Spinal Tap Phobia

[cin68]

I saw my MS Specialist yesterday and he has ordered yet another test.  A spinal Tap.  I am scared of those.

I understand and appreciate that he wants to me make sure it is MS before he starts treating me, but what else could it be?  What else mimics MS?
Because my EMG was normal and the visual part was normal I believe he is starting to doubt me.  I wouldn't make up these symptoms.  I do not want them.  They are ruining my life.  
I apologize because I frustrated and confused.
What if there are no antibodies in the fluid, does that mean I am crazy and none of these symptoms are real?
Does the lesion on my brain mean something else?

Sorry guys, I do not know what to think anymore.

Cin

[LoveMyBostons]

Your symptoms could very well be worse lately. You could be having a relapse or you could be under stress which makes your symptoms worse. Or it could be now that you're working toward a diagnosis, little things you used to brush off are now finally making sense! I see weird things in my field of vision too from time to time. It really messes with you, doesn't it?? I seem to have trouble clearing door frames also.

[cin68]

Ahhh The door frames, my worst enemy.  I swear people that do not know of my condition must think I am total klutz or have a really bad drinking problem.

I always make a joke everytime I hit one about people need to stop moving the door frames.  I handle everything with a joke.  It makes me feel much better.


Cin

[LoveMyBostons]

Sometimes all you can do is laugh at yourself :)

[ErinZoe23]

Hey  I just got my LP last week and honeslty going to the dentist is worse then that! However i thought i was in the clear cause i did not get a headache after the procedure but a day later i did i just loaded myself up on those red bull shots figured that would have the most caffiene and it went away in a couple of days! My back did hurt after the procedure but i kinda expected that one.

And there is alot of diseases that can mmic MS  the ones i know of hand is Lupus and Lyme but there are many more.

Good Luck on you Spinal Tap and Its a good thing he wants to do all the tests possibly and make sure he dont miss anything so he gets it right! Hope all goes well! With Love, Erin

[cin68]

Hey guys,
I hope everyone is good.
Today I had a man come to me at work who has MS.  His goal was to make me feel better about what I am going through.  Instead he scared the living crap out of me and when he left my desk I was in tears.
He told me that I should decline the Spinal tap because it was old school and not necessary.  Also, I should change doctors.  Oh and the medicine will make me fat.
I just thought I would share that lovely story with you guys.

[starryeyes1]

Hi-
I spotted your entry and wanted to share my experience of the spinal tap with you. I too was scared out of my wits when my MS specialist suggested it. I had heard that it leaves you with a horrible headache.

My previous neurologist had scared me into not getting it done. In my case, the test showed what it needed to. I did not have the aweful headache they warned of.

As far as the meds, I am on Copaxone since Aug 2009 and no weight gain for me. I don't even think that is a side effect.

When you described how you are a "human pinball", that sounds just like me. That is the biggest problem for me. I make jokes saying I should move to Vegas, then I would "blend" in with all the other drunk people. I find that its much easier to make a joke about it. If I don't laugh, I will cry.

Please try to be calm about this test. You will find that it wasn't as bad as our imagination led us to believe. We are all here for you and most of us have gone thru the same things.

Don't let someone else's MS dictate what yours might be. I have tried to compare mine with others and I really can't. Every case is different.

Take care and be well !