new tests ordered--why?

[grannymusiclover]

I went to the neurologist today.  More tests have been ordered.  An EEG and an ambulatory EEG have been scheduled.  He said he wanted to also test for MS.  I was seen, unexpectedly, by a sleep specialist in the same ofice.  He wants to check for sleep apnea and narcolepsy.  He ordered a sleep study--at night and again of my napping.  They looked at my brain MRIs and said they were "beautiful".  All of this to determine why my eyes are crossing?  What's goin' on?  I keep jerking.  Have terrible muscle contractions.  Sometimes, I wonder if I'm indeed going crazy!  I'm unable to sit here any longer--my legs are jerking all over the kitchen.  Could someone say somethig to maybe lessen my fears and apprehensions?  I'm so confused.  The docs are doing more than I anticipated.  But, nobody is saying much of anything.  I'm scared.  Don't know what to look up.  Please help?

[Pharmgal]

I'm a nurse, not a doc. But I suspect your neurologist is trying to build evidence to get u a diagnosis before he can treat you for a specific disorder. For many people it is frustrating because they can't get any answers. Many autoimmune diseases take awhile to diagnose because there are certain criteria that the patient has to have to get a formal diagnosis therefore disease-specific treatment can't be started until all the criteria is met. I can't imagine what you are going thru, but it does in fact sound like your neuro is trying everything to get u a definitive diagnosis so that he/ she can treat you appropriately. In the meantime, try anything that may help even the slightest bit to help your symptoms. Getting the diagnosis can take a great deal of time & effort. But if you are suffering, DON'T GIVE UP! I hope this helps for what it's worth.

[grannymusiclover]

Thank you for the encouragement!  Too many try to sympathize, instead of providing positive suggestions and reassurance.  I appreciate the kindness you've shown, simply by making the effort to respond.  I won't give up.  I've been through "you know what" for two years now.  I'm not about to quit when I've finally found a doctor who will actually do something!  (I live in a very small town, 200 miles from a neurologist.  We only have three general practitioners here.)  I've complained of my symptoms for so long and nothing was done.  Now, maybe at least I'll discover the name of whatever this is with which I am afflicted--whether there's a treatment, a cure, or not.  I've heard that "knowledge is empowering".  BINGO!  Thanks again.