Hurry up and get here Monday !!!!

I hope to begin the next chapter of my multiple sclerosis journey this Monday ,  my last visit with the MS Dr 11/10  he advise me to read up on DMD'S.

I met the new   2010 McDonald criteria for the DX- I think he needed a little more clinical evidence to prepare battle with my insurance company to start therapy and didn't want to  label me to quickly,  God knows the local Dr were not much use.  I moved from RIS to mild CIS.

Just over three years since the first MRI, all the blood work we all have had, LP, VEP other brain waves.

So to Chicago we go this Monday..  If the drive & exam doesn't kick my butt to much I'll post the results late Monday.
It's my hope to finally start a DMD,,   and slow this MS down.


Thanks to every one over these past few years  for your support & concerns & guidance.


Johnniebear

[HVAC]

Good luck I am rooting for you.

[addicted2harleys]

I am rooting for you, too!  Sending bunches of good luck to you for Monday and fingers are crossed.  :)

Hugs,
Addi

[Lulu54]

here's hoping Monday is the day and that it is a perfect weather day to make the drive.  I'll be watching the forum for your update tomorrow... I hope the news is good, relatively speaking.

hugs, Lulu

[RazCarver]

Hope your appt goes well.

[sllowe]

Monday, Monday! It's here, it's HERE!
-shell

[Lulu54]

JB - what's the good word?

[grannyhotwheels]

Praying all went well for you...

[rendean]

So, how did everything go??????

Ren

[essdipity]

Guess you were too wiped out to fill us in yesterday, but I look forward to hearing it all as soon as you're up to it.

Go, Bear. (Notice I didn't say Bears!  I'm a Ravens fan :-)

ess

[johnniebear]

I would like to thank everyone for their response and you'd like to know how my exam went .

Yesterday on the drive home we decided to stop for a nice dinner and when we got home my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter and my wife decided to watch Dancing With the Stars,  so I watched from my chair fell asleep ( insert boring to me here)  I guess everything turn out good with dancing  DWS-    sorry for not posting last night...

Well it's sort of funny I guess,  we have the most respect for this neurologist in Chicago he is the top neurologist at the teaching facility there and when he came into the room  he apologized to me and said that they were not able to do the exam because  of my  cast  on my right foot from surgery five weeks ago.  HUH?  He explained why....


We talked probably for 15 or 20 min. with my wife and he decided it would be best to hold   off on  the DMD'S  and  repeat the  brain & spine MRI six months , he talked about from the very first MRI , the first two lesions  and later on a MRI one that is enhanced,  Dr felt their isn't any evidence of  progression on this  MRI  of the disease,  and in not way does it mean the MS is silent, sounds again like this will be a major fight with the insurance company if he proceeded at this point.

My last 3T MRI ,  brain & spine was preformed at private facility and he explained how that outside scan wasn't very thorough.

  I do feel a little bit like a rug was pulled out from under me,  I'm my own worse expert-- I was sure I fit the new McDonald criteria.
     Six brain lesions  ( one lesion enhanced)
     Two C-spine lesions
     Delayed VEP
     Sensory lost
     Cervical myelopathy
     mild clinical findings


I'm in great hands so to reiterate I will not be starting DM D's just yet .


ESS,  Raven's  will they even have a team this next year ?   :-))
             1985 Bears poster is still hanging on my wall

thanks everyone..

Johnniebear---  

[Lulu54]

WTF????!!!????

The insurance question should not be driving your health care.  Can you tell I am p'oed?  I am thoroughly bamboozled by this and have to go pace for a while and compose my thoughts.

later,
L

[sllowe]

Remind the doc that the LAST MRIs showed increased lesions! Maybe he didn't notice this? And, that THIS was the appt. not the next after this, to put you on DMDs.

Tell him you certainly understand not starting DMDs while healing from surgery. However, six months is not needed. Your care should not be dictated by your insurance, nor convo w/your wife (no disrespect to her of course - I'm sure she's just looking out for you). I'm sure not knowing what I know, I'd be the same way.

This is a strange shift, one I'm sure brings you great disappointment. It does us too :(

[Guitar_grrrl]

Sorry, Johnnie, I don't like this guy.  You have more than enough evidence to start a DMD, screwy insurance companies or not.  

I'd find someone else...just sayin'...

[johnniebear]

I guess as  a little time has passed and I'm able to reflect about yesterday's appointment -

I kinda feel like a DUFASS-  maybe I was expecting to much.. thinking I would start on
on the DMD'S-  it is a kick in pants for me..

Thanks for understanding -  kinda fighting back some strong emotions right now-  no tears
just yet- I'm keeping up a positive attitude -I don't want my wife to worry anymore than she has...


- in the 80's today here in the Midwest , so thanks from  this  hot guy today   :-))



Johnniebear --

[rendean]

HI Johnnie,
I'm with GG and Lu! Don't like this neuro ,no matter what the title is after his name and withhold treatment because of insurance?? Lame, lame lame.

Keeping you in my thoughts, hoping something good turns up SOON for you!

Ren

[supermum_ms]

I dont get it!!!!

Whats he waiting for a neon sign? I really dont get it, you fit the old criteria already, with the new criteria you've got more than enough to dx, so I dont get what he's waiting for at all!

HUGS...........JJ