ER trip

[Quixotic1]

I'm so glad to hear from you.  Answer in the morning.  Guillain Barre would have been ruled out with normal NCV's.  The high protein is expected in MS, CIDP, Guillain-Barre, and several other things.  Except the is ONE thing that CANNOT cause a high CSF protein level.  Anxiety and personality disorders do not casue this.  Imagine that!  

It wasn't really high and some docs will discount it as being borderline.  He clearly took you seriously.  Chalk one up for getting this episode documented.  That's a step in the right direction.

Sleep well, stay hydrated.  I hope you don't get a headache.  You'll likely need another LP.

Love, Quix

I decided (unanimously) to go to the ER to document my wobbly walk.  Once there, everyone in the Detroit Metro area decided to get a head start on Friday the 13th.  Someone involved in a domestic squabble even punched a doctor, which is a felony, I am told.  I was there six hours, which is very unusual for the fine hospital I went to.

I think I'm glad I went.  The quirky doc I saw took my history, gave me a better neuro exam than my evil neuro ever did, and after I told him all about the upcoming psychiatrist appointment on Tuesday, blurted, "Have you ever had an LP?" I said, No.  He said, "They get a bad rap for pain, but I don't think my resident will hurt you."  He winked.

In the end, he said he was looking for a variant of Guillain-Barre.  I think that has been ruled out with the NCV, right?  Or the EMG?  Well, now it has been ruled out with the LP.  

Anyway, everything in the lumbar puncture was fine except that the protein was elevated.  It was 48.  normal range for this hospital is 15-45.  Does that mean anything?  He said he couldn't do an MS LP protocol in the ER.  It wasn't something he could order; nor could he order an MRI of my brain.  And he didn't want to irradiate me again unnecessarily with a CT of my head, which is what the protocol probably would have been.  I appreciated that.  It's 2:30 here, am going to bed.  My poor son had to come pick me up.  I'm going to thank him again and brush my teeth.

More tomorrow.

Thanks for your support!

Chris*

[Momzilla]

Thanks, Quix!  I'll chat more in the am.  Score one for the sane girls!  I really appreciate all you support.  Now get your little rear to bed.

Love,
Chris*

[Want to feel well!!!]

So glad you went to the ER!  And your son was probably more than happy to help you.  Sometimes moms need some help.

Hope you had some restful sleep.

[Nanners123]

I am glad that you went to the ER, although it sounds like your journey to proper diagnosis continues. Stay strong!

You mentioned that you went someplace in the Detroit Metro Area, I too am from that area and am curious who your neuro is and what ER you went to if you don't mind.

I am being seen out of the St. Josephs Network in Clinton Township.

N

[Momzilla]

I went to the WB-- Beaumont in Royal Oak.  They're tops.  The St. Joe network is great, too.  That's where my psychiatrist is from.  We're close!  I'll tell you that my neurologist is on the lecture circuit a lot, I've read, and teaches.  Maybe more than he treats patients.  His name is a lot like Sark Milverman.  If you switched two of the letters around, boy, I don't know which ones they could be, then you'd have his name.

I'm thinking of sending him my LP report, but it probably doesn't mean much.  I've often thought of punching him, but I'm glad to have found out it's a felony!  Tee hee!  I really appreciate your note.  

Thanks!

Take care of yourself,

Chris*

[Momzilla]

You've really been through the ringer lately, too.  I've read your posts.  Thanks so much for your note.  What a great group on this forum.  

Hang in there!

Chris*

[Nanners123]

Thanks for the info, it took me awhile to figure it out LOL!!! but I finally got it :) I thought that it was probably against protocol but did not know for sure. I hope I did not put you in an awkward position.

Take good care!!

N

[Momzilla]

I don't know if the doctor deserves to have his name (misconstrued) dragged through the mud online in this forum.  Probably not.  I am telling you I would not recommend him for symptoms we are having.  He is a pleasant person and perhaps a fine speaker.  Perhaps he misfired once.  I was joking when I said I felt like punching him.  I've never felt like punching anyone.  It's not my nature.  

I did the lumbar puncture sitting up at a table with my back arched like a cat last night. THAT was an awkward position!

[Nanners123]

LOL. I know exactly what you are saying. When I had my LP I was laying, sitting, arching, waiting etc. I was about to vomit. I took 40 minutes from when the needle was in to when he got enough fluid. The whole test from start to finish I have heard should only take 30 min. tops. Even the doc had no idea what was taking so long!!!

How long was your test?

[Momzilla]

Mine was very short -- the resident did a great job; she had done it many times before.  Beaumont is a very busy hospital, as you know.  It took only 10 minutes probably.  I feel very lucky.  The only thing that bothered me was the cramping I felt in my abdomen during the procedure.  I didn't think I was going to be able to keep still enough.  And then I had to warn them that I knew my right leg was getting crampy, but they were almost done.  

Afterward, I let loose with rubbing my leg (huge Charlie horse kind of thing) and the doctor told me to lie flat to avoid a headache.  My leg was miserable with a cramp, so I did the gentle stretching Quix and Lynn talked about while I laid there.  I was twitchy, but the LP was really smooth.  I felt really lucky.  I had a few twinges of vertigo, but I was on my period, too.  Slightest headache today.  Not worth mentioning, but you'll notice I did anyway!

I could go on and on...someone stop me!  

[T-lynn]

I am glad you went to the ER.

Royal Oak beurmont is a top hospital.Thats where I had my reconstructive back surgery done at.

The DR you speak of I know of At one point he was in an office building of the surgeon that done my back surgery.I think he done my mylogram as my surgeon had an emergency that day.

I know where clinton township is hubby worked there at one point.Now I reside in Ohio.

Now this is documented did the ER neuro have any suggestions,follow-ups or give ya names of different neuro's.

I hope your drinking lots of fluids caffine reduces the headaches.

[Momzilla]

Hi, Lynn!  Oh, my.  I feel AWFUL that I mentioned his name.  I was still in a groggy haze when I did.  

The ER doc is an ER doc. He does want me to follow up with a neuro.  I have appointments at an MS clinic on Aug 1, and also with a neurologist with 32 yrs experience (I know he treats MS pts) on Aug2.  I will ask my psychiatrist on Tuesday whom he thinks I should keep the app't with.  I haven't decided yet.

I did get a grande coffee at Starbuck's this morning before calling in sick to work.  My headache is gone, thanks.  Wasn't bad.  May not have been from the tap.

Catch up with you soon!  Take care!

C*

[T-lynn]

Don't feel aweful about mentioning his name.Evidently his lecturing tours are more of importance.

I truelly liked my back surgeon and still a yearly follow-up with him even though its a 3 hour drive now.However I did not care for this neuro,he was not real good at bed side manners.

I hope you follow up with either a new neuro or the ms specialist.