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Diabetes and now possibly MS?

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Multiple Sclerosis
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mudshark
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2017
Posts : 127
Posted 2/6/2019 12:16 PM (GMT -8)
I usually spend most of my time on the lyme disease forum about myself, but today I have concern about my 26yr old daughter. She's been trying to determine what's going on with her lately and today received her brain MRI results:

"a few non-specific foci of white matter signal alteration . . . one subcortically measuring a few millimeters in the anterior left frontal lobe"

"a slightly linear area is also seen in the right front white matter near the callosal septal interface at the level of the body of the ventricle" - "seen on FLAIR but not axial . . .likely related to volume averaging effects"

and finally "the one which is linear and perpendicular to the callosal septal interface as can be sometimes seen in early demyelination. Clinical correlation suggested."

She has had Type 1 diabetes since age 8 - now 26. Lately she has been having her blood sugars go out of control and bi-lateral, whole body like symptoms:

- knee pain in both knees
- skin stiffness feelings on her hands, feet and face
- hands turning purple
- perceived facial numbness
- trembling in both hands
- headaches for months
- low grade fevers
- frequent urination
- vision issues with eyes / tunnel-like - like things don't look right she explains)

These symptoms come on all at once, last for a day or less and then go away for a day or two. The frequency seems to be increasing of late. We thought for sure most of this was anxiety-related, as on one of her worst days she took a 1/2 valium given her and magically a lot of her symptoms cleared. She had a couple good days after that. She has historically suffered from anxiety and self-esteem issues, and did self-harm by banging her head. about one year ago, the final time she hit her head, she actually gave herself a concussion.

So we were thinking anxiety or maybe she damaged her head from the previous traumas, but the MRI shows nothing like that. I would not suspect MS due to the bilateral presentation of symptoms and the multiple areas that are simultaneously involved, but I think her doctor mentioned it as a possibility. She is being referred to a neurologist.

Does this makes sense to anyone on this forum, rule anything in or out, and should we be worried she has another chronic illness to deal with on top of diabetes?

Thanks for any feedback.
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mudshark
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2017
Posts : 127
Posted 2/6/2019 1:35 PM (GMT -8)
I forgot to mention that she recently had the ANA blood test and that was positive at 1:80, which I think may indicated something else going on.
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Snoopy
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2015
Posts : 282
Posted 2/6/2019 2:51 PM (GMT -8)
Hi mudshark.

The MRI and report is a diagnostic tool but not a diagnosis, that is why the report says "Clinical correlation suggested."

Blood work is to rule in/out other conditions that can mimic Multiple Sclerosis. There is no blood test that would indicate MS including a positive ANA. A Rheumatologist could be a specialist a Dr. might refer her to. Some of the conditions Rheumatologist's treat can cause brain lesions and the ANA blood test helps in diagnosing some of them.

There is no symptom exclusive to MS, many other conditions, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, some medications and mental health issues can cause symptoms similar to MS.

It is very possible to have bilateral symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis but usually this is due to spinal cord involvement. When she took valium and alot of her symptoms resolved it's very possible those symptoms are anxiety based, however, Valium can help with symptoms that have nothing to do with anxiety.

If your daughter has not seen a Ophthalmologist for an eye exam and to discuss the vision problem I would suggest she do so.

I hope her Neurology appointment goes well. Take care.
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mudshark
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2017
Posts : 127
Posted 2/6/2019 5:44 PM (GMT -8)
Snoopy thanks for the reply. She has been referred to a rheumatologist and should be seeing them next Friday. She should also be able to see a very good neurologist that works at my wife's medical practices by next week as well. We gave him the MRI results and he stated they are non-specific and apparently not altogether remarkable. A lot of her systems are also consistent with post-concussion syndrome, but so many more going on so who knows. Hopefully we will know more soon.
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cyclinglady
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2015
Posts : 267
Posted 2/6/2019 7:58 PM (GMT -8)
Type 1 Diabetes and celiac disease are strongly linked. The symptoms you described could easily be attributed to celiac disease. Celiac disease is systemic. It does not always cause GI symptoms. It can wreak havoc with your brain and nervous system. It can produce white matter in MRI’s. Celiac disease can cause severe anxiety as well, not to mention maintains good glucose levels. Please consider a simple blood test to check for antibodies. Ask for the entire panel and the screening TTG test does not catch all celiacs but is easier on the insurance company’s pocketbook.

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

https://beyondtype1.org/celiac-disease/

https://celiac.org/about-the-foundation/featured-news/2012/09/brain-abnormalities-common-in-celiac-disease-patients/

I hope this helps!
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msOuchie
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2011
Posts : 601
Posted 2/6/2019 8:42 PM (GMT -8)
Hello Mudshark:

I'm sorry to hear all that your Daughter has gone through and is going through now. I feel for her. Some symptoms sound familiar.

Has she been to her Endo lately? Does she test her sugars often or use a Dexcom? Especially when she has shaky hands, headaches, frequent urination or vision problems? As Snoopy mentioned, going to her
Ophthalmologist would be a good idea. I'm glad to hear that she will be seeing a Rheumatologist on Friday. They cover many arthritic conditions plus blood tests.

I do not have MS but I was dxd. with:

Type 1 Diabetes(Juvenile Diabetes back then) when I was 3 years old, DKA 3 day Coma at 18, severe RA(low grade fever) at 24(after first baby), Retinopathy(and laser) at age 25, mild secondary Raynauds at 27(blue hands), Asthma at 32, Hypothyroidism at 36, Osteoarthritis at 44(a lad had it here at age 27), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in 2016, Total Hip and Knee Replacements in 2017, Microcystic Anemia(from chronic diseases) dxd. summer 2018. Other diagnoses and repairs in between.

I do not mean to say that your Daughter has any of these conditions. Certainly, no parent wants their child to have any disease for that matter. You just said if any symptoms came to mind, so to speak. It is best for the Doctors to do the tests and exams and then they will tell you what they think, if anything out of the ordinary. I do hope none.

Please keep us updated with your Daughter. Take Care!

Post Edited (msOuchie) : 2/7/2019 2:31:12 AM (GMT-7)

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