RVB
07-27-2004, 05:42 PM
Hello everyone,
I think my symptoms started back in January. I met my wonderful new girlfriend. We grew close fairly quick and when it was time to be intimate I could not. Now many might say this happens all the time...and it does. However, that was the first of my symptoms. From there I felt my sex drive slowly fall from me. Then in the beginning of February I was struck down with the worst case of the Flu I had ever known to have. Mind you I don't usually get sick and handnt had the Flu since my pre-teens. After recovering from the Flu I resumed my normal 70/hr work week. Shortly after I noticed my right foot becoming numb or rather it felt as if I was wearing 15 pairs of socks. Ironically I went to go see my Doctor, not for the numbness, but for the erection problem. I mentioned something of my numbness but we dismissed it as working hard. He prescribed Levitra and I was on my way. It worked, however, after the next coming weeks my tingling/numbness grew up my leg and overtook my other. My buttocks region was now weird feeling also. I was waking up to these horrible stretches. My walking went to hell, my balance was off horribly and my legs felt like they were 500lbs each. They felt very heavy, also making it difficult to walk.
Without insurance I was in a difficult position. However, I found a local neurologist he and mentioned MS or the possibility of a tumor. He said there was nothing we could do at this time and prescribed a MRI. Due to money restrictions I put off the MRI. My symptoms started to draw back. My legs started to feel stronger and I was walking better. However, I still needed the Levitra and the tingling/numbness never totally went away. I was feeling good though. Good enough to try to go back to work. Mind you 3 months have gone by at this point.
I went back to work at the restaurant first, thinking if I could survive working here I'd be ok at my day job. I worked 2 nights in a row and that seems to be my worst decision yet. Slowly over the past 2 weeks my walking has gone to hell again. My legs feels as though they are 900lbs each now. I don't know if this is another attack. I'm scared as hell. But I am going for my MRI next week. Lets hope nothing shows up.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
I think my symptoms started back in January. I met my wonderful new girlfriend. We grew close fairly quick and when it was time to be intimate I could not. Now many might say this happens all the time...and it does. However, that was the first of my symptoms. From there I felt my sex drive slowly fall from me. Then in the beginning of February I was struck down with the worst case of the Flu I had ever known to have. Mind you I don't usually get sick and handnt had the Flu since my pre-teens. After recovering from the Flu I resumed my normal 70/hr work week. Shortly after I noticed my right foot becoming numb or rather it felt as if I was wearing 15 pairs of socks. Ironically I went to go see my Doctor, not for the numbness, but for the erection problem. I mentioned something of my numbness but we dismissed it as working hard. He prescribed Levitra and I was on my way. It worked, however, after the next coming weeks my tingling/numbness grew up my leg and overtook my other. My buttocks region was now weird feeling also. I was waking up to these horrible stretches. My walking went to hell, my balance was off horribly and my legs felt like they were 500lbs each. They felt very heavy, also making it difficult to walk.
Without insurance I was in a difficult position. However, I found a local neurologist he and mentioned MS or the possibility of a tumor. He said there was nothing we could do at this time and prescribed a MRI. Due to money restrictions I put off the MRI. My symptoms started to draw back. My legs started to feel stronger and I was walking better. However, I still needed the Levitra and the tingling/numbness never totally went away. I was feeling good though. Good enough to try to go back to work. Mind you 3 months have gone by at this point.
I went back to work at the restaurant first, thinking if I could survive working here I'd be ok at my day job. I worked 2 nights in a row and that seems to be my worst decision yet. Slowly over the past 2 weeks my walking has gone to hell again. My legs feels as though they are 900lbs each now. I don't know if this is another attack. I'm scared as hell. But I am going for my MRI next week. Lets hope nothing shows up.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Sponsor
Jewel2
07-27-2004, 05:50 PM
Hi RVB,
It's good you're getting an MRI. Do you know what part of your spine they'll be checking?
It's just a thought, but do you have any low back problems? A compressed lumbar disc could cause the symptoms you describe. And working in a restaurant for a couple of days might aggravate that.
Best wishes,
Julie
It's good you're getting an MRI. Do you know what part of your spine they'll be checking?
It's just a thought, but do you have any low back problems? A compressed lumbar disc could cause the symptoms you describe. And working in a restaurant for a couple of days might aggravate that.
Best wishes,
Julie
RVB
07-28-2004, 10:49 AM
Hi RVB,
It's good you're getting an MRI. Do you know what part of your spine they'll be checking?
It's just a thought, but do you have any low back problems? A compressed lumbar disc could cause the symptoms you describe. And working in a restaurant for a couple of days might aggravate that.
Best wishes,
Julie
Thank you Julie.
I'm getting a C-spine and L-spine with contrast. I have a friend in the MRI business now.:D But as a matter of fact I do have just a little back aggravation. Nothing debilitating. Just some discomfort I notice from time to time. I never gave it much thought. I assumed disk problems would cause big pain. I dunno. I shouldnt assume. I'm not a Doctor.
I hope its anything but MS:(
Thanks for your input
Rich
It's good you're getting an MRI. Do you know what part of your spine they'll be checking?
It's just a thought, but do you have any low back problems? A compressed lumbar disc could cause the symptoms you describe. And working in a restaurant for a couple of days might aggravate that.
Best wishes,
Julie
Thank you Julie.
I'm getting a C-spine and L-spine with contrast. I have a friend in the MRI business now.:D But as a matter of fact I do have just a little back aggravation. Nothing debilitating. Just some discomfort I notice from time to time. I never gave it much thought. I assumed disk problems would cause big pain. I dunno. I shouldnt assume. I'm not a Doctor.
I hope its anything but MS:(
Thanks for your input
Rich
HeatherJM
07-28-2004, 11:53 PM
Hi Rich, your story sounds eerily like mine (well, minus the erection problem.. LOL) but that is how mine started, from the flu (I was begging for death! I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks, not that I was complaining.. ;)) to being told its either a tumor or MS... Crossing my fingers that your story ends differently than mine.. Unfortunatly I was diagnosed with MS, but I try to maintain the thought that it could have been worse. With the alternative being a tumor, I'll take MS anyday!!
Good luck and keep us posted!! :)
Good luck and keep us posted!! :)
californiasunflower
07-29-2004, 05:52 PM
Hi Rich,
See the terms cauda equina. An area in your lower spine that if adversely affected by the lumbar or disease (MS, tumor, and others), will have an affect on the bowel, bladder, and ones sexuality.
If i understood your correctly, you put off the MRI due to cost. I hope you are having the MRI, and if not, will reconsider. I understand your situation and position. There's nothing more valuable than your health, getting diagnosed and treated. If you let it go, it may get worse and cost even more. The MRI provider will work with you! You may just have to put down a deposit of $25 to $50 at the time of service. Then once you get the bill, contact the business office for payment arrangements---for the rest of your life! Just Kidding! Really, I am! Providers will work with you. :)
See the terms cauda equina. An area in your lower spine that if adversely affected by the lumbar or disease (MS, tumor, and others), will have an affect on the bowel, bladder, and ones sexuality.
If i understood your correctly, you put off the MRI due to cost. I hope you are having the MRI, and if not, will reconsider. I understand your situation and position. There's nothing more valuable than your health, getting diagnosed and treated. If you let it go, it may get worse and cost even more. The MRI provider will work with you! You may just have to put down a deposit of $25 to $50 at the time of service. Then once you get the bill, contact the business office for payment arrangements---for the rest of your life! Just Kidding! Really, I am! Providers will work with you. :)