have been diagnosed with Optic Neuritis 4
years ago. Since then I have had 2 MRI's
with nothing showiing. I have lost about
40% of vision in my right eye which is the
same to this day. I frequently have
tingling in hands and feet, along with a
staggered gate. I have most recently in
the ast 3 weeks just returned for ma trip
to Cuba. since my return I have noticed
that my lack of sexual desire is extreemly
bothersome. I have no disire what so
ever. Erectile difficulties are present.
Thankfully my wife is very understanding.
They say that exposure to the sun can
bring systoms of MS to the surface. The
doctors were concerned that I do have MS
but not making a diagnosis. They say that
just because nothing has shown up in the
MRI's to indicate that I have this desease
that does not mean that I do not have this
condition.
Optic neuritis is one of the most common
symptoms of multiple sclerosis but the
presence of optic neuritis is still not
enough to confirm the diagnosis. Very
indicative for MS is that symptoms come
and go in episodes. At least 2 episodes
are required to confirm MS and you had
only one episode of optic neuritis.
Brain lesions (plaques) detected with an
MRI together with optic neuritis are very
strong evidence for having MS which is not
in your case. In 50% of cases where MS is
present with optic neuritis no plaques can
be detected with an MRI. This means that
you may have MS but it can’t be seen on
an MRI.
There are additional diagnostic procedures
for confirming or excluding MS: an
examination of the cerebro-spinal liquor
and a test for evocated electrical
potentials.
Finally, other diseases with the same
symptoms should be excluded before
confirming MS. Optic neuritis can be also
due to: viral-bacterial infections,
autoimmune disorders (e.g. lupus), certain
drugs (chloramphenicol and ethambutol) and
the inflammation of vessels (vasculitis)
that feed the optic nerve.
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Multiple Sclerosis Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
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This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
