Diagnosis Pending
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:09 pm
Hi! I'm new here. I've been in the midst of an MS diagnosis for a while now. I originally started seeing a neurologist five years ago after some interesting episodes with vertigo. I went through bunch of tests for gait disturbance, optic nerve, hearing test, mri, etc. The MRI showed some active lesions in my cervical spine, but my brain was clean. My neurologist went out on medical leave right after that MRI and she never came back. I was shuffled to another doctor in the practice who didn't seem to take much interest in me. I sat in her office and she told me with out even looking up from her desk that this was likely a B vitamin deficiency. She wrote a script and sent me on my way with no request to follow up. She didn't even order blood work. I never scheduled a visit again, and I took my prescription B's with no results.
Flash forward to present day. Five years and two kids later, I'm having all new weird symptoms. I still get vertigo occasionally, though never as bad as that first time. I experience eye pain, chronic constipation, depression, fatigue and MAJOR brain fog. The brain fog is what brought me back to the doctor. I thought I was loosing my mind. Driving is a big trigger for my brain fog. That and heat, which also makes my fatigue unbearable.
My PCP ordered blood work for Thyroid and B Vitamin levels. Both came out normal (No surprise!). He ordered a sleep study and and MRI to see if my lesions have changed. He also threw out the word MS to me. My insurance won't cover the MRI or the sleep study. I've been battling with them for two months now.
Then, this morning, my arm went numb. It was odd. It started in my fingers. I felt like I had electricity running up and down my arm for an hour or so. Then it became pins and needles, and has remained that way for about eight hours now. I don't have any weakness or paralysis, so the ER doctor didn't seem to think this was an emergency. He's right, it's probably not. But man it was scary to be holding my four month old son and all of a sudden there is a bolt of lightning in my arm. I was scared. My doctor's office wasn't open yet. I went to the ER. Now I feel like an idiot, because they basically told me there is nothing wrong with me.
I guess that brings you up to date on my medical history. I found myself on this forum today because I can deny most of my other symptoms, but nerve problems in my arm feel very real. I'm not diagnosed with MS, but I'm looking for answers to my questions.
Thanks!
Flash forward to present day. Five years and two kids later, I'm having all new weird symptoms. I still get vertigo occasionally, though never as bad as that first time. I experience eye pain, chronic constipation, depression, fatigue and MAJOR brain fog. The brain fog is what brought me back to the doctor. I thought I was loosing my mind. Driving is a big trigger for my brain fog. That and heat, which also makes my fatigue unbearable.
My PCP ordered blood work for Thyroid and B Vitamin levels. Both came out normal (No surprise!). He ordered a sleep study and and MRI to see if my lesions have changed. He also threw out the word MS to me. My insurance won't cover the MRI or the sleep study. I've been battling with them for two months now.
Then, this morning, my arm went numb. It was odd. It started in my fingers. I felt like I had electricity running up and down my arm for an hour or so. Then it became pins and needles, and has remained that way for about eight hours now. I don't have any weakness or paralysis, so the ER doctor didn't seem to think this was an emergency. He's right, it's probably not. But man it was scary to be holding my four month old son and all of a sudden there is a bolt of lightning in my arm. I was scared. My doctor's office wasn't open yet. I went to the ER. Now I feel like an idiot, because they basically told me there is nothing wrong with me.
I guess that brings you up to date on my medical history. I found myself on this forum today because I can deny most of my other symptoms, but nerve problems in my arm feel very real. I'm not diagnosed with MS, but I'm looking for answers to my questions.
Thanks!