Neurology Multiple Sclerosis

[Monkie67]

I have been battling various symptoms for about 2 months. It started with aching hands with a painful sensation to touch and temperatures. Cold or hot water felt like someone was stabbing my hands with ice.  This pain moved to my whole arm,my hip, upper leg, lower leg, and feet. Never all hurting at the same time, but all were very painful and sensitive to touch and change in temperature as if they were partially numb. All mostly on my right side. Then my right eye was closing and  twitching off and on daily. I was have episodes of confusion, blurred vision, dizzeness, no coordination and memory loss. My PCP sent me to a rhematoid specialist then a neurologist. The neurologist sent me to have an MRI done and another cognition/memory test the following week to rule out MS. I had already scheduled my follow-up test with the neurologist for a month later to review the test results. He was convinced nothing probably would be found since I could still walk in heels seriously?). i had the MRI done this last Friday. At 4pm the nurse called my cell phone twice within 5 minutes between each call. The neurologist wants me to come in early next week to discuss the results. Since I paused for a long time, the nurse offered that the neurologist did not say what he wanted to see me for or the test results.  Why would I need to come in if they were negative, right? I think I have MS since I am having all the symptoms. So now to worry all weekend until Monday. I have been thinking about my future and what MS will mean in it. Am I on the right track?

[Lulu54]

Monkie, Check in when you can catch your breath and thoughts and let us know the update, ok?

-L

[Monkie67]

THANKS ALL! I have been worried all weekend. Whatever the diagnosis, I am glad this has not gone on a long long time (that I know of). Although I did go to the doctor earlier this year because I stayed exhausted all of the time.
Oh, did I mention that I found a message from the nurse on my answering machine when I got home?  My husband played it, then turned to me and asked if he needed to go with me to the doctor. So, I fortunately have my husband to go with me. But I really want my Mommy to go with me!   ;-)  Anyway, i will keep you posted on the results.

In Prayer,

Monkie

[Audrey_M]

Monkie67

Things like this always seem to pop up as the weekend nears, giving us days to think, wonder and even worry.

It would seem that something abnormal appeared on your MRI, enough so that the radiologist contacted your neuro, who then in turn contacted you. What it is, you will not know until you meet with the doc tomorrow.

Tonya and Julie gave good advice. Take some deep breaths and try to relax. We cannot change the past, we can only influence the future.

Given that this is a quick surprise in being called back to the doc's office so soon and not knowing what it might be, I would recommend that you bring someone with you to write down what is said. If you can't find someone to come with you, ask the doctor for a nurse to come into the office during your consultation and help you organize your thoughts/impression of the visit before you leave the office. For me personally, I know that if I were in your shoes, I would tend to be a bit, no, a lot, scatter brained and would not want to rely on my own memory in terms of the appointment.

I will be thinking of you tonight and tomorrow and as Julie said, many blessings to you and may you be in the right frame of mind to see them.

Sweet dreams,

Audrey

[jujuminx]

Oh my, you have been having a difficult time.  I am so sorry.  It sounds as if your doctor has some sort of news to give you but idk if it's MS.

Whether it not it is or isn't, count your blessings that you might have a diagnosis.  The alternative means months or years of symtoms with no treatments cause they don't know what you have.

Believe me I understand wishing not having anything serious. It's okay to wish that, hope for that, pray for that, cry for that, BUT that isn't going to change what you have.  At some point you will have to face your diagnosis and deal with it.

A short decade and a half ago, there were NO medicines for MS, now there are many (but we need more).  Those medicines lengthen the time between relapes and also lessen the symptoms. It's not a death sentence or even a diagnosis that means you will have significant disabilities. Everyone has a different experience with MS (if that is what you have).

So, take many deep breaths, take some short walks in mild weather, get some rest, eat well and think postive thoughts. Then go into the dr's office and keep an open mind about what your possible dx might be and mean for you.

I have apparently had MS since my late 20's (I am 48 now)  I wasn't dx until August of this year and am now in meds.  I have no symptoms and no disabilities what so ever.  My goal is the keep my relapes at least 8-10 yrs apart as they have been in the past and hopefully longer with the meds.  I am taking extremely good care of myself and thank God everyday that I finally know what has been happening to me and am able to be more proactive about it.

My dr's nurse did pretty much the same thing as far as scheduling the follow up results. And my reaction was pretty much the same as yours.  It was a surreal moment hearing the dx but it was also a relief. I had had it for a long time, my body already knew this, now it was my minds turn to know.  Knowing the truth is always the best.

Good luck to you whatever your diagnosis and keep us updated.
Many blessings to you and may you be in the right frame of mind to see them.

Julie

[tonyad]

   Hello and Welcome to the Forum :)

   I am sure it has been a long weekend for you!  At least you will have answers to your wondering mind tomorrow :)   Seems as the waiting is the hardest part!

   My two cents is that since this is a Neurologist, he does cover a wide variety of conditions. Yes, MS being one of them.  So just because one may get a phone call and think that their test were a dx for MS by phone call does not necessarily mean that will happen hear :)  

    I will admit that it is a bit curious when they give you a call like that!  Wishing you luck and Hoping that you do Not have MS, but even if you do...just remember this is NOT a death sentence Ok?

Take Care,
~Tonya

    

[Lulu54]

Monkie, just checking to see if you had seen my response and if you had more questions tonight.  

later, Lu

[Lulu54]

Hi Monkie, Welcome to our community here and I guess I should also probably welcome you to the world of MS.  From the urgency of the neurologist's office to get you in, I would guess that they found enough evidence to begin treatment.

Did you notice how many times I used "guess" in the above?  That's all it is, but your phone call sounds like my phone call when I was dxd.  It was a "the doctor wants to see you Thursday - what time is good for you?" and I knew then that the tests were positive.

As for your future with MS, if that is what you really will hear from the neurologist, you can borrow all sorts of trouble and probably most of it will not come true.  The future of MS patients is very different than what it was 20 years ago.  With treatment, the number of people remaining ambulatory (walking) through their lifetime is now up to about 80-85%.

It used to be the lifespan of an MS patient was 7 years shorter than the average, but that has changed dramatically and is now basically the same as everyone else.  And the quality of that life span has also improved.

We have tons of information about MS here in our health pages, but for now you are probably on overload just trying to process the basics.  Don't try to take in too much until you have met with your neuro.

If he does tell you that you have MS, then you will want to discuss treatment options.  There are a few different approaches and you don't want to make a snap decision without learning about the pros and cons.  The neuro should provide you with written information about your choices and then ask you to come back in a week or so.


Please know that we are here and will be more than happy to answer any and all questions you might have.  Check in and let us know what the doctor has to say tomorrow.  

wishing you well, Lulu