diagnoses and treatments still ongoing

[wishforchange]

People on this forum have been great to me and I hope you don't mind me asking more questions.  I saw orthopedic doctor and apart from ordering hip MRI he wants to give me some injection into my hips to help with the pain.  He said there is bursitus there.  Apparently the injection is steroid which worried me but he said as it goes into the muscle it will not affect my bones. Anyone had or know of this injection and had good or bad results?  Nothing being done until all the MRI results in - got a date in July, but will consider anything which helps my pain and mobility.
Also doctor wants my parathyroid checked via blood tests.  Again, anyone know about this?  Have a close relative who had  thyroid disease and don't know if this is hereditary.  Can it cause hip and leg weakness and pain?  Seeing neurologist end of June and will talk about the non-existent MRI results of brain and spine.  No contrast was used so I don't know if this is a factor.  I've been told there are no problems, my symptoms say otherwise.  More recently am beginning to get tingling more and more in legs.  For many months this was mainly around the knees but is more widespread now.  Lower back so stiff I can't sit up unless I'm on my side.  Bladder worsenening .  Once I get a handle on the origin of all this I can move forward.  I thought vitamin d supplements would be the answer.  My levels were very low, but the problems seem to carry on.  Still have it in my mind that there is an answer and also a solution.  I know this is an MS forum and I am not presenting with even suspected MS, so I do feel in awe of the support you are giving me here.  MS hasn't been ruled out, just never suggested, and from reading other's symptoms I don't think it's the route I am heading for.  But who knows?  As with many people here, any diagnosis is preferable to none.  Without a handle on the cause of what's going on, it's hard to know how to proceed.  Bodies are so complex.  Neurology is so complex, as are hormones.  I suppose none of us can know 100% what is going on.  Was just reading the post from the 20 year old with a cane.  It was such a good question.  I have many times considered a stick as I fall too often, but for some reason just think I would have to use the conventional old wooden ones.  May one day I'll get a retractable pretty one that I can hide in my bag, ready to take out and use just when I really need it.  If such a device exists.  There have been times I've walked down the streets holding onto railings to support myself.  That is far more embarrassing than some stick.  Have to accept that things have got to that stage, for now.  Must be so hard to go through that at 20 though.  People here have so much to deal with.  Thank you all who answered my other posts for your support.

[wishforchange]

Thanks for comments and replies and messages, they are all really helpful.  6-paq I also wondered why they couldn't just give me the shot there and then, but apparently they can't do anything until the MRI results are in, as they have to ensure there is not some other pathology going on.  Seems people here have had mixed results with these injections.  Am always reluctant to have jabs, but there comes a point where the pain is so bad you'll agree to almost anything.  Regarding cauda equina syndrome, this has been raised before, but kept getting told by doctors that it was something that develops quickly over a few hours, rather than chronic.  I do wonder though if it is something that can be chronic and then reach a crisis point and become acute.  Something is messing with my bladder though, and there is this relentless worsening of all the problems.  Although one neurologist acknowledges this, there is this culture in medicine of not intervening until things reach a dramatically bad stage.  I don't want to be reassured that this or that is not that bad.  I don't want anything to become that bad.  Two years ago I was walking normally, now I'm not.  Two years ago I could go to the bathroom without some surgical appliance, now I cannot.  Two years ago I only took painkillers on occassion.  Now every day is a mixture of morphine and dihydrocodeine and diazepam and tramadol and codeine and paracetamol and ibuprofen, in handfuls.  Thing are for me bad enough.  Here I am considering buying myself a walking stick, how many times do I have to fall downstairs and into shop shelves before some doctor gets round to suggesting it?  
LLWB I don't know what test you are referring to, but I know I don't have rheumatoid arthritis.  Lupus has been suggested a few times but the bloods always come back normal.  Remember as a teenager I had the butterfly rash on my face and Raynaud's, so I do wonder about lupus.  There are specialists here, but the problem is that without positive blood tests I wouldn't get a referral.  Will have the parathyroid and calcium tests next week.  Apologies if I sound angry, the suggestions here are great, am just generally fed up with it all.  
Don't know if we have Costco in UK?  Have decided I will get a folding stick though.  Don't have to use it near home or where I know people, just will give me the freedom to stop making a scene when I stumble around.  Intend to use it until I get better, then give it to charity.  Can't cope with thinking this is never going to improve, and as yet have not had such a diagnosis.
The hip MRI is going to be with contrast.  When I see the neurologist in a few weeks will ask why this wasn't used on my brain and upper back?  Spent an hour in that horrible machine with my head in a cage and it seems it was for nothing.    I want to see the images for myself, get a proper report, and if the quality is not good enough, ask why they wasted their money, and my time.  
Hope you're all doing okay.  Will let you know if I have the injection and if it works, but it won't be until end of July.  MRI mid July and takes two weeks for the report to get done.  British NHS...Wish I lived in America, seems you get much quicker and better healthcare, but then again you have to pay for it I suppose.  But you do seem to have better choice about who you see.
Have a great weekend.  We have a national holiday here Monday.  Lots of events going on everywhere so intend to enjoy myself!

[LLWB]

I have first hand experience of cortisone shots in both my shoulders, and my left hip for bursitis. Hurts like the devil going in, one of the more painful shots I've had.except for the one in the bottom of my foot to take off a cyst, almost couldn't take that one. But the blessed relief the next day was wonderful. The shots made me nauseous. Shots can be given up to three times a year in the same joint. I would give it a try, it definitely helps with the pain.

It sounds like you might have some spinal issues going on, especially when you talk about being stiff.There is a blood test for one type of arthritis, brain far*, can't remember which one. You might need MRI's of your spinal column. A place to start anyway. Hope this helps you some.

Maggie

[amas]

Hi.  Perhaps your doctor is referring to a cortisone shot for the bursitis.  I've had it done a few times in my foot due to a damaged nerve.  It hurt a lot and did not help and I ended up having surgery and removing the nerve. I also have bursitis in my hip and might consider trying a shot and see if it helps me with this  problem. I've had almost daily pain for 6 years. My mother had cortisone shots several times in her knee due to arthritic pain and it helped her a little each time.  As for the parathyroid and the thyroid connection - I believe these are two seperate things.  They aren't related and do different things in the body.  I'm not positvie but you may want to google it.  Anamaria

[6-paq]

I'm glad that your orthopedic doc is offering some pain relief for you.  I have no experience with the injections, but my mom had injections in the knees.  It helped for a period of time, but the pain is now back.   Her option is surgery and she doesn't want to do that, so she deals with the pain.

Can't you have your injection scheduled before July?  That seems like a long time to wait for the pain relief.

Have you had an MRI of your lumbar spine?  Your symptoms sound like they could also have a lumbar spine factor.    I was reading once about Cauda equina syndrome.  I know this is probably way off base and don't know the exact symptoms, but has that been looked at?

As far as a cane, I picked up one for my mom that is collapsible.  It folds up for easy storage.  Nice looking one.  I got it at Costco, but it is sold many places.

Not sure on the parathyroid and thyroid stuff.  I did have my TSH tested a few times as some of my Sx are similar to a thyroid deficiency.  I think that's good that they are looking at different angles for you.

I do empathize with you.  The human body is very complex.  The same symptoms can have numerous causes.  There is an answer and a solution for you.  Figuring it all out is just so frustrating though.  

Did you have a visit with a PCP recently or was that the appointment with your ortho doc?

Take care, Pat

[Deb61]

I missed a point.  Yes, the contrast makes a difference.  Also, the strength of the magnets on the machine make a difference, too.  My first MRI was negative because it was done on a weak MRI machine (open) with no contrast.  

You may want to look at the Health Pages (top right hand corner of this page) and click on anything dealing with MRI's.  One you may look at is, "What is the difference between old and new MRI's?"

[Deb61]

You are such a sweet person!  I like the support on this forum, too.  There are some awesome people in this group.

As far as the injection with the steroid.  I personally haven't had a steroid injection in a long time.  My sister, who has MS, gets them often.  They work well for her.  She'll be pain free for a couple of months; however, she does have soreness in the area after the shot.  I would take some Alieve or something like that to help with trying to sleep the night after you get your shot.  

It's incredibly frustrating being in a spot where you don't know what is wrong with you.  You know something significant is wrong, but nothing really can be done to stop the problem until you figure out what it is.  I lived in that spot for years.  Bodies are so complex--you're right!  There are so many things that can give you symptoms like MS.  However, if you're are falling down and are needing a cane, this is a huge red flag that is screaming out that you have a neurological problem.  

I'm sorry about the knuckle-heads that didn't give you the time of day on your radiological report for your MRI.  You deserve a closer look, with the symptoms that you have.

Take care,
Deb