Multiple Sclerosis?

I AGREE TO USE MD STAT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, THAT NO DOCTOR PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS FORMED BY MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXCHANGE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MY QUESTION AND ANSWER(S) WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND WILL BE VIEWABLE BY VISITORS TO THE SITE.: Yes, I agree.
About 4 months ago, I experienced severe pain in my left eye and severe vertigo.  The vertigo eventually went away, but the pain didn't.  I saw an eye doctor and a neuro eye doctor who said that my eye was healthy, no injury.  The neuro eye doc ordered a CAT scan and blood work, as my eye was bulging a bit.  Everything came back normal.  Went to my neurologist who ordered an MRI.  He said it was most likely optic neuritis, and there was a chance it could be MS.  MRI came back normal.  Neurologist then ordered an MRI of my cervical spine to rule out Devic's syndrome.  And also 3 days of consecutive IV steroids to reduce inflammation/pain. I have had no other symptoms of MS. Nor have I lost my vision or have experienced any visual problems.
 However, I've read that a person can have it even though the MRI is clean. I also have fibromyalgia if that is relevant. I just want to know if it's possible to have MS.  Not looking for a diagnosis, just your thoughts.  Also, there are two people (second cousins) who have MS in the family, and my neurologist mentioned that it's possible that MS does run in families.  Thank you.

 Gender: Female
 How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5' 2"
 What is your weight in pounds?: 196
 How old are you?: 37
 How long has this been going on?: More than a month
 Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
 Eye
 Describe associated symptoms not listed above: Severe constant pain in left eye

 What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.
 : CAT scan - normal
 Blood work on thyroid - normal
 MRI - normal
 (1) IV infusion of steroids - pain went away for a day and a half, only to return
 Will have 3 days of IV steroids in 2 weeks
 MRI of cervical spine ordered but not done yet
 Taking painkillers, motrin, and neurotin
 Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery : fibromyalgia
 intractable vertigo
 migraines
 TMJ surgery at 15
 Ankle surgery in 2011
 Tonsils out at 7
 Check all conditions present in your immediate family... :
 Cancer

 Please list any medication allergies that you have : : Emaycin, penicillin and derivatives, flagyl
 Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: Elavil 75mg 1x/day
 Reglan 5mg 2x/day
 Omeprozole 20mg 2x/day
 Birth control
 Allegra 180 1x/day
 Allergy injections 1x/month
 Neurotin 1x/day
 Motrin 800mg 3x/day
 Zoloft 100mg 1x/day
 Xanaz .25mg as needed
 Maxalt 10mg as needed
 Vitamin D
 When was your last menstrual cycle?: 1 week ago
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
 Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never
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Good gracious! I'm sorry you have so many problems (and so many medicines to take).

I do not think you have MS for two reasons. First of all, your MRI, the diagnostic test of choice, was normal. But perhaps even more importantly, you saw an Ophthalmologist who did a direct visualization of your optic nerve. You did NOT have optic neuritis if an eye doctor did not see bulging of the optic disc on exam. Period. I am not sure what this was or if you will ever know, but it is not MS.

Be Well

Acute Mid-Abdominal Pain

I AGREE TO USE MD STAT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, THAT NO DOCTOR PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS FORMED BY MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXCHANGE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MY QUESTION AND ANSWER(S) WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND WILL BE VIEWABLE BY VISITORS TO THE SITE.: Yes, I agree.

I have felt nauseous all day, and about 30 minutes ago I had an intense radiating pain just above my solar plexus and through to the corresponding area of my back. I felt like a couldn't breathe deeply, but I had no trouble breathing. I got dizzy and started to black out. The pain lasted for about 3-5 minutes then slowly went away.  This started today but the drop down box wouldn't recognize that answer.

 Gender: Female
 How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5' 6"
 What is your weight in pounds?: 140
 How old are you?: 45
 How long has this been going on?: A few days

 Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
 Abdominal Pain
 Difficulty Breathing
 Vomiting
 Nausea
 Musculoskeletal Pain

 What have you done so far to remedy this condition? Please include tests and relevant studies here.
 : Laid down.

 Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery (lacerations don't count!): D&C 2005, 2 C-sections 2006, 2012

 Check all conditions present in your immediate family... :
 Hypertension
 Please list any medication allergies that you have : : None
 Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: Chlorthalid 25mg, Wellbutrin 300xl, vitamin D, Motrin
 When was your last menstrual cycle?: Now
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: No
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
 Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Never

 What could the pain be from?
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So sorry this question sat for a while. For the benefit of my readers more than you at this point any pain such as you experienced with nausea and near-syncope is not something to ignore or try to sleuth-out on the internet. It is a reason to go directly to the ER.

Many things could cause this; ulcer disease, pancreatitis, Aortic dissection, blood clot in the lung... but first and foremost any pain in or near the chest of the nature you have described and with your history of hypertension should be assumed to be heart related... a heart attack, until proven otherwise. This remains true even if the pain resolves as this pain could be a harbinger of a heart attack.

Again, sorry for the delay in answering, if you are still having this problem please get in with your physician as soon as you possibly can, and if the pain recurs go to the ER.

Be Well

Gall Bladder Pain Without a Gall-Bladder

I AGREE TO USE MD STAT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, THAT NO DOCTOR PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS FORMED BY MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXCHANGE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MY QUESTION AND ANSWER(S) WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND WILL BE VIEWABLE BY VISITORS TO THE SITE.: Yes, I agree.

I have been experiencing excruciating abdominal pain. it starts usually at the very bottom of my sternum closer to the right side of my body & as it gets more intense it radiates to my ribs & i always break out into a pouring sweat & get either really pale or my face gets really red & I can barely breath but if I calm down (which I've managed to do a little better) I can ease the pain a tiny bit by breathing in through my nose & outta my mouth. The episodes last less than an hour most of the time & since April of 2009 when the first one happened I've had them at least once a month sosometimes more. it started about 4 days after having my gallbladder removed (lapriscopic) I had no gall stones at all just after doing all proper testing it showed that my gallbladder only 12% function. please help no Dr can tell me what it is.

 Gender: Female
 How tall are you (feet and inches)?: 5'6"
 What is your weight in pounds?: 145
 How old are you?: 32
 How long has this been going on?: More than a year
 Check all symptoms you are currently experiencing:
 Abdominal Pain
 Chest Pain
 Nausea
 Bruising or Bleeding

 Please list any chronic medical problems and also list any prior surgery:
 GERD
 gall bladder removal
 Tubal ligation

 Check all conditions present in your immediate family... :
 Cardiac Disease
 History of Back Pain
 Hypertension

 Please list any medication allergies that you have : : NSAIDS
 Please list any medications you are currently taking (and dosage if known) :: Hydrocodone 5/325
 Santa 150mg

 When was your last menstrual cycle?: 3 weeks ago
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of tobacco use?: Yes
 Are you currently using or do you have a history of illegal drug use?: No
 Please describe your alcohol consumption :: Rarely

 1. Why do I have this severe pain after gall bladder removal?
 2. How to fix it?
 3. What will reduce pain while experiencing an episode of severe pain?
 May we send you a satisfaction survey after your question is answered? It takes a minut to fill out.: Yes

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You have a difficult problem. No doubt your gall bladder needed to be removed. However, you now continue to have symptoms that mimic the initial problem, and this is called 'post-cholecystectomy syndrome'. Unfortunately this can be difficult to treat and is a 'diagnosis of exclusion', meaning, all other possible causes need to be ruled out. HERE IS A GOOD REFERENCE FOR YOU. My advice is to see a Gastroenterologist, not a surgeon, and if you have done this and are dissatisfied get a second opinion. Unfortunately diagnosing your problem will be complicated, and is beyond what we can do here, but my best guess is that you do have post-cholecystectomy syndrome, and seeing a good Gastroenterologist is, unfortunately, the best advice I can give you.

Be Well