This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I can't believe it! I was in for my first neuro appointment since I've had all these symptoms, i was so looking forward to my appointment, maybe get some ideas about what MAY be going on, my pcp is concerned about MS, i was just hoping for some ideas..told them about the fatigue that hits me, the brick wall... the lead suite... ect.. told them about my tremors, the dot in my vision, the memory problems, the speech problems, the tingling, the walking into walls, trouble with heat ect...

Well, at the end, they said "well, we have all of you symptoms in you file... that was it.. they couldn't tell me ANYTHING about what may be causing any of this, or even what KIND of tremor I might have..didn't want to do an MRI or anything. I later found out that due to my lack of insurance, they couldn't tell me anything because they don't want the tests to come out of the states pocket. So I was upset, after battling this since 2007, and no one actually listing to me... well, anyway, because I got upset, she thinks I'm depressed and that's it, and my pcp got the files, and so that's what they think now too, I don't know what to do... I know depression goes along with ms, but my fatigue isn't depression, you guys know what i'm talking about.. its like asking someone to run a mile being tied to a car.. Anyone else have something like this happen? Anything i may be able to tell my doctor to get her back into understanding that there is more going on? I guess I need to find a new doctor, but without insurance, it's not so easy...

silverwings87 – You certainly had an unfortunate first neuro appointment! I am not a doctor, but I am quite sure your basic problem is not depression. MY first symptom was crushing fatigue… fatigue "to the bone."

Perhaps your PCP would be more willing to work with you, to order tests and rule out common conditions that could be mistaken for MS – test the thyroid hormones, cortisol level, insulin (NOT to be confused with glucose) level, etc. Maybe, as you say, it is time to find a new doctor – you have said you are a vet tech, maybe the vet that you work for could even recommend someone. All the best to you.

Thank you for the reply, it helps to know someone else agrees..lol I'm sorry about your fatuge, it sucks, flat out.

So far my thyroid is normal, don't think they've done a cortisol and I know they haven't tried an insulin level. I've been to another doctor a few months ago, they are more expensive, but I guess it's time to change if they won't do anything, I think they still want to do an MRI (my pcp), but with self pay... That's a bit of saving and they don't want to do anything in the mean time... This health care system is so messed up..

Hi silverwings 87,
I used to practice Psychiatry until my MS progressed to the point that I couldn't do the job effectively. Fatigue and pain were present early in the disease process and required that I adjusted my work schedule. They are the most common symptoms leading to disability. Not long ago however, it wasn't recognized at such by many in the field and particularly in the insurance business. Some patients have to resort to stimulants like Provigil, Ritalin, etc. in order to function. I was one of them and credit these medications with extending my professional life. I was able to work 12 years after the diagnosis. Depression on the other hand is harder to elucidate. It can be present in any chronic illness as a reaction to the disability and loss experienced. In MS patients however, depression tends to be more common than in other chronic illnesses. This observation suggests that something physiological may be in play related to the relationship between cause and effect. Doctors sometimes fail to see how the psyche and body interact to produce symptoms. YES, YOUR FATIGUE IS REAL AND CAUSED BY A MEDICAL CONDITION. Even if depression were to be present ( and I am not saying that it is ) it could be medical and not psychiatric. Good luck and keep the fight!