Emg was normal, now what?

[toofrustrated]

I'm not sure where to go next.  I've been poked and prodded and zapped more than I care to think about.  EVERY test has come back normal.  My neurologist told me to come back again in 3-6 months.  That's it??!!  
She also suggested I try some medication trials.  I'm not comfortable with med trials if 'they' have no idea what they're treating.  Even if there was a medication to make my symptoms subside, I still need an answer to what's causing my symptoms to begin with.
I've had an MRI with contrast, many many blood tests, and an EMG.  The only thing that showed up at all was an elevated CRP test.  I don't even know what to ask at this point.  

[cathydefe]

what r your symptons

[HVAC]

Coming back in 3-6 months is normal for a Neurologist. They like to track you over time. When I changed Neurologists they did not take the word of other Neurologists I had to start over. I had abnormal MRIs and Emgs and it still took two years for a diagnosis.

I would treat symptoms before I get an answer. The truth is they do not even understand MS. I thought I will be diagnosed and then they will jump in and fix everything. Nothing changed in my treatment after diagnosis as far as the Neurologist was concerned except going on Copaxone. I see my MS Specialist every 16 months. I use to see him every six month before diagnosis.

My Primary Care and my pain clinic treat my symptoms. He sent me to the pain clinic. It is the same with my Cancer. They do surgery and chemo on me at the Cancer Hospital but all my symptoms are treated by my Primary Care and the Pain Clinic. Medicine is so specialized. I had my first Neurological Hospitalization in 1965 and I was diagnosed in 2009. I saw a lot of Neurologists. It took years to be diagnosed with Cancer as well.

Look at the health pages at the bottom right of the screen there is a wealth of information.

Neurologist seldom diagnose MS quickly. They have to rule everything else at. There are a lot of MS Mimics. The Neurological exam they do in the office gives them the most information even more than MRIs. The MRIs are mostly for the insurance to allow a diagnosis they will not take a Neurologists word for it. Neurologist like to watch people over time like months and years. It is frustrating.

It is important to treat symptoms before a diagnosis. Otherwise you suffer needlessly while you wait.

Drug trials can be good. I am in one for cancer. I was lucky enough to be getting the study drug. I would not be here without this drug which other cancer patients can't get because it is not on the market. It has to be your call.

Once I understood how Neurologist thought I did not feel they were blowing me off. You let them do there thing then you ask questions. Ask what they found when they do your reflexes etc. They don't think to tell you. Leave all emotion out of it, especially anger or annoyance they are brainiacs they don't do emotion. Cancer Doctors are even worse with emotion. It is not MS until they are sure it MS. I got statements like you will be diagnosed with MS someday. That really confused me. I thought I either have MS or I don't. I nearly walked away because it was such a long process.

Alex

[PastorDan]

Sounds altogether too familiar.  I've been pedaling that same tricycle for over five years.  I wish I had something concrete to share.  You might look up the Health Page we wrote on "Acceptance" several years back.  I haven't read it myself in a long time.

I'll pray that you find a credible diagnosis, if your symptoms won't simply disappear totally and permanently altogether.