conni hutton
01-04-2008, 01:18 PM
my first time posting so please bare with me. Im longing for answers and Ive been through alot of testing for the past 8 mtns the last 3 months my reg. physician thinks I could have ms. went to neuro she says we are trying to rule it out. meanwhile, im frustrated as alot of you are searching for answers. the list of test and results so far. mri "brian" showed spots with contrast did not show up as a lesion just spots the evoked test on eyes "ms protocol" results were "abnormal" on legs it was normal. I had a spinal tap so far it came back with high protein levels but neuro says not significant. even though on here if seen otherwise?? still waiting on the rest of spinal tap results has to come back from the mayo clinic.
my symptoms: on an off tingling in hands and feet at one time I had tingling in all my toes. some tingling in left leg on and off. tingling down one side of leftside arm only happened a couple of times. Ihave weakness in my hands dont have the strength anymore to open anything. I have contined burning in upper back on left side up the spine and sometimes in the shoulder area. sometimes there is some burning that goes on the right side of upper back at bra line this burning in the upper back never goes below the bra strap line. These symptoms along with blurred vision which I did have to go and get glasses have been happening for around 9 mths. Im on neurontin 300mg it does not take away these smyptoms. Ive lost alot of weight. I have also noticed one of my ribs on left side is not much larger and sticks out further than my right rib. have any of you expereince anything like these I know that the symptoms of ms are different in all of us but, I would still like your opinions. THanks ahead of time.
my symptoms: on an off tingling in hands and feet at one time I had tingling in all my toes. some tingling in left leg on and off. tingling down one side of leftside arm only happened a couple of times. Ihave weakness in my hands dont have the strength anymore to open anything. I have contined burning in upper back on left side up the spine and sometimes in the shoulder area. sometimes there is some burning that goes on the right side of upper back at bra line this burning in the upper back never goes below the bra strap line. These symptoms along with blurred vision which I did have to go and get glasses have been happening for around 9 mths. Im on neurontin 300mg it does not take away these smyptoms. Ive lost alot of weight. I have also noticed one of my ribs on left side is not much larger and sticks out further than my right rib. have any of you expereince anything like these I know that the symptoms of ms are different in all of us but, I would still like your opinions. THanks ahead of time.
Sponsor
MSNik
01-04-2008, 05:25 PM
Hi Conni. First of all, dont panic, okay? Although your symptoms are driving you crazy (it sounds) none of them are life threatening. To some extent, it does sound like MS, although some of the symtoms do not ring true with MS at all- such as "Ive lost alot of weight. I have also noticed one of my ribs on left side is not much larger and sticks out further than my right rib." Not MS related...
The MRI is probably the most significant test you have had done. And, just because nothing was showing up when you had it, doesnt mean that the lesions wont show up in the next 6 months or so. Did the Neuro talk about repeating it in the future? He should be....MRIs detect what is active or there, NOW, but things change in an instant. THey dont go away, but they do show up....
The LP or spinal is also important, to rule out infections and possibly to check for LYme disease...is that being done? It needs to be...Lyme has many symptoms which mimic MS, but they are truly different diseases...
its obviously going to take some time to get answers, and much as I hate to say it, youre going to have to be patient with this. Continue seeing your Neuro and stay with the testing....it might take a real problem before they are willing to go further with this, such as a honest to G-D relapse...right now, you are experiencing symtoms which may or may not be MS related...until something really developes on film (MRI) or by testing (LP) youre going to have to be patient..
Feel better and TRY not to stress. It only aggravates the condition, no matter what it is.
Nikki
The MRI is probably the most significant test you have had done. And, just because nothing was showing up when you had it, doesnt mean that the lesions wont show up in the next 6 months or so. Did the Neuro talk about repeating it in the future? He should be....MRIs detect what is active or there, NOW, but things change in an instant. THey dont go away, but they do show up....
The LP or spinal is also important, to rule out infections and possibly to check for LYme disease...is that being done? It needs to be...Lyme has many symptoms which mimic MS, but they are truly different diseases...
its obviously going to take some time to get answers, and much as I hate to say it, youre going to have to be patient with this. Continue seeing your Neuro and stay with the testing....it might take a real problem before they are willing to go further with this, such as a honest to G-D relapse...right now, you are experiencing symtoms which may or may not be MS related...until something really developes on film (MRI) or by testing (LP) youre going to have to be patient..
Feel better and TRY not to stress. It only aggravates the condition, no matter what it is.
Nikki
conni hutton
01-05-2008, 10:47 AM
thanks so much for reply your the first person to anwser and I so appreciate it. I got my results back yesterday on my spinal tap and it came back neg. but,my neuro reguested me to make an appointment. so not sure what that means. hopefully to discuss whats next. I understand about the frustration issue and I know it takes awhile to determine if these symptoms are ms related. I just know that this burning issue I have in my upper back mostley on the left is killing me. some days are worse than others. I have had blood work that did not show lyme disease. not sure if there is other test that show that or not? I just want a diagnosis? I hope my neuro has some ideas on what the spots are or could be? she did say she wanted to do another mri in 6mths on the brain. not sure yet about another spinal tap but, I guess there will be. so far, it just came back with the protein level high. maybe we will discuss all of these results and she will have some idea whats happening to me. not sure what the abnormal results from the eye test means either.
im just ready to be told what ever it is and hopefully get on the right meds or treatment what ever it is to resolve some of my symptoms.
I just want to think you so much for replying. It feels really good to know that someone read my post and responded!
thanks, I hope to chat with you again.
conni
im just ready to be told what ever it is and hopefully get on the right meds or treatment what ever it is to resolve some of my symptoms.
I just want to think you so much for replying. It feels really good to know that someone read my post and responded!
thanks, I hope to chat with you again.
conni
MSNik
01-05-2008, 10:53 AM
Conni, youre welcome. No need to thank me. Support here, is freely given!:D
You probably wont have to have another Spinal Tap. THey usually dont repeat those...high protein levels are actually not unusual at all. Dont sweat that....most people get high levels, simply from a virus or something..it doesnt have to mean anything.
Now, Lyme is a different story. You want to be absoutely 100% sure of where the blood work was done. Read up on IgeneX. Youll understand more about it, or check out the LYme board here on healthboards and read some posts...Lyme is one of the single most MISdiagnosed diseases around. So many people think a negative blood test is a negative result, but over half the blood tests done, show either false negatives or false positives unless they are done by a reputable Lyme agency.. (IgeneX).
Dont stress making the next appoitment or even worrying about what will take place. ITs really important that the doctor monitor both physical changes as well as radiographic ones. (MRIs). Its likely that you will have the MRI repeated, which is the smartest thing to do....as I told you before, MRIs change weekly/ daily even. Give the doc a chance to explain his or her game plan and let us know what happens, okay??
Here if you need us..
Hugs
Nikki
You probably wont have to have another Spinal Tap. THey usually dont repeat those...high protein levels are actually not unusual at all. Dont sweat that....most people get high levels, simply from a virus or something..it doesnt have to mean anything.
Now, Lyme is a different story. You want to be absoutely 100% sure of where the blood work was done. Read up on IgeneX. Youll understand more about it, or check out the LYme board here on healthboards and read some posts...Lyme is one of the single most MISdiagnosed diseases around. So many people think a negative blood test is a negative result, but over half the blood tests done, show either false negatives or false positives unless they are done by a reputable Lyme agency.. (IgeneX).
Dont stress making the next appoitment or even worrying about what will take place. ITs really important that the doctor monitor both physical changes as well as radiographic ones. (MRIs). Its likely that you will have the MRI repeated, which is the smartest thing to do....as I told you before, MRIs change weekly/ daily even. Give the doc a chance to explain his or her game plan and let us know what happens, okay??
Here if you need us..
Hugs
Nikki
Johnstay
01-22-2008, 01:06 AM
The MRI is probably the most significant test you have had done. And, just because nothing was showing up when you had it, doesnt mean that the lesions wont show up in the next 6 months or so. Did the Neuro talk about repeating it in the future? He should be....MRIs detect what is active or there, NOW, but things change in an instant. THey dont go away, but they do show up....
Nikki
I had to ask what you meant by this quote. I just recently spent 1 week at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, concerned that I might have MS. I got an MRI and the Neurologist said that it looked clear, No lesions. I asked him "Is it possible that they are just not active now or that they will form later?" "He said "No, once you have any symptoms, the lesions are already there and will show up" Basically indicating that the lesions are the cause of the symptoms.
So now after reading your quote, unless I am not understanding .....even though my MRI was completely clear and the Neurologists opinion was that I didnt have MS, I could actually have MS just because the lesions were inactive thereby they didnt show up?
Nikki
I had to ask what you meant by this quote. I just recently spent 1 week at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, concerned that I might have MS. I got an MRI and the Neurologist said that it looked clear, No lesions. I asked him "Is it possible that they are just not active now or that they will form later?" "He said "No, once you have any symptoms, the lesions are already there and will show up" Basically indicating that the lesions are the cause of the symptoms.
So now after reading your quote, unless I am not understanding .....even though my MRI was completely clear and the Neurologists opinion was that I didnt have MS, I could actually have MS just because the lesions were inactive thereby they didnt show up?
Bearygood
01-22-2008, 02:57 AM
John, I'm sure Nikki will respond but I wanted to comment as well.
This is a tricky one. The thing that is consistently said is that lesions denote disease activity -- and it's the disease activity that causes lesions. So the disease activity comes first, before the lesions.
Then on the other hand, we know that where lesions are can at least somewhat be linked to certain symptoms, depending on what area of the brain or spine the lesions appear in. But sometimes, there does not seem to be any at least APPARENT correlation.
And then there are those with plenty of lesions and few symptoms and conversely, those with no or few lesions and PLENTY of sx!
Take a look at the updated McDonald criteria (the version that was updated in 2005 -- you can find it in several places, including the NMSS site). Sometimes there is just not enough clinical data to get a dx but this should give you an idea of what they look for. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes a very long time for people with MS to get dxed.
This is a tricky one. The thing that is consistently said is that lesions denote disease activity -- and it's the disease activity that causes lesions. So the disease activity comes first, before the lesions.
Then on the other hand, we know that where lesions are can at least somewhat be linked to certain symptoms, depending on what area of the brain or spine the lesions appear in. But sometimes, there does not seem to be any at least APPARENT correlation.
And then there are those with plenty of lesions and few symptoms and conversely, those with no or few lesions and PLENTY of sx!
Take a look at the updated McDonald criteria (the version that was updated in 2005 -- you can find it in several places, including the NMSS site). Sometimes there is just not enough clinical data to get a dx but this should give you an idea of what they look for. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes a very long time for people with MS to get dxed.
MS for life
01-22-2008, 08:42 AM
Also, it's how your MRI changes, is what I think Niki was getting at. I had nine significant lesions and when I had my second MRI six months later, I turned up with three more. I know he said a lot of more technical things in there, as to where they were located and what they looked like, but what he was able to do was use that, with the McDonald criteria, to diagnose me. Everything else was turning up normal, except for my symptoms of course that were getting worse. Niki, correct me if I'm wrong on this one. I do not think the lesions come and go, which is what you are inferring, but they may have not shown up (from your symptoms) just yet. Have the six month MRI.
MSNik
01-22-2008, 09:34 AM
Hi John and MS for life- everything everyone wrote I have to agree with. Thats why, John, this disease is so tricky to diagnos.
To a certain extent lesions can come and go, MS forLife, but not really. THey never really totally go away. They can get larger and more active (contrasted MRI will show this) or they can lay dormant and almost not show up as much more than a dot on the MRI (inactive or what some radiologists call remission), but they never totally go away....remember MS lesions are basically scar tissue caused by destruction of the Myelin Sheath of the nerves.
Side note; there are studies being done on meds now which are supposedly going to be able to reverse damage caused to the Myelin Sheath- thus helping us MSers quite a bit, unfortunately, its many, MANY years away from being brought out.
John, your doctors would be seeing SOMETHING. PROBABALY. Theres no guarantee..theres no guarantee that the lesions arent already there, but didnt present themeselves on the MRI this time around....they still could show up...I will say this : Youre in the right place, the Mayo clinic. Those docs are really tops and know their stuff...if they arent leaning towards MS, you shouldnt be either. You should also know that about 5% of cases of MS are found, with no lesions at all.. they are found by spinal taps, evoked potential tests and symtoms. So, there is no way to say your doctor or your understanding is wrong, or right....do they have another direction they are taking with this? Additional tests they did or are doing? Did they suggest repeating the MRIs in 6 months? Those would be my thoughts..
Bearygood's answer was exact and she said what I would have said to you. Its really hard to put into words..and very confusing...which is why MS is so hard/tricky to get right.
I hope this helps somewhat..
Nikki
To a certain extent lesions can come and go, MS forLife, but not really. THey never really totally go away. They can get larger and more active (contrasted MRI will show this) or they can lay dormant and almost not show up as much more than a dot on the MRI (inactive or what some radiologists call remission), but they never totally go away....remember MS lesions are basically scar tissue caused by destruction of the Myelin Sheath of the nerves.
Side note; there are studies being done on meds now which are supposedly going to be able to reverse damage caused to the Myelin Sheath- thus helping us MSers quite a bit, unfortunately, its many, MANY years away from being brought out.
John, your doctors would be seeing SOMETHING. PROBABALY. Theres no guarantee..theres no guarantee that the lesions arent already there, but didnt present themeselves on the MRI this time around....they still could show up...I will say this : Youre in the right place, the Mayo clinic. Those docs are really tops and know their stuff...if they arent leaning towards MS, you shouldnt be either. You should also know that about 5% of cases of MS are found, with no lesions at all.. they are found by spinal taps, evoked potential tests and symtoms. So, there is no way to say your doctor or your understanding is wrong, or right....do they have another direction they are taking with this? Additional tests they did or are doing? Did they suggest repeating the MRIs in 6 months? Those would be my thoughts..
Bearygood's answer was exact and she said what I would have said to you. Its really hard to put into words..and very confusing...which is why MS is so hard/tricky to get right.
I hope this helps somewhat..
Nikki
Johnstay
01-22-2008, 11:53 AM
Well, Hello everyone and thanks for all the quick answers. I'm John, 34 male. Here's basically what I've been going through. Forgive me for the length.
5 months ago.
Absolutely no symptoms before this point, ever (as far as I know)
4 months ago
Legs started itching very badly on shins and thighs. (this lasted for about 2 months but has basically subsided)
3.5 months ago
once or twice every day or 2, would get this real tight kind of straining feeling in the lower back neck, it would usually be accompanied with extreme tiredness.
around the same time..
noticed the tip of my left pointer finger and tip of my left toe were numb. (this lasted for about 2 weeks and hasnt returned)
3 months ago.
when I scratched areas on my back and stomach, raised white areas would form and then disappear after about 5 mins. Went to Dermi, said I had Dermographism, also confirmed by Mayo (maybe this could explain the itching)
2.5 months ago
Still had the neck issue, it would come and go, but now noticed a burning sensation on my neck and shoulder area, would usually get worse as soon as sun light hit it. (I still suffer from these symptoms off and on, currently)
2 months ago
started noticing a bit of chest pain in the area of my heart. Has never been severe, but it's always there, more noticable when I move a certain way. It's almost like a pulled muscle, but feels like it's deep, behind the ribs. (got a chest x-ray after feeling this for 2 weeks. x-ray came back normal (still have the chest issue to this day)
2 months ago
slowly started noticing when I would wake up in the morning, my hands would be kind of stiff, almost like an arthitis feeling? throughout the day my hands would get better except for a few of my knuckles were sore (still have the stiff hands in the morning up to this date)
2 months ago
basically for the past 2 months have experieced some tingling and numbess in toes/feet/lower legs. In my fingers/hands. A few times, have felt a moment or 2 of tingling in my face/lips. Not all at once, just off and on randomly in any of those parts. Maybe I would feel tingling in my toes for 2 or 3 hours, then it would go away. I have had days where I don't notice anything.
1 month ago
have been having slight trouble emptying my bladder. Pee stream is a little weaker than usual (sorry for detail) (I have had slight prostate trouble in the past. Have been diagosed with a kind of "large/over active prostate")
last 1 or 2 months
legs have felt very week at times. Within the past 3 weeks have started having slight spasms in my calves.
1 week ago, got out of bed, and eyes starting flashing off and on, like a strobe light for about 5 minutes. Not flashing to blackness, but just kind of a strobbing effect. (very scary) (went to opthamologist yesteray, said my eyes were perfect, no optic neuritis. and basically said I experienced a migraine without the pain)
So I went to mayo about 2 weeks ago, telling them I think I have either Lupus or MS.
the rheumi examined me and did a couple of blood tests and basically said I dont have Lupus
then the neurologist examined me, had me walk back and forth, touch my nose. etc etc. Got an MRI of the head and an MRI of the neck area/spine. He saw no lesions at all. Said my brain and neck looked perfect. He said "I don't think you have MS"
I've had quite a bit of blood work. All have turned out normal. The only slight concern was Vitamin D. Normal range is 25-80. Mine was 24. Mayo didnt really connect any of my symptoms with my Vitamin D level. But the general doctor did say it would be a good idea if I started taking Vitamin D
I basically left Mayo with the diagnosis of Anxiety. Believe me, I hope this is true. But I just feel like something is definitely not right with me.
I have been known to be a bit of a hypochondriac in the past. I do worry and get anxious alot.
within the past 4 months I have been under quite a bit of stress from work and other things. Maybe this is the cause of everything?
Thanks for listening.
John
5 months ago.
Absolutely no symptoms before this point, ever (as far as I know)
4 months ago
Legs started itching very badly on shins and thighs. (this lasted for about 2 months but has basically subsided)
3.5 months ago
once or twice every day or 2, would get this real tight kind of straining feeling in the lower back neck, it would usually be accompanied with extreme tiredness.
around the same time..
noticed the tip of my left pointer finger and tip of my left toe were numb. (this lasted for about 2 weeks and hasnt returned)
3 months ago.
when I scratched areas on my back and stomach, raised white areas would form and then disappear after about 5 mins. Went to Dermi, said I had Dermographism, also confirmed by Mayo (maybe this could explain the itching)
2.5 months ago
Still had the neck issue, it would come and go, but now noticed a burning sensation on my neck and shoulder area, would usually get worse as soon as sun light hit it. (I still suffer from these symptoms off and on, currently)
2 months ago
started noticing a bit of chest pain in the area of my heart. Has never been severe, but it's always there, more noticable when I move a certain way. It's almost like a pulled muscle, but feels like it's deep, behind the ribs. (got a chest x-ray after feeling this for 2 weeks. x-ray came back normal (still have the chest issue to this day)
2 months ago
slowly started noticing when I would wake up in the morning, my hands would be kind of stiff, almost like an arthitis feeling? throughout the day my hands would get better except for a few of my knuckles were sore (still have the stiff hands in the morning up to this date)
2 months ago
basically for the past 2 months have experieced some tingling and numbess in toes/feet/lower legs. In my fingers/hands. A few times, have felt a moment or 2 of tingling in my face/lips. Not all at once, just off and on randomly in any of those parts. Maybe I would feel tingling in my toes for 2 or 3 hours, then it would go away. I have had days where I don't notice anything.
1 month ago
have been having slight trouble emptying my bladder. Pee stream is a little weaker than usual (sorry for detail) (I have had slight prostate trouble in the past. Have been diagosed with a kind of "large/over active prostate")
last 1 or 2 months
legs have felt very week at times. Within the past 3 weeks have started having slight spasms in my calves.
1 week ago, got out of bed, and eyes starting flashing off and on, like a strobe light for about 5 minutes. Not flashing to blackness, but just kind of a strobbing effect. (very scary) (went to opthamologist yesteray, said my eyes were perfect, no optic neuritis. and basically said I experienced a migraine without the pain)
So I went to mayo about 2 weeks ago, telling them I think I have either Lupus or MS.
the rheumi examined me and did a couple of blood tests and basically said I dont have Lupus
then the neurologist examined me, had me walk back and forth, touch my nose. etc etc. Got an MRI of the head and an MRI of the neck area/spine. He saw no lesions at all. Said my brain and neck looked perfect. He said "I don't think you have MS"
I've had quite a bit of blood work. All have turned out normal. The only slight concern was Vitamin D. Normal range is 25-80. Mine was 24. Mayo didnt really connect any of my symptoms with my Vitamin D level. But the general doctor did say it would be a good idea if I started taking Vitamin D
I basically left Mayo with the diagnosis of Anxiety. Believe me, I hope this is true. But I just feel like something is definitely not right with me.
I have been known to be a bit of a hypochondriac in the past. I do worry and get anxious alot.
within the past 4 months I have been under quite a bit of stress from work and other things. Maybe this is the cause of everything?
Thanks for listening.
John
Bearygood
01-22-2008, 12:52 PM
John, when we all focus on something wrong, it is not unusual for things to become more pronounced by a psychosomatic effect. Itches become itchier, stiffness becomes stiffer, etc. I'm not suggesting that you're not really experiencing these things but try not to focus so much. You don't have to be in a rush to be dxed with something, especially if these things are not really interfering with your daily life. That said, NOW would probably be a good time to a write down everything in a symptom journal but it sounds like you might be doing that already, so that's a good thing. If things continue or new sx present, I would head back to the doctor -- and sometimes, if you have a good PCP, that's a great place to start (again). The things you're describing can be found in MS but not only MS.
As far as your eyes, I will say that I think that's a ridiculous conclusion for the ophthalmologist to come to. I (and a lot of us) have experienced the strobe light effect you're talking about and mine was actually before I had ON and was dxed. Happened 2 times. I'm not suggesting that you are going to get ON or that this is a precursor to MS, but it does suggest something neurological.
BUT -- yes, everything you're describing CAN occur from stress.
Hang in there, watch yourself -- but not too closely so that it causes things to be more pronounced! Don't focus on these things and if talking to a professional might be helpful, I'd suggest that. See what happens if you take your mind off of all this for a few months and believe that you ARE fine. Becauses there's certainly a chance that you are. :)
As far as your eyes, I will say that I think that's a ridiculous conclusion for the ophthalmologist to come to. I (and a lot of us) have experienced the strobe light effect you're talking about and mine was actually before I had ON and was dxed. Happened 2 times. I'm not suggesting that you are going to get ON or that this is a precursor to MS, but it does suggest something neurological.
BUT -- yes, everything you're describing CAN occur from stress.
Hang in there, watch yourself -- but not too closely so that it causes things to be more pronounced! Don't focus on these things and if talking to a professional might be helpful, I'd suggest that. See what happens if you take your mind off of all this for a few months and believe that you ARE fine. Becauses there's certainly a chance that you are. :)
Bearygood
01-22-2008, 02:00 PM
John, I neglected to mention vitamin D. In regard to the overall general population (especially women, but not limited to women) many people are deficient in D and are untreated. (I just had this conversation with my endocrinologist.) Specifically in terms of MS, there is a high incidence of D deficiency and there SEEMS to be some relationship in being at higher risk for developing MS -- or more accurately, that vitamin D is a very good protective measure to NOT get it. Also, that there may be a benefit for those already dxed to take the supplement; that it might be helpful. This may also be the case with other neurological conditions but I'm really just aware of its relationship to MS.
Now, when I say vitamin D, it's actually vitamin D3 (the same D benefit that you get from the sun). It is also known as Cholecalciferol. It actually functions in the body as a hormone. In high doses, it can be toxic so it's a good idea to have your levels tested if you supplement and also make sure that liver function is okay. (Both the liver and kidneys are involved with converting the vitamin to its active hormone but I don't actually know if kidneys are also tested for toxicity -- I actually just had my panel done and am waiting for results.) There is also a possibility in some whose levels are low that the problem may not be the vitamin itself, but an absorption issue -- in which case, there is reason to make sure that both the kidneys and liver are functioning properly.
I would certainly advise you to get those levels up -- but make sure you are monitored. It's good that your regular doctor noted this but a little sad that the Mayo didn't check it, especially since MS is one of the things they were checking! :confused:
Look at it as a good preventative measure for health but again, make sure you're being monitored. Please let us know how you're doing but it would probably be best to start a new thread for yourself since we've successfully hijacked Connie's thread!
(Sorry, Connie!) :)
Now, when I say vitamin D, it's actually vitamin D3 (the same D benefit that you get from the sun). It is also known as Cholecalciferol. It actually functions in the body as a hormone. In high doses, it can be toxic so it's a good idea to have your levels tested if you supplement and also make sure that liver function is okay. (Both the liver and kidneys are involved with converting the vitamin to its active hormone but I don't actually know if kidneys are also tested for toxicity -- I actually just had my panel done and am waiting for results.) There is also a possibility in some whose levels are low that the problem may not be the vitamin itself, but an absorption issue -- in which case, there is reason to make sure that both the kidneys and liver are functioning properly.
I would certainly advise you to get those levels up -- but make sure you are monitored. It's good that your regular doctor noted this but a little sad that the Mayo didn't check it, especially since MS is one of the things they were checking! :confused:
Look at it as a good preventative measure for health but again, make sure you're being monitored. Please let us know how you're doing but it would probably be best to start a new thread for yourself since we've successfully hijacked Connie's thread!
(Sorry, Connie!) :)