Anything besides MS?

[AYW68SS]

I had been having progressively worse back pain, which led to my legs and feet. Also led to bladder and bowel issues. I felt like I pretty much talked my doctor into putting in an MRI request on my lower lumbar. He didn't think my insurance will approve it but they did. Turns out, I have a tethered spinal cord, a Tarlov cyst, lesions on my liver and a splattering of other cysts on various internal parts. Not to mention, the curved spine, degenerative discs, arthritis, spinal canal stenosis. Anyways, my question is: do people with MS (mine was diagnosed in 2013) have other autoimmune diseases or congenital issues?? The doc told me that the MS didn't cause the tethered cord or Tarlov cyst or vice versa but as it turns out, all 3 things have the same "symptoms". I'm having spine surgery later this month to try to fix it, although they're not touching the Tarlov. Maybe I'll get some relief and hopefully it will stop the damage from getting worse. Thanks for reading and for your thoughts/opinions.

[ssdw1958]

I don’t have those symptoms but ms does different things to so many people. I get kidney stones, I also have raynards that is where my fingers will turn purple and get really cold. I have heard others complain about there backs. Good luck with your surgery.

[AYW68SS in reply to ssdw1958]

I have Raynaud's as well. It's weird to see purple fingers. My sister has it but her fingers turn ash grey/white. I don't get kidney stones but my mom does. She has MS too. Thanks for the well wishes.

[greaterexp]

It seems having more than one autoimmune disease is very common in those with MS.

I pray your surgery eases your symptoms greatly! Please let us know how you are doing.

[AYW68SS in reply to greaterexp]

My grandma had MS, my mother has MS and a few other autoimmune problems as well. I know they say it's not hereditary but I tend to disagree. Surgery on the 20th. I'll check in again. Thank you for your prayers.

[goatgal]

AYW66SS Both my sister and I have tethered spinal cords. She has scoliosis but I don't, though I have a divided uterus. I have MS; she has rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, we both have an array of other autoimmune conditions and congenital issues. Yet, despite this, in our 70s, we are both still upright and without heart disease or cancer and looking forward to the next decade. What I take from this is that despite flaws in the blueprint, we are doing well.

[AYW68SS in reply to goatgal]

You and your sister are my beautiful ray of sunshine. You've given me some calmness. Thank you for sharing. God bless you both.

[mrsmike9]

I was diagnosed with RA way before being diagnosed with MS...

[WAshingtongirl]

I'm saddened to hear about all that you are going through, AYW68SS . I have a number of autoimmune diseases, MS one of them. I am doing ok. I hope the surgery relieves the pain and helps you in the long term. I will pray for you. 💕