Now what?

[samsgam]

Hi all,
It has been one year since I started my search for answers. I have diagnosis of "possible MS, not to dismiss spinal stenosis". Symptoms all disappeared for 2-3 mos. , but are just now starting to come back. Numbness, tingling, muscle spasms(painful), severe itching for no apparent reason, bladder issues, and now a new one. Left arm tremor that lasted about an hour and a half. I called my neuro to report this as he requested. He said "probably just normal muscle weakness". What is normal about this?
Anyway, just had another MRI. After battling insurance co. to go outside of my HMO to get a 3T MRI, it reads."No findings to suggest MS". "Few scattered nonspecific subcortical white matter foci, likely artifact".

What does that mean? Likely? Or ?

The problem I have with the spinal stenosis diagnosis is that it does not answer all my symptoms. According to my neuro, it has no bearing on all my upper extremity symptoms including the itching and facial numbness. I have had 2 other doctors look at the MRI images of spine on 1.5 and they don't think that even the lumbar stenosis is bad enough to be causing my lower extremity symptoms.

I want to celebrate not having MS, but I want answers. I don't know how any of this can be "normal".
My nerve conduction study was normal. All bloodwork normal. No LP done, neuro doesnt think it neccesary.

I'm ready to throw in the towel. Just start doing things that induce my symptoms, such as really hot showers that I love and miss, walking and aerobics, and see where God leads me.

Frustrated and venting, scared and depressed.
Thank you for listening,
Samsgam

[samsgam]

I hear you and thank you. This site has been my biggest source of support, since I don't like to discuss these things much with most people in my life. I am here everyday, reading and listening, even if I am not posting.

I pray every day for you and everyone else here, whether for answers or healing.

Samsgam

[Rena705]

It was only a few weeks ago that I threw in the towel honey and guess what?  I never really stopped the hunt for the elusive DMD's because I figure I am only holding myself back.  One of our members said that perhaps to lay off the search will be the one thing that will make things happen and it almost seems that way.  Since I said I was laying off my search, I have gleaned very important information from several sources (including the forum of course) and I almost feel like leaving it alone for a while did help.  Maybe it will work for you but please be careful ok?  Those really hot showers could cause you to have a serious relapse and you could end up at the point of no return...I don't think that rushing things is a good idea either.  Just try to increase your activities gradually honey, you don't want to end up sicker than ever to try to prove a point ok?  Please stay around though will ya...we all support each other and this support from you is just as important even if you haven't got a diagnosis...right?  We miss you and need you samsgam and besides, don't you want to hear the end of my suspenseful horror story?  It would be like leaving in the middle of a suspenseful horror movie wouldn't it?  he he

Lots and lots of hugs,

Rena