Hello,
Please try not to worry, although I know it’s hard! I was diagnosed with Optic Neuritis last November (at 36) and the first thing I did was Google it and found the link with MS. I had pain and blurred vision and was told that there were signs of demyelination.
I had an MRI of the brain and it found “several non-specific scattered in the white matter”. Needless to say I Googled some more and convinced myself I had MS (not a good time!) as so much of the information on websites and forums suggests that ON + lesions will definitely lead to a diagnosis.
I ended up using my private healthcare (work perk, thankfully) to see one of the best Consultant Neurologists in London as I was so scared. He ordered an MRI of the spine and a session of hearing and balance tests (as I had developed migraines/shooting head pains and dizziness). The hearing tests included a very specific one (can’t remember the name) which would be suggestive of MS. All the tests came back completely clear and two Consultants have said that I should be fine and that they’re not particularly worried about me. The migraines and dizziness disappeared a few days after I got told the results were clear (so I’m convinced they were a result of so much anxiety!). I’m being monitored by the hospital (an appointment every 6 months or so) but I haven’t had any more symptoms since. I’m not saying I won’t develop MS (and I take vitamin D religiously every day) but I’m much less worried about the possibility as the Consultant said that he saw a lot of “stressed young women like me” with a lot on their plate who develop ON which doesn’t develop to anything else.
Just a few other random things to note:
I was really stressed with work and a nightmare house move just before I developed ON. I know there’s no link but I can’t help feeling that the stress might have been a factor.
Lots of people develop ON and never have it again (or any other symptoms). You probably won’t hear about these people as they’re much less likely to post on internet forums.
No demyelination is good!
My friend had a brain MRI (not linked to MS) and they found several non-specific scattered lesions. Some people just have them.
Even if does develop into MS, there’s a higher likelihood that it’s likely to be a milder form if ON is the first presenting symptom.
Again, if it is MS then it’s not the condition it once was. Take this thread for example:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2468212-Possible-MS-any-positive-encouraging-words
Hope this long post helps a bit!