Hi. :)
I think a lot of people have been dismissed with the A word, unfortunately.
I believe that if you feel strongly that your symptoms are not resulting from anxiety you have the right to pursue more information that could help uncover the source of your problems and resolve them. You say you've been making an effort to give the diagnosis a try and that's great, but if the treatment for that diagnosis isn't improving your symptoms and is actually worsening them, I think it's worth it for you to go further.
What does your primary physician say about your symptoms? Maybe you could discuss the fact that your symptoms are getting worse with the splints and see if they would at least be willing to suggest something else to help you.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope you'll feel much better soon.
Hi mommyccb, and welcome.
Having said that, I now say arrrgghh! How dare that arrogant jerk who knew you for maybe 15 minutes diagnose you with a psychiatric illness! This happens way too often, so you are far from alone.
I have no idea whether or not anxiety is at the root of your symptoms, and assuming it isn't, what physical problem you do have. But from what you've said, no one has actually tested you for carpal tunnel problems. To the jerk neurologist, I say, ya know, there are tests for this! Personally I would never wear those splints unless or until I had definitively been diagnosed with carpal tunnel. But then, I'm a tough cookie, and I fight back readily and pretty successfully.
If you're not this type, find a family member or close friend who is and get him or her geared up with the facts. Then keep looking till you locate a neuro who is willing to go the distance in testing you. Have your advocate with you for all contacts.
When both hands and both feet have symptoms simultaneously, MS is unlikely, but that still leaves other problems on the table. Just some possibilities: various vitamin deficiencies, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes and especially, Lyme disease. I see you live in NY State, a hotbed of Lyme. Also, have you had an MRI of your spine?
Hang in there and fight back!
ess
Thank you all for responding to my concerns. As I sit here typing with a completely tingly and weak right hand, it is so helpful to have support from others who have been through similar circumstances and have an understanding of what it is like to know there is something wrong, but not be able to find it. I have an appointment with my pcp tomorrow to further discuss where to go next.
What you have just experienced is my biggest fear in this process, as I have been under treatment for both depression and anxiety for 20 years.
Please do advocate for yourself. I have been put off for 5 years: "you need to stop wearing high heels", "It's probably arthritis", "your foot has suffered a break which is causing the pain" (yeah? What about the matching pain in the right foot?), "you have de quervain's tenosynovitis, let me give you some injections", "I believe you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you need a hand specialist"....
Keep pushing. It was a random doc I saw regarding a car accident that FINALLY listened when I told him my litany of issues ~which by that time included falling, slurred speech, bouts of confusion and fatigue~ that I was referred to a caring Neurologist with a mission to Dx.
My best advice would be to get copies of all the tests and results you have had to date, find another Neurologist maybe in the next city and go loaded for bear.
I wish you the best, and may you take the most direct path to getting some solid confirmation and relief.
Mel