You will never believe this one!!!!!

[monotreme]

Ok, I went to Jefferson Neuroscience hospital today.  My wife had called them in desperation after the primary disowned me.  The neuro takes one look at how I can't lift my legs off the floor, the reports from my brain MRI's, and says,"this  looks like MS".  Then he has me walk in a straight line and I am swaying, losing my balance.  Then he does an exam....WAIT, he says.  Your reflexes are dull, not hyper reflexes!!!     So here comes the BAD NEWS>  He says," I may have to change my mind about your diagnosis".

He then proceeds to go and look at my brain mri films.  He comes back and says that the brain atrophy is normal for 50 years old, and most people have white matter disease and lesions.  Then he tells me that I should be happy because it is better to NOT know what you have then to have a MS diagnosis.  I asked why?  I want treatment before I am in a wheelchair!!  He said to trust him...he sees really deteriorated patients and it is better to have a doctor say you are ok.

then he really made my blood boil when he proceeds to tell me that I am still trying to work (my four hour days you idiot)  and if I am willing to work then why should he think I am deteriorating.  I told him that I can't run, jump,swim and can't even go for a walk with my kids.  i am trying to support a family .  He knew I was getting upset (boy what a revelation) and then agreed to order evoked potentials testing and a thoracic MRI.  He also ordered a neuro psych test.

Then he said that if these tests indicate a tendency toward MS don't think he will give me a MS diagnosis.  My wife asked him if he would like me to go on disability because it is so hard to keep going and if it would look better to a doctor to be on disability, then I could certainly do that. (she is a bit sarcastic when she is frustrated with a doctor).  He did not answer and then later said he understands my frustration.

Isn't this similar to what happened to Penn the second visit at CCF?  I can't believe this...do doctors deliberately set patients up to become disabled????   Should I keep trying and go for more opinions???   Thanks for listening.....Craig

[Quixotic1]

I'm also part of the MacLaren clan on my mom's side, also Kennedy, Hanlon, McKinney,  (some irish in there too).  Q

[Johnny Utah]

  I'm at work now but will post the exact title and publication date. If it is the same manual, and I believe so i will point you at the paragraph I was refering to. It is only referencing the general population and speaking in general terms about who is more likely (professions) to be faking a symptom. And no, no one in their right mind would trade a good career for SS disability. This was refering to claims and litagation more than anything else.

It does have hundreds of references after each chapter, thousand in total. Probably 500+ pages, and I would imagine easily $150 in value, maybe triple that in a medical school bookstore.

Give me a few hours to get you the info and see if we are talking about the same manual.

Johnny

[monotreme]

I am currently working on the letter to Dr. Morrow.  I am using some of the things you said, about how the disease is taking away my life and how I can no longer do anything with my kids.   I have copies of the mri's and everything should go out fed ex two day on Monday.  

T-Lynn,, are you able to pedal an upright stationary bike?  I am currently in physical therapy but I can only do a bike that is reclined....thanks for everything...Craig

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I don't think it would be a bad idea to tell him a couple of the totally absurd ways you have been dismissed.  Be brief and not too derogatory, but appeal to his intellect to put together a complex story.  I think it is ridiculous to tell someone to just keeping deteriorating, because no one will ever figure it out.  Keep the letter fairly brief, he is the single busiest doc I have ever seen.

and Lynn - There is a superb piece of equipment which is a seated, stepper with back/forth handle action for the arms so that the work can be equally distributed between all four limbs.  I love it.  It is comfortable and if the legs are weak the arms take up more of the action and vice versa.  It's called the NuStep.  If it wasn't $3,500 I'd get one.  Craig, I would certainly reccomend that you try one.  I've seen them in gyms, and it was the major piece of equipment used by the large PT department I went to, in their neuro section.

Quix

[Quixotic1]

You okay?  I'm worried about a developing depression in you.  You certainly deserve one - or at least a really good "nervous breakdown."

I've saved some ice cream for you.  Quix

[kitten o]

IT TOOK ME 8 NEURO. DRS. IN 4 YRS.
TO DX ME. YOU NEED TO KEEP LOOKING
FOR THE RITE DR. AS FOR ME IF THEY
WOULD HAD SEEN MY FIRST LESION 4 YRS
AGO MAYBE THINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT FOR ME.
THEY ALSO TOLD ME ATROPHY COMES WITH
AGE. I WAS 45.
GOD BLESS  KITT
P.S.    IRISH AND SCOTTISH    (O'NEILL)   LOL