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Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Utah, USA
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject: Greetings from Utah :)
Hi everyone. Hope you don't mind that I copied and pasted from another forum, it's just easier My name is Kim, I am 44 years old and live near Salt Lake City with my two wonderful boys 16 and 18 and a one-eyed cat named Lucky.
December 2nd 07 I woke up and my left leg was numb from my butt to my toes. It was a logistical nightmare getting to the bathroom as my leg was not controllable and went everywhere but where I wanted it to. On Monday, I went to the Dr. (family practice) and then for an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot. Then an x-ray and a lumbar MRI soon followed. It was first thought to be neuropathy from diabetes and then a squashed nerve root in L4-L5 (my disc there is in sad shape).
Two months later I finally got an appt. with a neurosurgeon (a resident). He was not convinced that my problem was due to nerve root compression as I should have had serious pain rather than numbness/tingling so I got 3 more MRIs, thoracic, cervical and brain to rule out MS. On March 22nd, the results of those were back. There are plaques in each section which indicate MS and I was diagnosed. Yay. Next up is a visit with a neurologist (MS specialty) on April 10th.
You know, it's interesting that you don't really notice "symptoms" until you are told the problem and then you think back. My left eye has bothered me for a few years, would get "filmy" but figured that was the diabetes. Unexplained fatigue. Not sleepy, but that kind that feels like your energy plug has been pulled. I figured I needed to lose weight and exercise more. Tingling hands? Using the computer mouse too much or sleeping on it (the hand). The bad memory? Everyone says their memory is bad. Well, do most people drive themselves to work and then sit for an hour after work waiting for their ride to pick them up?
Thank goodness I was poor anyway and could qualify for Medicaid. I had insurance through my employer, but when I went for the first MRI they wanted $600 up front because I hadn't met my deductible (I have been to the Dr. more times in the past 4 months than the past 10 years). I didn't have it, I only made $8.40 an hour. Luckily they let me go ahead with it since I had applied for Medicaid and it looked like I qualified. I quit my job as I can no longer do that kind of work (custodial/laundry). I was hoping to get another position there, but right now I can't see very well out of my left eye...
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 3399 Location: Mid-Michigan
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:
Nice to meet you Kim and welcome to the site, although I'm sorry for the reason you find yourself here.
Quote:
You know, it's interesting that you don't really notice "symptoms" until you are told the problem and then you think back. My left eye has bothered me for a few years, would get "filmy" but figured that was the diabetes. Unexplained fatigue. Not sleepy, but that kind that feels like your energy plug has been pulled. I figured I needed to lose weight and exercise more. Tingling hands? Using the computer mouse too much or sleeping on it (the hand). The bad memory? Everyone says their memory is bad. Well, do most people drive themselves to work and then sit for an hour after work waiting for their ride to pick them up?
In hindsight those signs do seem odd but it really isn't out of the ordinary for people in the general public to have those exact same symptoms and not have MS.
Until researchers come up with a specific test to confirm an MS diagnosis, no one should kick themselves in the butt for not recognizing the "signs" sooner and suspecting that they have MS.
Bob _________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
Joined: Mar 26, 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Utah, USA
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:
Just an update, I had an interesting time at the neurologists, all kinds of fun reflex and strength tests. He is very nice and to the point and doesn't try to hurry you out of the office. He confirmed the MS dx and is getting the paperwork started for Rebif. I really like the University of Utah health care system, even if it's a bit of a drive.
Now I need to decide if I want to take steroids for the optic neuritis...
Hi Shooting Star!
My unsolicited opinion is to start the steroids to get the optic neuritis under control. Your eyesight is precious-don't jeopardize it. I had vision issues last year and didn't realize at the time what was causing it. I did not start steroids right away. After I did it took several months to resolve. Even now, I have some double vision at night when my eyes are tired. I say, don't delay the treatment.
Lori
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My name is Kim, I am 44 years old and live near Salt Lake City with my two wonderful boys 16 and 18 and a one-eyed cat named Lucky.
