Lynn is a 38 y.o. mother of two, a 10 y.o. girl and a 2 y.o. boy. She is active and has always enjoyed good health. For the past two weeks, Lynn has been having problems with her right lower extremity during her daily walks. She has noticed that she is tending to catch her toe more, especially toward the end of the walk. It is also harder for her to go upstairs. A physical therapist friend does a manual muscle test on her lower extremities and finds that the left lower extremity tests normal at 5/5, but that the hip and knee muscles of Lynns right lower extremity only test at 3/5. The physical therapist recommends Lynn see a neurologist, which she does. The neurologist performs several diagnostic tests and does two MRIs over the next few weeks. The findings of the tests include the following. MRI: Evidence of 4-5 plaques in the spinal cord. Visual Evoked Potential (VEP): Slowed response time. Blood Tests: Normal. Cerebral Fluid Analysis: Oligoclonal bands present. Elevated IgG antibodies. After approximately 1 month and several other tests, Lynn is given a diagnosis. She is told to expect exacerbations and remissions. Lynn is given glucocorticoids to take during exacerbations.
