclerosis etc.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards.
No single test is conclusive about MS.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Multiple sclerosis diagnosis is achieved after an extensive neurological examination, imaging studies (MRI of brain and spinal cord to evaluate characteristic white matter changes), spinal tap, and evoked potentials ( somatosensory and motor ).
Spinal tap results positive about multiple sclerosis only if the disease is active or during an attack.
No single test can diagnose this condition.
If spinal tap was painful, you can have MRI and evoked potentials done first.
If these tests result inconclusive, spinal tap may be discussed again, but during an attack of disease.
Other conditions that may cause white matter spots are Balo's disease, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Schidler's sclerosis etc.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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