Where should I go now??

[Andrea`s_mommy]

Hi, I`ve posted in the past and have had some more tests done since, so I wanted to ask your opinion on where I should go from here. I started having numbness, tingling, mild intermittent eye pain in the right eye, fasiculations, and tendon tightness in the extremities 9 1/2 months ago, after my 1st baby was born. I seen a neurologist a month after it began. He performed a brain and c-spine MRI which were normal and a nerve conduction test and blood test which were normal, that was 7 mos. ago. I seen a 2nd neurologist after the first one. He did a heavy metal blood test which I think came back normal. He said he would call if anything came up w/ it, and he didn`t. He did a Somatosensory Evoked Potentials lowers test on me, which came back normal also. My symptoms are still w/ me, but slightly better. He said he wanted to monitor me for a while. What do you think I should do now? How would you diagnose me? Thanks....

[Samije]

Hello!  I have very little faith in doctors, so take their advice into consideration but don't believe it as the gospel.  The truth is that a lot of times they just don't know what to tell us and are unwilling to admit that.  I came up with, through my research, several illnesses that present with my symptoms that my neurologist has never even heard of, i.e. Bickerstaff's Brainstem Encephalitis.  Fortunately, he admits when he doesn't know something.  I am going to seek at least three more professional opinions.  One doctor even told me that maybe they'll come up with a new syndrome to describe my problems.  Keep up the research.  Maybe we can all go into the field of neurology next.  You know, it it were men who gave birth and experienced this, there would be a lot more attention paid!!!!

[Andrea`s_mommy]

I totally know what you mean! I do believe that all of us women share some sort of problem that seems to be the same, and that we`ll find an answer soon. I have began to feel better over the past few months, just from the support from all of the nice ladies on here, who have been friends to each other in this, including you. Thanks.... :)

[Andrea`s_mommy]

I just thought I would post this too while thinking of it. I mentioned to my neuro doctors that I had an epidural. They said that the epidural couldn`t have caused this because it doesn`t effect your arms. Well, my aunt was telling me about when she had her 2nd child, and had an epidural. She said, that her WHOLE body went numb with it. She couldn`t move or breathe right, and an oxygen tube was placed down her throat to help her breathe. She eventually got her feeling back, and is ok now, but those doctors can`t tell me it doesn`t effect  your arms and upper body - it did her!

[Andrea`s_mommy]

Wow, I`m amazed at everyone`s response to all of this, and I appreciate it. I think if we keep this up, we`ll get an answer and beat these doctors! Has anyone else had the Groub B strep shot while giving birth along w/ the epidural??

[Samije]

Hi.  Read your comment.  I delivered my daughter in May of 2002 as well, and am frustrated with my symptoms and lack of solutions.  Would love to correspond with you to compare notes.  My e-mail is ***@****.

[JCT]

I ALSO FORGOT TO ADD THAT I ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE POPPING IN MY EARS AND WHEN ITS VERY QUIET AT NIGHT I SOMETIMES HEAR KIND OF A WOOSHING NOISE.THANKS...