I have been diagnosed with MS. Can this be caused from closed head trauma? 5 Lessions at brain stem.?

Question

I was in a auto accident 2 yrs ago, L5 & 6 bulge, T 4&5 bulge, c2, 3 & 4 pinched nerves. continuous treatments have left me in the same condition. 4 months ago, i started having strange symptoms, first told they were psychopsymatic symptoms, after lots of meds, an MRI was done and discovered lessions on my brain. My Dr's say that this is a result of trauma from my accident. Kinda like shaken baby syndrome. In the last 2 months my memory has gotten so bad, I forget were I am going, to do daily routines, swear I have never been places I have been before, cant remember simply things. I am getting to were I don't trust myself. Is this a normal symptom for such an early diagnosis. During July I believe I had my first episode, I was extremely ill, couldn't walk, think, facial paralysis, visual issues with one eye. Please give me any advice or opinions you have. I have accepted my condition, just dont understand what is happening to me.

I am Caucasion 32 yr female. I guess I didnt explain myself throughly. Can Ms be activated by Head trauma? Thank you to all who have responded.

Answer 1

Contact your local MS chapter for support. Ask you doctor about using Rebif - an injectable drug that slows down the progression.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your problems; you've had some tough breaks. You didn't say how old you were, which would help some, but I've never heard of MS being caused by trauma. It doesn't sound like anything you have (bulging discs, etc.) caused the MS (if that's what it is--and it sounds like it is, with the MR results). The suggestion above that you should join an MS support group is really good; you'd be surprised at how much they can help.
Unfortunately, with MS the symptoms get better, then worse, then better, and continue like that. There are drugs which can help slow the disease, but none that we know can stop or reverse it.

[There is an alternative therapy that I've heard of; I don't recommend or disparage it. Just for your information. Some people have had significant improvement with bee stings. Yes, you read right. There are some practitioners (see the internet-I haven't looked, but you can find anything on the internet) who apply bees to your arms and legs, let them sting you, and, for some reason, the bee venom slows the progression of the MS.]

What's happening is that the body, for reasons no one knows, starts to develop plaques in various parts of the brain. (The research scientists know what the plaques are made of, but I don't.) Where the plaques form--randomly--in the brain determines what symptoms are seen. They disrupt the flow of signals through the brain. [Then, (and this is just a conjecture of mine, probably not the way it really happens) the brain gradually builds up new connections which have been disrupted, and this reconnection causes the symptoms to get better.] (Don't believe that; I'm just rambling.)

I hope you get better; most MS sufferers have many years of relatively good life.

Answer 3

I haven't heard of MS being caused by trauma. I believe the current theory is that it could perhaps be caused by a combination of a virus and the environment you grew up in. People with MS is the family have a slightly higher risk of being affected, but not high enough for MS to be considered a inherited disease.

Stress can trigger MS exacerbation, though. And perhaps your accident activated it?

Some people believe certain homeopathic treatments or diets will help you, but there is very little evidence of this. Eat healthy foods, exercise as much as you can, if you have the opportunity it's also a good idea to see a physiotherapist.

Since you seem to have relapsing remitting MS, you will benefit from taking some kind of beta-interefon. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex or something similar. If you're not already on this type of treatment, I'd strongly advise you to look into it.

While MS can affect your memory, so can depression and stress, as well as injuries. Relaxing exercises can help you there. Also, you might find it helpful to carry a small notebook around.

Since MS is a disease where your body's myelin (the fatty tissue that protects your nerve fibres) is attacked (not a muscular degenerative disease), each patient will be affected differently according to which areas that are being targeted, how serious the damage is, and how often you get exacerbations. There really isn't such a thing as a general development. This insecurity isn't very pleasant to live with. My advice is to make the most of every single day. Focus on the good things, the things you can do, the things you're good at.

For more information about what is happening to you, I'd suggest that you visit MS sites online or ask your neurologist.

Many of the symptoms of MS can be addressed medically. Talk to your neurologist to see if there's anything he/she can do for you. Many people with MS still have rich fulfilling lives. Try to keep a positive outlook. MS can be an obstacle in your life which you need to work around, but it need not be a total block.

Answer 4

My best friend has MS - she was diagnosed about 7 yrs ago. The doctors didn't say what caused it. MS is a condition of the muscles & nerves. Her symptoms: She had the same visual problems, & she had walking problems - she'd fall - couldn't see that good at night -
As far as I know, MS is a muscular degenerative disease. Her thinking was alittle jarred, but not much, because she would tell me what was going on with her (before she knew what was happening)
Your issues may be connected with the pinched nerves that you have. There are drugs & medication that will help you, depending on how far along you are, which ones you get. Please call your doctor, or get a second opinion or a third opinion if you're not satisfied with the one you receive.
Take care of yourself, things will get better - remember, Mind over Matter !!!

Answer 5

Please contact your local MS chapter. I would also recommend trying the Swank diet. More information is available at www.swankmsdiet.com .. It is a very low fat diet, but it really helps lots of people with MS. And I don't know if anyone knows the cause of MS. It could have been the lesions appearing, but maybe the lesions were there prior to your accident... MS can go undiagnosed for a long time. Good Luck.

Answer 6

yes it could be