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Should I Keep My Appointment

Hi, All. After 12-plus weeks of strange (left-sided) paraesthesia, hyperesthesia and pain on my left hip and leg, as well as significant fatigue, my symptoms are finally starting to "lift." During the past three weeks, I've been working very hard to get in with a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, since it is close to my home. I have seen one neurologist (referred by my PCP), and he only did a lumbar MRI and EMG and said both were negative so we should "wait and see" for now. On Friday, I finally got the referral to Mayo and was able to get an appointment for next week (with the help of a friend). Of course, just like when you take a car in to the shop for a funny noise, my worst symptoms seem to be subsiding. My question is this: Should I keep my appointment? It may seem strange to come in--after so many weeks of feeling miserable--and hardly have any symptoms....??? If they do want to do any tests, will they still show what's happening when i don't have symptoms? From what I've read, a brain MRI would probably show the white lesions, whether or not I was experiencing symptoms. But what about a lumbar puncture? Will they take me seriously, if I explain that my symptoms WERE really bad? Any advice anyone on here has would be greatly appreciate. Thank you so much!
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Avatar universal
Hi again. Yes, Shelly is right. Include the symptoms you mentioned, when they happened and for how long. Anything that might be neurological. Your vertigo may or may not be a central nervous system thing, but let them figure that out.

Best of luck,
ess
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198419 tn?1360242356
Hi there, welcome.

Ess has given you such wonderful advise.  I just wanted to add on a hello to you and wish you luck w/your upcoming appt. Next week is it? This Dr. should dig into your history and I'm so glad you do have these issues pinned down for a timeline - very important.

With only a lumbar MRI ordered, I hope Mayo orders Brain, C and T spine imaging.  This will help tell the tale.

Yes, the vertigo would be a part of your timeline.  Describe those symptoms you mention above to the Dr. w/out correlation on your part. Just important to keep the facts simple and straight.  

See you around,
Shell

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Avatar universal
Thank your for your advice. I think I will go ahead with the appointment, as you suggested. I have written down my symptoms from over the past 12 weeks, but I'm just not sure if any of the symptoms I've had in the past correlate or not. I had arm tingling/pain about 6 months ago. It only lasted for 4 weeks or so. I've also had unilateral hearing loss/vestibular loss and vertigo for a few years. Is this what you're talking about in regard to a "timeline"? Please let me know if you get a chance. Thanks so much!
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Avatar universal
Keep your appointment. It certainly won't hurt anything, after all. and you don't have to drive a long distance.

I hope you've prepared a good timeline describing when each bout started and stopped. We've had many discussions of timelines here, but if you're confused about this, please. say so. It is absolutely normal in RRMS to start to feel better, especially considering how long the typical wait is to see an MS neuro. You probably have had other bouts that lasted whatever amount of time with whatever symptoms. Just write down all these things.

The Mayo Clinic appears to have the philosophy that "light" or "early" MS should not be treated with one of the injectible drugs. That's sort of beside the point here. If they give you an MS diagnosis, then find a neuro who will treat you aggressively. But first, go to your appointment and let us know how it turns out.

ess
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