Seeking Guidance on Symptoms to Discuss with My PCM
I am a 38-year-old woman, standing 5'3" tall and weighing 146 pounds. I've been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) based on blood tests and mild symptoms such as fatigue, sensitivity to heat, and numbness or discoloration in my feet, regardless of temperature. Notably, Raynaud's phenomenon has been ruled out as a potential cause. With a family history of autoimmune conditions—my aunt suffers from MS and my sister has Hashimoto's—I find myself questioning the connection of these symptoms to my MS. While I am not necessarily looking for assistance with managing MS itself, I am curious about whether it pertains to my current issues and what queries I should pose during my upcoming appointment with my doctor. Recently, I encountered a rather unusual episode in July 2023. While washing dishes, I experienced an overwhelming brightness and decided to retreat to a dimly lit living room, yet the intense brightness persisted, transforming into a vibrant, swirling ribbon-like pattern. Shortly after, I developed a migraine that lingered for several hours. Although I have a history of migraines, this was my first experience with an aura, and I hadn’t faced migraines in many years. Concerned about the seriousness of my symptoms, I researched online and discovered a term called Kaleidoscope Vision that seemed to describe my experience. Since that initial incident, I have suffered from similar episodes eight times in total: twice in 2023, twice in 2024, and four times in 2025. I documented each occurrence for reference. In a previous visit to my physician regarding this issue, I was advised to schedule an MRI. However, due to scheduling conflicts and technical issues with the MRI machine, I regretfully postponed the appointment. I would greatly appreciate any advice on what types of tests I should reasonably expect during my next consultation and any recommendations regarding my situation. The MRI is an obvious starting point given the previous suggestion, but I am also interested in knowing whether an MRI could help indicate any links to my MS. Currently, I am not taking any medications for MS since my symptoms are relatively minor. Any guidance you can provide would be immensely helpful. Thank you!
Answers (1)
9/12/2025, 2:40:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to have concerns about your symptoms, especially with your medical history and family background. You are right to consider the potential links between your current issues and multiple sclerosis (MS). Here’s an overview of what you should think about and discuss with your primary care manager (PCM) during your upcoming appointment.
Main Points:
- Your unusual visual episodes and migraines could be related to your MS.
- An MRI can help determine whether these symptoms are linked to MS or other conditions.
- Prepare a list of specific questions and topics to discuss during your appointment.
Explanation:
Your experiences with sudden brightness, swirling patterns, and subsequent migraines could suggest a neurological phenomenon, especially given your history with MS and migraines. While you've been focusing on your MS symptoms, the added occurrence of aura-like symptoms could require further investigation to rule out other issues or to understand how they relate to your existing condition.
An MRI examination is specifically important in this situation because it can reveal any changes in the brain or spinal cord that might correlate with your episodes. This will help provide clarity on whether there's a connection to your MS or if other factors are at play.
Next Steps:
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Schedule the MRI: As soon as possible, prioritize scheduling and completing the MRI. This will give you vital information about your brain health and any potential changes associated with your MS.
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Document Your Symptoms: Continue to track the frequency, duration, and intensity of your visual disturbances and migraines. This detailed record will help your PCM assess the severity and pattern of your symptoms.
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Prepare Questions for Your Appointment:
- Ask if your MRI results could clarify the connection between these episodes and your MS.
- Inquire about alternative diagnoses that could explain these symptoms, such as migraines with aura or other neurological conditions.
- Discuss whether preventive medication for migraines might be appropriate considering the new onset of aura.
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Consider Other Testing: Depending on the MRI results, be open to further testing such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the condition of your optic nerve and check for signs of MS progression.
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Stay Informed and Supported: Keep engaging with reliable resources about MS and related neurological symptoms. This knowledge can empower you during discussions with your doctor.
By being proactive in managing your health and addressing your concerns, you're taking important steps to ensure clarity and support for your condition. Don't hesitate to ask your provider all the necessary questions, so you leave with a better understanding of your health status. If you feel any changes in your symptoms before your appointment, be sure to report them.
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