don't want to appear self diagnosing

[m2mkjj]

Hi - ok, first off, I'm a nurse, often that loads me with TMI.  My doc knows I'm a nurse.  My question to all you affected, does the following sound significant enough to bring up to MD and should I tell her I am suspicious of MS?  I have a connective tissue genetic disorder that causes joint issues which complicates and may have hidden the diagnosis ....(I'm 48).  I'm not going to bore you with all the issues that may  have hidden it, but the following has me concerned:   Sudden (started mild but increased to sever over period of 12 hours) onset of what I called classic sciatic pain - severe muscle spasm in left buttock and hip and nerve pain shooting down my leg to my foot.  After 24 hrs, my left calf/foot became numb/tingly (parasthesia to my nurse mind).   Self diagnosed it as a herniated disk/pinched nerve - continued for a week with sudden onset of constipation for same week (again can be attributed to disc problem).   Went to doc on day 7 who also diagnosed a LT foot drop.  received steroids, muscle relaxers  which significantly helped the muscle knot/spasm in hip/buttock, mod to severe nerve pain cont down left leg along with the numbness/tingling.  All pain went away as suddently as it came at the 2 week mark.  But paresthesia of left foot and foot drop continues.  Last summer I had a bout of severe urination probs - extreme urgency and incontinent in pants at least 1x/day (despite crossing my legs as I walked to the bathroom!  muscle wouldn't keep it in!).    My kids were begging me to see a doc about it, but after about 2 or 3 mos it stopped (around the same time I changed my BP meds, so thought one of them may have been causing it).    Last concern I have is due to my congenital connective tissue syndrome, I am blind in one eye, severely nearsighted with astigmatism.  The left eye is my good eye.  For the last 8 years, I have required reading glasses (on top of my ocntacts)( at a far stronger prescription then I am testing at.  I self diagnosed myself with a growing cataract (which I do have in my left) as nite driving was increasingly difficult, bright lights bothered me and I was having to increase the contrast and letter size on my electronics.  But recent appt said cataract does not seeem to be extensive enough to be causing this type of functional disturbance.  I was very frusturated as I don't complain or seek med attn much, but was really hoping this could be fixed, at the exam, nerve was looked at and normal - so now since my leg numbness, foot drop Ive been reading about MS and realize some of what I have attributed to my other syndrome maybe also point to this as well.   I have always been clumsy and ungraceful, so my my lack of coordination isn't a good measure.   So...thats my story if your still reading, bless you and a few questions.    Could my optic nerve appear normal unless they are looking for MS type change?   Does this set of symptoms sound like something you would worry about?  If yes, any suggestions on getting a doc to take me seriously versus just rolling their eyes and thinking "nurses are the worse patients!!).   OR am I being silly and continue to monitor, tell my MD whenever I see her next.  Thanks in advance for any advice!  

[SarahL2491]

Well, being a nurse (and one myself) I know to take notes, good ones, when documenting symptoms.  That would lead you right into making a timeline which might help you and a doctor see what you are talking about.  

We don't have to preach to you about self diagnosis, but, even I had to SD myself and then start going to neuro's.  So I understand your frustration.  Dr's seem to hate nurses who have figured it out before they did.  Probably why it took me so long.  I told my present neuro right up front that I was a nurse.  It didn't bother him.  I knew then we were off to a good start.

So see if you can make a list of columns, one with symptoms, then one with what could cause them, and then which one shows up the most (Dx) and watch the times.  It might help.  Good brain exercise at the very least.

[NormanG22]

I would have to agree with cjldb, but then again I can only speak from personal experience.  

Over a ten year period, I had various annoying oddities of which I ignored right up to the point that MS kicked me in the face so hard that I could no longer ignore them.  MS was not in my vocabulary then, thought it was a pinched nerve, I was working overseas at the time, I thought I would come back to the states get it taken care of and be back to work in a few months.  When I was boarding the plane to leave the company for the airlines came to me to check if I was able to fly safely, and wanted to know who was flying with me to assist me as needed.  That was when I really realized how bad I was.  I had been talking with another individual while waiting to board the aircraft, he spoke up and said I was with him, if not I'm not sure they would have let me fly.  At all additional connecting flights, the airlines arranged for wheel chair service till I made it home.  

I guess what I'm trying to say, don't keep ignoring the symptoms, even as a nurse, have them checked out.

Norman  

[cjldb]

I think many of your symptoms sound "MSish". With that said I do not know anything about your other disorder that could cause the same type of symptoms.

However, I will caution you with this. I know a lady who also happens to be a nurse who had cancer and intensive chemotherapy. She dismissed all of her issues to being related to her chemo years ago. She wasn't diagnosed with MS until she was in her 50s because of the same reasons you are stating. Her MS had progressed pretty far before it was caught and she missed years that she could have been on a DMD. I think if you are concerned, you should persue it. If your doctor doesn't take you seriously,  I would find another one. Being a nurse doesn't eliminate the possibility of developing chronic conditions. JMO :) Hope it helps!