Waiting for the MRI to be done while being extremely fatigue

I am a new member to this community. I would first thank you for all people on this community to share your feelings and help.  I don't know where to start, but the title of the thread summarized my status. Please share your support and  suggestions. Thank you very much.

Several specific questions that I am having are:
1. How long it takes to diagnose after the onset of the symptoms. I have been having fatigue, frequent urination, few bowel movement, joint pain, back pain and muscle pain for one week starting Aug-5-2011. But the MRI and Lumber Puncture is scheduled Aug-18-2011. And my physician said my next appointment will be at the end of September when the MRI and LP results come out. I am just wondering does it usually take this long for these tests?

2. Is it dangerous for me to continue living with this fatigue without having any medication, because of the waiting for the MRI and LP.

3. What do you think I should do?

4. Does spinal cord problem cause or trigger MS? When I search for MS and spinal cord on the internet, most says MS cause spinal cord problem. However, none mentioned spinal cord problem could cause or trigger MS.


I would like to describe a little bit about my symptoms and history.

I was born in 1978, male. I was very healthy and seldom went to see doctor and took medicines until July 2009.

In July 2009, I went to Six Flag. I was kicked extremely hard on my back while sliding into the water. More specifically, I slide down into the water and a teenager followed me and kicked really hard on my back (I think the water preventing me from going forward makes the kick even worse). I felt that it was my spinal cord that was kicked. I felt back pain for one day but it went away.

Several days following the "spinal cord kick" in July 2009, I started feeling headache on right side and difficult to sleep. I went to see a doctor when it did not go away after two weeks. I was prescribed Naproxon. I took it and the next day I had a minor degree of facial palsy on right side. I did MRI test, which showed OK. I was prescribed, as far as I can remember, Prednisone (small dosage, 10mg one or twice daily, I don't remember) for a week. Did not feel any side effect during or after the medicine. The facial palsy and the headache went away. The doctor said it is Bell's Palsy.

Fast forward two years later on July-5-2011, I started feeling headache again, but on the left side. and difficult to sleep. I took Tylenol on July-12-2011 and the next day I had minor facial palsy on left side. The doctor ordered MRI and referred me to a neurological specialist. I had facial inflammation, though it did last more than one day. The facial palsy symptom also gradually went away 95%.

On July-21-2011, I went to see the specialist who checked me and then ordered another two MRI (brain and bilateral) and said she wants the MRI to be very specific so I have to do the MRI again (which will be on Aug-18-2011). I was prescribed Prednisone (starting with 50mg for three days, gradually reduce the dosage down to 10mg, once daily in AM, totally for 15 days) and also Naproxon 50mg twice daily.

Started taking both medicine since July-26-2011. Meanwhile, the other side of my head also started having headache.  Half way though the medicine, started feeling problem of thinking and concentration. Two-third way through the medicine, started having very frequent urination, and difficulty of bowel movement, extremely weak, and  frequent heart beat, and sweat.

For the whole week from Aug-05-2011 to now, I feels weak most of the day, also feel sometimes joint pain, sometimes back pain, sometimes cold legs. Still very few bowel movement, and frequent urination every 30minutes to 1 hour during the day. Actually went to see the specialist this week on Aug-09-2011. I told her all these MS-type of symptoms I am having. She ordered Lumbar Puncture and an MRI on spinal cord, which will be on Aug-19-2011 or later. However, she seemed hurry and didn't tell me anything to do about my fatigue, urination or bowel movement problem. Just said she is not gonna prescribe any medicine until the results come and our next appointment, which is 50 days from now on. I am worried what I am going to live during these days.

I appreciate your reading it. Thank you very much.

Denzel
Aug-12-2011

[sllowe]

Hi Denzel,

Welcome. While the MRI and LP are just around the corner, a diagnosis may not be. I am surprised to hear an LP is being ordered w/out the results of the MRI first. This is something I'd not have signed onto during my workup.

The headaches you describe should be concerning to your doctor, and I hope the MRIs do help identify what could potentially be going on.

I do not feel fatigue is dangerous if not treated unless you are in a situation where you will cause harm to yourself, or others i.e, driving or something.

The doctor really needs to move fwd with getting to the bottom of these headaches, and the partial palsy. Also, please call the doc straight away and describe what you did here to us about the ache on the other side, frequent urination, etc.  Even though it was not addressed before, you really need to address this again w/the doc.

Thanks for joining us,
-Shell

[LisaJF]

Welcome to the forums.

I'm sorry to hear of your ongoing symptoms over the years.  This must have been very scarey for you.

MS diagnosis as Shelly said can be quick or it can take a long time (sometimes years) for some people.

After your MRI (which should be your first test prior to the LP and of brain/cervical and thoracic spine), you can get the results the next day (normally), but if they are backed up, at least 3 days and you can go to the imaging center and ask for a copy of the report. Do not feel odd to ask for something that is rightfully yours.  

Results from the LP can take awhile.  Mine however, took only 2 days.  I dont know how that is possible since everyone else who had the LP with the IEF technique took much longer.  I suppose it depends on where they send it out? I'm not sure.

Fatigue is awful to deal with, but again, as Shelly says, as long as it does not cause harm to you or to others (ie: driving a car, operating heavy machinery, etc), then you'll be fine.

I find it hard that the Neurologist did not address the issues of urinary frequency, constipation, etc.  Those are every day things that we have to deal with and she could have referred you to a Urologist and told you what you can do for your constipation (awfully uncomfortable -- I know).

Let us know how things go with you and again welcome to the forums.

Lisa

[tingletingle]

Hi Denzel,

A very special greeting to you, fellow brother in arms. It sounds like your going through heaps but the great thing is that you've found the comfort and support of the many people here.

It is a life changing experience that you are going through but hopefully you can be comforted to know that so many others have experienced similar symptoms and lived to tell the tale.

Impossible to tell what you've got but rest up, try not to read too many scary stories on the internet and then start to project these 'what if scenarios' on to your own life. The symptoms are weird but hopefully soon you may get to a point like me when you go okay that feels weird but I'm still okay. If it is MS the great thing to know is that 99% it won't kill you.

So try to relax, as impossibly hard as that sounds. Listen respectfully to all family and friends who have all manner of well meaning suggestions but not usually the best advice.

Take it one day, one test at a time and you will sail through. And of course let us all know how you get on.

Blessings
Alex

[denzel_1980]

Dear Shell, Lisa and Alex:
Thank you very much for spending your time and energy listening to me and talking to me. Thank you for answering my questions. Also thank you for your encouragement.

I have another question, how do you fight against constipation if you experienced the symptom caused by MS. For the past two weeks, I have extremely reduced bowel movement: just a tiny little bit at best. My body just do not have the feeling of doing it. I have tried some high fiber food and also drinking a lot of water, I also tried to walk more. but it does not seem to help. Please let me know if you have any suggestion.

Thank you,
Denzel

[tingletingle]

My backside and a bit of my bowel went numb for a couple of weeks in May. This was something very unusual to say the least and while I was in hospital for a week the nurses kept asking me 'have you moved your bowels' to which I would always reply no.

The thing that worked for me, after about 2 hours, was a glycerine suppository. When it was prescribed I just happened to have a very young trainee nurse taking my BP and vital etc and I looked at her with absolute dread and embarrassment at the prospect of what this innocent young lady was going to have to do to me. Fortunately, the senior nurse intervened and sent me to the bathroom to administer by myself .

Hope you find some relief sooooooooooon!

Blessings
Alex