Trip to the Neuro

[5grahams]

So I went to see the neurologist. As I have mentioned in the past my hick Dr. has said that I had a migraine. She asked how does a migraine make you off balance or fall? I don't know, ask my gp. Anyways, I am slightly disappointed and I feel like she thinks it is in my head. I do have headaches but they come and go with my symptoms. The last time I had a bout of symptoms was in Dec. 2006 and then again about 2 months ago. Of course I couldn't get in when my symptoms were bad, nope I got in when I was feeling pretty normal. It always goes in spurts, don't know if that is normal with MS or not. She didn't spend much time checking me out. She did ask about my double vision and vertigo. Anyways she says my symptoms don't really fit with anything. She said she wants to eliminate the headaches and make sure that wasn't it. So she put me on a small dose of amitriptyline which makes me angry. I am not depressed. She said it wasn't for that it was a great headache preventative. She also gave me migraine meds. I felt like screaming I DON"T HAVE MIGRAINES. She just wouldn't listen. I have symptoms regardless of if I have a headache or not and they aren't related at all, as in I don't have symptoms and then get a headache within a certain amount of time or anything like that, they can be independant of each other. I thought going into the city and seeing a big name at a large teaching medical facility would get me the best results. Now I am wondering if that was the right thing to do.

So, now my symptoms are continuing to improve. My guess is I would be feeling better still without the meds because this is how my symptoms are. They flare up for a few months every 1-2 years and then go away (thus far). Anyways with my ataxia, paresthesia, and dysarthria (this is what she wrote on the form) she is sending me for a brain MRI without contrast to look for W.M. Lesions (again off the form). She said she doesn't think the MRI will show anything. My question is, do I bother going for the MRI. If I am in some sort of remission will anything even show up? They have a 3.0T machine. I just feel so frustrated. I know that something isn't right. Why won't anyone listen to me?

[jensequitur]

Hey, see if you can get the MRI with and without contrast - unless you have a kidney or liver problem, it's a good idea.

[watson01]

I understand that your frustrated and don't feel that your being listened to.  Believe me your not alone in feeling this way many people on this forum have expressed the same feeling so I would encourage you to reach out for guidence and help.  In order rule in or rule out an diagnosis of MS you first have to rule out multiple MS mimics (other disease that could be causing your MS-type symptoms).  I would definatly encourage you to get and MRI of your head on a 3T MRI machine using the dye contrast to try and detect any new MS lesion that could be developing.  If at all possible, depending on your neurological symptoms you may want to get MRI's of your spinal cord as well.  Unfortunatly, with MS you have neurological symptoms that come on suddenly, followed by a slow recovery period and usually they follow a typical pattern of relapse/remissions.  Every MS patient is different and some people and some can have remission of symptoms for years where as others my have some degree of disability nearly all the time.  Because of this pattern of relapse/remission of neurologiacal symptoms it is hard for an MS diagnosis to be estabilished.....you really need to be evaluated by the neurologist during a flare up.  Did the doctor suggest any follow up appointments/treatments?  If you really don't feel you can communicate with your doctor then you should try to find another one but at the same time patience is required because this disease in not easy to diagnosis.  I wish you much luck and if you every have any questions please don't hesitate to ask them.  Every one on this forum is nice, supportive and helpful.    

[5grahams]

You know, you're right. I need to just sit back and take things one step at a time. I've just heard the whole it's in your head thing so much and I am a bit sensitive I suppose. I just hate that she prescribed me something that was an anti depressant. It is also supposed to help with pain. I am not a patient person so it is difficult. I am hoping maybe there is a simple reason for everything going on, and that my MRI will be normal. I have it on the 17th, and then my follow up is on the 26th. She made time in her day to see me again because she was actually booked through mid December. I heard the receptionist telling her she was full and could tell from her end that the Dr. had made time for me. I just want to feel better, not crazy.

[Amyloo]

Hi,  In my opinion it seems she is listening.  There are steps; go for the MRI.  If there is anything to see it will be there whether you are symptomatic or symptom free at the time.   Also, antidepressants are not just for depression; they can work on different issues going on in the brain.  Cymbalta, for example, also helps with pain signals.  The one that has been prescribed for you may help.

God bless you, I know it is really frustrating to never know what your body will do next.  There are several things that could be going on.  Amy