Update, where do I go from here - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MarinaO · 02-18-2009, 04:40 AM

Hi everyone, it seems like ages since I posted on here so here is an update. Some time ago I went to my doctor with symptoms of, pins and needles, numbness, electric shock like sensations, terrible cramps in feet and legs, unable to walk far, jerking and hand tremor, severe eye pain, loss of vision and blurring and some other symptoms but hopefully you will get the jist. He then referred me to a Neurologist who checked the medications that I was on and when I told him one of my medications was for Anziety and depression he immediately said that that was what was wrong with me. I tried to explain to him that my doctor had put me on them because of all the symptoms that I had and the fact that I was often taken ill while out so had developed the Anziety because of it, NOT anziety causing the symptoms. Anyway he eventually said he would let me have an MRI scan but he said he wasn't expecting to find anything ( he was very rude to me during this meeting). On my next appointment with him he showed me the results of the MRI and it showed white spots on my brain, some the size of my little finger nail and others of varying sizes. He then did a half hearted examination, pricked the soles of my feet and back of my hands which I felt at that time because I again tried to explain to him that the numbness wasn't there all the time that it came and went in attacks but he is still insisting that I am suffering from Anziety!!!! I told him about the symptoms causing the anziety only when out alone but he still refuses to listen to me. HELP!! what do I do, accept what he is saying or do I ask to be referred. Does anyone on here think it sounds like there is something going on and I have been unfortunate in the doctor that I am seeing and he is not very good. I really don't know what to do please can someone give me some help and advice.
PS Forgot to say, I have been ill for two weeks with the worst Vertigo attack, I do also suffer from dizziness and vertigo but this is by far the worst one yet and when I lie down in bed the jerking is worse than ever also.

MSJayhawk · 02-18-2009, 06:48 AM

It is unfortunate that you are in the health system which props up such doctors. Are you in a position to seek other neurologists? If you are, then I would do another search. Contact your MS society there in the UK and request their assistance. I am sure they have heard similar stories.

Your medications may always stand in your way, but proper testing should allow you to get a proper diagnosis.

MarinaO · 02-18-2009, 07:11 AM

Thank you JayHawk, I will, I didn't know I could just contact our MS society without a proper diag. Since my posting this morning my Doctor has been in touch and are just as disgusted by my treatment and are refferring me to another hospital and Neurologist. Incidently my own doctors know that I am not suffering from Anxiety (I mean as the main illness) they know that the depression has been brought on by the other symptoms. I know this all sounds confusing but I had develloped the symptoms (pins and needles, cramps etc) over time and then because I had been suffering so badly for such a long time the depression and anxiety came along. But thinking about it I remember reading somewhere that you can also get Depression with MS

MSJayhawk · 02-18-2009, 09:27 AM

That is some good news; you are blessed to have some angels on your side. Yes, depression is a problem that enjoins itself to MS. Sometimes I think that the depression suffered is a result of not knowing or waiting eons for a diagnosis. Limbo is stressful and can result in anxiety or depression or both!!

I believe that you may find that your anxiety decreases when you finally get through the dilemma of not knowing.

The MS Society there in the UK is fairly well organized. I would think that they would help you find the right doctor. Because of your suspect symptoms, they should help you. They are there to help guide you in the right direction. Contact them, explain your situation, and I believe they will assist you. Your own doctors might be able to better assist you with a referral because they are speaking doctor to doctor. Still, I would check with the society and get a list of good doctors dealing with MS. Then you can take this list to your doctor and have him refer you to someone on the list.

MarinaO · 02-19-2009, 03:39 PM

Hi, well, in between times, the day before yesterday I got a call from the original hospital calling me in for another MRI on my neck.I explained to them that I was being referred to another hospital, anyway the nurse asked me to speak to my doctor, she seemed quite insistant that I should have this MRI done. Anyway I call my doctor and he said it wouln't hurt to go ahead with it in case I have a long wait to see the new Neurologist.
So yesterday I go for this MRI and I was in that tube for over an hour.......Nightmare!! Halfway through they pull me out and call a doctor in who asks me if it is OK to put an injection in my arm??? I'm guessing it was the dye for the contrast, right? then in I go for another what seems like forever LOL. I found it a bit odd because I don't think they had planned to give the contrast when I first went because they would have said at the beginning of the MRI. So now I'm left wondering if they found anything, do you get MS lesions in the neck? I did wonder if it couldbe a trapped nerve or somthing but there is much more going on. I just feel in my bones that I have MS, I don't know why but it's just a feeling. I know that the symptoms could point to something else but I just seem to have classic test book symptoms

I'm sounding like a doctor now Ha ha.