Update and need advice

[mathgirl24]

I've posted several times on here but here is my background:

tingling/numbness in left hand/arm and left foot/leg
intermittent double vision
some balance issues especially if it is dark
positive Babinski on left foot
normal MRI
all labs normal (no deficiencies or other diseases found)

I recently went for a EMG and NCV and those both came out normal.  The doctor tested by left arm and hand since that's where most of the numbness is.

Basically the neurologist wants me to come back in 6 months to see how I am at that point.  I know other have said that a wait and see approach does not mean that they don't take me seriously but it sure feels that way!  

I guess I just don't know what to think or feel at this point.  Limbo land really *****!  As far as symptoms, I feel better right now.  but I've had this happen before.  I'll have a relapse or what ever you want to call it for a few weeks and then it will mostly go away and I will feel fine.  So in the past I've just dismissed it.  But when it came back this time it was worse and now my left hand is still somewhat numb.  I just want to know what is wrong with me even though I feel fine right now.  I have a feeling it will come back again.

Any advice on how to deal with limbo land?

[mathgirl24]

Thank you both for your replies!  I'm in great shape which is why I partly think the neurologist doesn't really take it seriously.  Maybe for most people my strength and everything is normal but for me I can feel the differences in how my body performs during a hard work out and just on a daily basis.

I'm a runner.  I have been training for my first marathon. But I actually was having problems during the summer before the really intense training started.  So some may think that it is just because I'm stressed or training hard.  But most of the time that I have symptoms is when I am not stressed and/or not training as hard.  So I don't feel like that theory holds up.

My eating habits aren't perfect but I try my best to eat a balanced diet.  I get enough sleep too.  And actually I am less tired now than I was when I had all the symptoms going on.  During the worst of it, I couldn't make it through the day with out a 2 hour nap.

As of right now, I don't have any symptoms that are bad enough to be treated.  And some of the symptoms, like the numbness in my hand can't really be treated anyway.

Part of it is when I feel good like right now, it makes me start to think maybe I am just crazy the symptoms were all in my head.  But since they have occurred more than once now, I feel like there is something going on.  But there's still that doubt there since right now I feel good.

[aspen2]

I'm in the same boat except my weakness issue is right side, and I've had a few other symptoms at various times.    All I can say is ... Go out and live life now.  It's hard to move past the "waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop" feeling, however I encourage you to do your best.

It's easy to let the worry spill over into those periods you are feeling fine.  What helped me was to try to be proactive ... Start exercising, clean up your diet, do whatever you can to improve your general health.

I also have a blog with some posts dedicated to what you are asking.  The link is in my profile.  I've been living in limbo for 2.5+ years now.

[kwarendorf]

Hi MG -

There is no smoking gun for diagnosing MS. As a result the diagnosis is based on an accumulation of evidence. Unfortunately the evidence has to accumulate over time.

There is no reason that your symptoms can't be treated while you wait though.

Kyle