Working with MS

[ewoksolo96]

Hello,

I am brand new to this forum, as I have not yet been formally diagnosed with MS. However, for the past six months I have been having symptoms that include: numbness, pain, excessive sweating and sensitivity to room temperature, fatigue, loss of vision and hearing, twitching, weakness, memory loss, and lack of my ability to focus. This past week, I have had six seizures, and have been in the ER twice. My doctors are exploring the possibility of MS, but I haven't found a neurologist that can see me sooner than March 2015.

I currently work in the medical field as a Lead Medical Technologist at an Assisted Living Center. Because of the unpredictability of these seizures, I have had to resign from my position until I have a formal diagnosis and begun a treatment regimen. Unfortunately, I still have financial responsibilities. So, my questions for you guys are as follows;
Can I file for disability without a diagnosis?
Do you know of resources that have helped you with these types of financial issues?
Any other advice?

Thanks.

[PointsNorth]

Hello Ewok,

Welcome to our forum. I'm sure you will have people here that will give you some intelligent feedback!

Have you had you B12, D levels tested yet?

PN

[ewoksolo96]

PointsNorth,

Yes, I have had them both tested and found that I have a slight Vitamin D deficiency.

[lyndacarol]

I join PointsNorth in welcoming you to ThisIsMS, ewoksolo96.

Since my current focus is on possible vitamin B12 deficiencies in either the blood or the tissues, I urge you to read the book, Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally M. Pacholok, RN, BSN, and Dr. Jeffrey J. Stuart, D.O. (This may be available at your library.): http://b12awareness.org/could-it-be-b12 ... diagnoses/

On page 11:

There is much controversy as to what constitutes a normal result for this test [serum vitamin B12 test]. Because of this controversy, this test is often used in conjunction with other markers of B12 deficiency (MMA, Hcy, and more recently the HoloTc).

… We believe that the "normal" serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/mL to at least 450 pg/mL because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) below 550 pg/mL.

At this time, we believe normal serum B12 levels should be greater than 550 pg/mL.…

We commonly see patients with clinical signs of B12 deficiency who are not being tested. Others who are being tested are not being treated because their serum B12 falls in the gray zone [between 200 pg/mL and 450 pg/mL]. This error results in delayed diagnosis and an increased incidence of injury.

Compare your B12 test results to those recommended by the authors.

[kengriff]

As a medical technologist, you should be aware about your work. MS is the most challenging part in yue working area. I want to appreciate you to run this work successfully.