I've been in bed about 80% of my day for the past month due to chronic pain in my left buttock and leg. I just saw a PCP for the first time in years (I'm pretty healthy, generally) and had to twist his arm to send me to orthopedic surgery instead of putting me on the physical therapy route (I practice yoga when I can get there these days; neither that nor chiropractor has permanently resolved the pain, although it gives temporary relief (20 to 30 minutes). Getting to the hospital itself is a painful and laborious thing, and to have to make the painful trek out there several times so someone can move my leg around seems ridiculous at this point. So I have an appt with an orthopedic surgery next month, and I hope to get an MRI to find out whether I have a herniated disk.
HOWEVER, I also have many symptoms of MS (this leg pain may be another symptom). Is there a way to make sure that my MRI can be checked for MS symptoms as well?
Here are my symptoms:
tingling in left hand when peeing (intermittent, lifelong)
after walking for 15 minutes or more, at rest, electric shock sensations throughout both legs
early 20s partial paralysis (couldn’t stand up, no pain though)
early 20s inability to urinate or have bowel movements (one month, unexplained; was schedule for testing for MS but did not complete tests for complicated reasons)
frequent UTIs and constipation
left leg goes numb (front of thigh, about once a year), dead, like a novacaine shot
sometimes see stars (not associated with sudden movement)
short-lived “blank” sensation, not quite dizzyness, like a brain fart, somewhat pleasant
restless legs at night (intermittent, lifelong)
cold feet (recent development)
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I just feel so often like my concerns are dismissed by doctors. How can I make sure I'm checked for these MS symptoms without jumping through a million senseless hoops?
Thanks for your reply!