Anyone every gone to UCSF MS Clinic or have information on it

[raekay35]

Hello, all...My PCP is referring me to UCSF MS Clinic in San Francisco for further diagnosing of MS...This episode has been going on for approximately 5-6 months now with more and more symptoms all the time.  I just want answers and something that will help get me through this.  I guess the hardest part is living and putting on a happy face for everyone else around me while feeling like screaming and crying all the time!!!  I am sooo over this!!!  The tremors in my right hand are horrible, although I did have 2 days where they were extremely calm.  I now have this feeling in my left thigh in the outer portion that feels like there are bugs or something crawling under my skin and then a sharp burning pain, this feeling only lasts approx.  2-3 minutes but happens severall times a day which started this past Saturday.  Is it common to be in the middle of an episode and new symptoms start and others go away?  Really anxious about hearing back from UCSF and really want to be seen as soon as possible.  I just need a little encouragement from people dealing with this monster.  Thank you

[Karen99]

Information is going to help you to understand what is going on.  

How a diagnosis is made:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Diagnosing-MS---The-McDonald-Criteria-revised-2005/show/370?cid=36

Symptoms of a flare up and overlapping of symptoms:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Anatomy-of-Flare-up/show/170?cid=36

Mentions the "crawling bugs sensations:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Paresthesias---Things-That-Go-BUZZ-in-the-Night/show/378?cid=36

MS Society - a good site.  read the newly diagnosed topic:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

[raekay35]

Thank you so much for your encouragement.  I haven't been on in a couple of days, had several bad days recently.  My PCP is pretty sure MS is what I have, I've had ANA, ESR, etc...Lots of blood work which all come back normal with the exception of elevated platelets and eosinophils.  7 lesions in the MRI brain consistant with MS, greater than 5 O Bands in the CSF, no lesions found in MRI Spine.  I've definately had symptoms for several years, but always chalked it up to stress, depression, etc...I'm not one for going to the doctor but have been having really bad vertigo which resulted in falling down and passing out at work.  My boss made me go to the doctor in Sept, since then I've experienced hearing loss in my right ear, right hand tremor, severe memory problems with stuttering at times, balance problems etc...Fell down again last night.  Thank goodness I have a pro-active PCP who believed me, maybe because I passed out in the doctors office during an orthohypotention test.  Just really getting frustrated.  If you know of a good doctor closer than San Francisco please let me know.  Thank you again for everything.

[Karen99]

Hi.  I just sent you a Private Message.

I don't believe you have been properly welcomed to this Forum.  Welcome!  Stick with us here and you will find encouragement and support.  We are a varied group of folks here who will offer their experiences and knowledge in abundance.

Ask any questions you have that concern you.  Be it a symptom, treatment, diagnosis procedure or anything else on your mind.  

I encourage you to read the Health Pages section found on the upper right hand corner/yellow icon.  There is a wealth of information to be had at your fingertips re: multiple sclerosis.  Diagnosing MS is not always clear cut or easy.   Become familiar with the "McDonald Criteria" that is used by neurologists to diagnose MS, also found in the health pages.  

Usually, before a diagnosis of MS is made, all other mimics have to be ruled out.  Some of those are rheumatological in nature (other autoimmune causes), vitamin B12 deficiency, etc.

Have you had any symptoms prior to this episode?  What tests has your PCP done?



  

[biowham]

Raekay...I think Melissa (if I'm remembering that right) uses their clinic.

Bio

[Karen99]

I lived in your neck of the woods for 12 years.  I will PM you with an incredible neurologist just down the mountain in CC.  He diagnosed me and is brilliant.

You may need to go to UCSF if your case is particularly perplexing, but this neuro may be able to help you right away.  I have heard many good things about UCSF.  

[raekay35]

bump