Behçets and Multiple Sclerosis anyone?

[dmphax]

Hi there! I have been diagnosed with MS since 2008, and I am currently being examined for Behçets.

I recall reading somewhere that medications for MS can upset Behçets symptoms and vice versa. Anyone with any insight?

[Lara1]

Hi! I was under examination for both diseases in 2013-2014 due to a big neuro flare that resulted in brain lesions. I had had other symptoms prior to that (skin, arthritis pain, erythema nodosum, etc). The problem was that my brain lesions looked like demyelinisation typical of MS and my other symptoms were coming and going. So after seeing several types of doctors in 4 countries the conclusion was - likely BD for systemic symptoms and either neuro BD or MS for the brain. Some doctors were telling me it’s highly unlikely to have 2 major auto-immune diseases but not unheard of. My neurologist here thought definitely MS in the brain so he started me on Copaxone. There were other treatment options but I deemed this med the least risky given the high probability of BD at least in the rest of my body if not in my brain as well. So I started the injections - after the 4th one I started getting a major neuro flare (meningitis like symptoms - major headaches, stiff neck, total confusion, light sensitivity, etc). I was hospitalised and put on anti inflammatories iv and after several weeks it subsided. After this it was clear it’s not MS. But I can definitely say this trial and error made my BD progress. So my advice to you is consider your symptoms carefully. I do not know what your exact situation is but having this double yummy combination is very unlikely. If you have MS type of lesions but you also have systemic symptoms it’s most likely BD with neuro BD. The doctor who helped me through all of this is dr Kidd in London (neurologist). If you google him you’ll see he has done research and is part of a research group that published guidelines on neuro BD.

I’d be interested to know more about your situation so drop me a line if you like to talk about this more.

Best of luck to you!