Aa
My Neurology Appt TODAY!!!
Well, I have my neurology appt. today at 11am. I am kind of nervous. I wrote down all my symptoms on a piece of paper so I don't forget anything.
I told my husband last night that I was nervous for today and he asked me why. I said because I am afraid that he is just going to write me off like everyone else. He told me to stand my ground and insist that he help me. I told him it's not that easy. But I am going to insist that he look into my problems and not just write me off.
I really hope he is a good neuro. even though he isn't a MS specialist. I just want to get my MRI's and if I have to a LP. If he doesn't, then I guess I am headed 1/2 way across the state to a MS specialist, since there doesn't seem to be any close to me.
I hope that I can get some answers before my husband leaves on Sept 12th. I know it's basically impossible to move that fast in this case, but I am crossing my fingers anyway.
I got some blood drawn yesterday to check for low B12, Lyme and a few other things. So I'm on my way to rule out things.
I'll post again after my appointment, probably to cry to all of you because he told me I am crazy or something. Wish me luck and send prayers!
Victoria
I told my husband last night that I was nervous for today and he asked me why. I said because I am afraid that he is just going to write me off like everyone else. He told me to stand my ground and insist that he help me. I told him it's not that easy. But I am going to insist that he look into my problems and not just write me off.
I really hope he is a good neuro. even though he isn't a MS specialist. I just want to get my MRI's and if I have to a LP. If he doesn't, then I guess I am headed 1/2 way across the state to a MS specialist, since there doesn't seem to be any close to me.
I hope that I can get some answers before my husband leaves on Sept 12th. I know it's basically impossible to move that fast in this case, but I am crossing my fingers anyway.
I got some blood drawn yesterday to check for low B12, Lyme and a few other things. So I'm on my way to rule out things.
I'll post again after my appointment, probably to cry to all of you because he told me I am crazy or something. Wish me luck and send prayers!
Victoria
wow, victoria, that is awesome!
i had to laugh when i read the first bit of your post, because exactly what you were afraid of, is exactly what happened to me, yesterday!
i was told anxiety, but nonetheless, she ordered an mri for my back/brain as she was concerned about one thing, the band of tightness i've been having.
good for you, i'm sure you presented yourself well and how fabulous to find a doc. who is together in this with you!!!
yayyyyy!!!
i had to laugh when i read the first bit of your post, because exactly what you were afraid of, is exactly what happened to me, yesterday!
i was told anxiety, but nonetheless, she ordered an mri for my back/brain as she was concerned about one thing, the band of tightness i've been having.
good for you, i'm sure you presented yourself well and how fabulous to find a doc. who is together in this with you!!!
yayyyyy!!!
Oh, Goodness me!!! You found a doctor that LISTENED to you carefully, LOOKED at you carefully, and THOUGHT about what he was learning. You found a jewel. Also one that knows how imperfect the tools of diagnosis are in MS.
Hearing my diagnosis was indeed a woohoo! moment for me. I knew I had it and had been shabbily treated previously. A month later I was less enthralled, but the validation and the name of my enemy were huge for me.
Please keep us informed and ask any questions you need to.
Quix
Hearing my diagnosis was indeed a woohoo! moment for me. I knew I had it and had been shabbily treated previously. A month later I was less enthralled, but the validation and the name of my enemy were huge for me.
Please keep us informed and ask any questions you need to.
Quix
I have been struggling with this stuff for nearly 10 years. It started when I was in middle school, but my dad wasn't to keen with us going to the doctor and spending lots of money on tests when he thought we just had a headache or girly problems.
Finally after high school, well when I finally got a job that would give me insurance, when I was 20. I was able to go to the doctor for things like; numbness, pain in my limbs, blurred vision, double vision, spasms, headaches, bowel problems, balance issues and a feeling like I put my cell phone in my head and it was stuck on vibrate.
Recently, in the past 4 months I've had pain/numbness/tingling in my left side of the body. Feeling like I was walking on stones and it hurt like heck to walk around. Cloudy mind and a buzzing in my head. Weakness and fatigue.
I am not hoping it is MS, I am hoping that it is something simple. My CBC, B12 and other blood tests all came back normal. I have been fighting to get some answers for a very long time. So I'm at the point now where I just want a diagnosis, I don't care what it is, I just want to find out what it is so we can start treating it.
Thank you all for your support, answers and suggestions!!
Victoria
Finally after high school, well when I finally got a job that would give me insurance, when I was 20. I was able to go to the doctor for things like; numbness, pain in my limbs, blurred vision, double vision, spasms, headaches, bowel problems, balance issues and a feeling like I put my cell phone in my head and it was stuck on vibrate.
Recently, in the past 4 months I've had pain/numbness/tingling in my left side of the body. Feeling like I was walking on stones and it hurt like heck to walk around. Cloudy mind and a buzzing in my head. Weakness and fatigue.
I am not hoping it is MS, I am hoping that it is something simple. My CBC, B12 and other blood tests all came back normal. I have been fighting to get some answers for a very long time. So I'm at the point now where I just want a diagnosis, I don't care what it is, I just want to find out what it is so we can start treating it.
Thank you all for your support, answers and suggestions!!
Victoria
I'm glad that your first visit with this neurologist went well. I have no idea how long you've experienced your symptoms or what they are, but compared to most of the stories on this forum, it seems like you're a lot better off than most. If there were ever a fairy tale story of being diagnoses with a neurological condition, it seems like this is it.
The fact that your doctor outright said you have three worrisome symptoms (all classically MS at that) is a bit strange to me because most doctors, regardless of specialty, don't disclose too much of their initial thoughts until they have done test like the MRI, EMG and lots of blood tests. Then again, like I said, I don't know your diagnosis journey or how long you've been in limbo.
This all being said, however, I have to agree with Lulu and push the point that while it -is- excited to be heard, feel taken care and maybe even finally get a diagnosis, having MS isn't really a "woohoo" moment for most people. If you get diagnosed, that's merely the beginning of a long journey and a struggle for some. This doesn't mean to say that it's a "doomed" diagnosis because leaps and bounds are being made every day, but just try not to get ahead of yourself. We're here to catch you if you stumble, though, but it's probably best to not stand with your eyes closed if you fall over. ;)
-treebranches
The fact that your doctor outright said you have three worrisome symptoms (all classically MS at that) is a bit strange to me because most doctors, regardless of specialty, don't disclose too much of their initial thoughts until they have done test like the MRI, EMG and lots of blood tests. Then again, like I said, I don't know your diagnosis journey or how long you've been in limbo.
This all being said, however, I have to agree with Lulu and push the point that while it -is- excited to be heard, feel taken care and maybe even finally get a diagnosis, having MS isn't really a "woohoo" moment for most people. If you get diagnosed, that's merely the beginning of a long journey and a struggle for some. This doesn't mean to say that it's a "doomed" diagnosis because leaps and bounds are being made every day, but just try not to get ahead of yourself. We're here to catch you if you stumble, though, but it's probably best to not stand with your eyes closed if you fall over. ;)
-treebranches
I am pleasantly surprised by this doctor. He seems like a one of a kind so far. He listened to each and every one of my symptoms. He asked questions and listened to my answers.
He then went through the whole neurological exam. Testing my reflexes, motor skills, eyes and watched me walk. He said that there are 3 worrisome symptoms. That when he rolls that sharp object on the bottom of my foot my toes flex upwards each time. He did that like 6 times on each foot. Then when I held my arms out in front of me and stood with my feet together and closed my eyes I fell over, twice. And the fact that it hurts when I put my neck down, causes a lightning strike down my back and to my legs.
He is sending me for a MRI of my brain and cervical spine. They said hopefully I can get in today, but if not it will probably be Thursday.
He also said "sounds like MS", he said it may not be though. He also said that even if the MRI's come back normal we can do a LP and even if that comes back normal "it doesn't mean you don't have it". He seems to rely a lot of my symptoms and not so focused on the tests. Although he did say "sounds like MS". Woot!!
I'm really hoping it will be today!!! OH, I'm so relieved that he believed everything I said and didn't discount anything.
Victoria
He then went through the whole neurological exam. Testing my reflexes, motor skills, eyes and watched me walk. He said that there are 3 worrisome symptoms. That when he rolls that sharp object on the bottom of my foot my toes flex upwards each time. He did that like 6 times on each foot. Then when I held my arms out in front of me and stood with my feet together and closed my eyes I fell over, twice. And the fact that it hurts when I put my neck down, causes a lightning strike down my back and to my legs.
He is sending me for a MRI of my brain and cervical spine. They said hopefully I can get in today, but if not it will probably be Thursday.
He also said "sounds like MS", he said it may not be though. He also said that even if the MRI's come back normal we can do a LP and even if that comes back normal "it doesn't mean you don't have it". He seems to rely a lot of my symptoms and not so focused on the tests. Although he did say "sounds like MS". Woot!!
I'm really hoping it will be today!!! OH, I'm so relieved that he believed everything I said and didn't discount anything.
Victoria
Good Luck,
Stand your ground, explain everything that is going on. Like Lulu said don't mention that you think it might be MS because then they will more than likely blow it off.
Be persistant in what you want. That is what you have to do with most neoros.
I wasn't persistant at first and i am now into my 2nd year of seeing him and still undiagnosed. But I have learned to be persistant.
The last thing I want is to be diagnosed with MS but at least I would have a diagnosis. The not knowing is the part that bothers me the most.
Good luck and keep us informed
Paula
Stand your ground, explain everything that is going on. Like Lulu said don't mention that you think it might be MS because then they will more than likely blow it off.
Be persistant in what you want. That is what you have to do with most neoros.
I wasn't persistant at first and i am now into my 2nd year of seeing him and still undiagnosed. But I have learned to be persistant.
The last thing I want is to be diagnosed with MS but at least I would have a diagnosis. The not knowing is the part that bothers me the most.
Good luck and keep us informed
Paula
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
