Embarrassed to even mention this

[essdipity]

Recently I've been having a tiny new symptom. A patch on the arch of my right foot is tingly, with pins and needles. Doesn't hurt at all, doesn't even bother me much, it's just strange. It's definitely a paresthesia kind of thing. Wasn't there one day, was there the next.

I guess technically this qualifies as a relapse, but that sounds bizarre, considering how minor it is. The last real new symptom started this past April, and that was a significant increase in right-sided weakness, especially hip flexors. In July my neuro confirmed this and said he would still keep me on Avonex, though he was somewhat concerned.

I can't see any reason to report this new little thing to my neuro, but am wondering how others would handle this. In the normal course of events I won't see him for quite a few months, and I can tell him then, if need be.

What are your thoughts?

ess

[Nancy T]

I'm sure that doctors' reactions to such things depend on whether you're diagnosed.

If you're diagnosed, the symptom is meaningful and doctors want to know about it.

If you're not diagnosed, like me, the doctors consider such symptoms meaningless (and more meaningless the more you have of them).

(Ess, I know this doesn't answer your question, and I don't mean to be flippant; I just thought it curious how other people's experience with reporting minor symptoms is so different from mine!)

[HVAC]

I only call if I think there is something that can be done but that is just me.

Alex

[rendean]

HI Ess,
I , too, have a symptom that doesn't really matter much in everyday living but does pose some interesting relief techniques. The skin just under my left toe's first joint , itches like crazy. Of , scratching doesn't help and taking of my shoe at a social event and rubbing it is  not very lady-like.  

I did ask my neuro about reporting such symptoms. He does want to know about them and asked me to keep a list between check-ups unless the symptom was too bothersome or affected everyday living.

So, I guess I'm leaning towards Jen 's view but all of the nurses at my neuro would have zero problem with adding it to my chart.

Clear as mud,
Ren

[Deb61]

Hi Ess.  I've had the same question for a long time.  What Jenn says resonates with me, and I think I've finally put things together!  Thanks, Jenn!  I think that's how I'm going to approach these minor symptoms.  I have been mostly ignoring the symptoms, and when I'd see the neurologist, I'd telll him about them.  

My neuro seems pretty good and weeding through things and getting to what's important, but it does take up my appointment time with an explaination.  My neurologist likes to explain why that symptom occurs, but it never has had an effect on the treatment.  He looks at the big picture and the major symptoms.  

When I told him I was depressed and very fatigued, he was right on that.  He saw this as a major symptom.  Same with the stabbing facial pain (diagnosed as TN).  If I mentioned a minor problem without any other minor problems or fatigue, he listened to me, but I would get a lengthy explaination as to why this happens, and that is that (no new medicines).  What it amounted to was a waste of my precious time with my neuro (he didn't tell me anything I didn't know already).  

It's a different story when several minor symptoms present themselves, or you're really fatigued.  It would also be different for someone in limbo trying to get a diagnosis.  These new minor smptoms should be documented.

That's my plan!  Thanks Jenn, and thanks Ess for posting the question!

[ashleyPT]

Can you just call the office and report it to the nurse so it's in your chart in case things start piling up.  Even though we distinguish between symptoms based on severity for our everyday lives, if a doctor is determining the effectiveness of a treatment plan then the result of the flare shouldn't really matter.

[jensequitur]

I have frequent small symptoms like you describe.  The last time was when I kept having these cold sensations on the right side of my face.  Qualified as a flare, but I was doing okay, aside from a little fatigue.

Mostly I don't bother unless it's affecting my ability to work 8 hours a day.  As far as I can tell, the steroids don't do anything but help you heal faster.