Clumsiness?
- In my early 30’s, I went to a woman doctor due to repeated falls and awkwardness. My right shin and ankle were in bandages and my body was decorated with many stitches! I told her about my falls since college—usually going up and down stairs or playing sports—and my reputation as a klutz who couldn’t dance or walk well! I also told her I ran 5 miles daily and had fallen tearing a ligament in right foot twice! I asked, “Am I just clumsy?” She looked at me incredulously and with pity on her face told me some people were just clumsy! She suggested I do things more slowly and stop and think before I walked! She also suggested not wearing high heels and getting more rest. I never went back. I did, however, stop taking ballet after my instructor told me I might be happier with some other hobby! Twenty five years later, with two knee replacements and many corrective surgeries, I was finally diagnosed with MS!
- —kmacmuth
bcbvgb@slingshot.co.nz
- I have a question,please. I have been told that MS affects heart rate ( mine consistently runs at 55pm ) and when I go for blood tests the nurse always has a problem finding a vein. She says this is probably the MS. Is this true and does anyone else have the same problem?? Thank you for any help you can give, bcbvgb.
- —bcbvgb
Blessed
- I feel so sorry for all who have had these terrible experience with stupid doctors. I started have major numbness around ten years ago on a friday night . On monday I called my PCP and saw him that day. He order blood tests and an MRI and refered my to a neuro. Because of a holiday I wasn't able to see him until that Thursday. On Friday I had more MRI's and a lumbar puncture. On the following Monday I was at the neuros office for my diagnosis. I don't know what other type of quacks are out there but I know that my docs are awesome. They always give me as much time as I'm willing to take.
- —Guest choneyup
Healthcare in America
- My story is an allegory about the healthcare system. Greed is good. I have had symptoms of MS since I was born. I'm 44, and I still no diagnosis. A LOT of tests, doctor visits, surgeries, and meds! 10 surgeries before age 5, and 2 at 16 (my mother's cadillac insurance.) First job out of college, my underinsurance got an out-patient surgery where I was shoved out the door not able to stay awake from the anesthesia! After that, diagnosed CFS because I was falling asleep at work for a month. I can't work. I get sick often, get better, and then get sick again (ie no health insurance since 29.) A year ago I got insurance through a friend. Got an MRI and back to the useless healthcare grind. Now, doctor says to lose weight and exercise more (ie you're fat and lazy.) Suicide, maybe. My family won't listen to anyone but a doctor. But I can't get a diagnosis, and I don't see myself as a throw-away lab rat!
- —Guest LD
10+ years...22 doctors
- My husband began suffering MS symptoms over 10 years (although at that time we had no idea these were symptoms of MS). Then his younger brother was diagnosed about 8 or so years ago. We asked if this could be the possible cause of all these symptoms. The doctor did blood work and told us that "nope...you don't have MS". Still believing at that time that we could trust what we were told by a doctor...we took that in stride and continued on our search for answers. Now, 10+ years and 21 doctors later, we finally have a diagnosis...MS. We have been unsatisfied with the care of doctor #21 and so have just switched again...#22 seems to be "THE ONE".
- —eviekolbeck
no insurance
- I could have been diag. in 1991 if my husband and I had insurance. His work did not offer it at that time. Doctors did not want to iook at Me without it. A lot of wasted time until diag. in 2008!
- —Guest lynnemrt
On my 4th still looking
- Y'all had much worse experiences than I did. For 4 years most symptoms I experienced disbelieved. Found out not "imagining" when I began reading the literature and the blogs. Now, believe myself.
- —Guest Guest HM
so many doctors no answers
- I had an episode with my right arm in sept 08. I have had problems with both feet since 04-dx back problems. I went for a MRI of my neck in Oct 08. a lesion was found, referred to neuorsurgen 1. had MRI w/contrast of head. more lesions found -have MS. refered to N2 for treatment. N2 said no MS symtoms-have carpel tunnel. had 2nd MRI.went to N3 Yes MS refer to N4, yes MS, refer to N5 closer home for treatment-N5. N5 ordered spinal tap and also don't get MS at my age. lab did not run all test but offered to pay for another. N5 said no need -ST did not show MS. Primary Dr did some blood work. said I have an auto Immune but thinks it is CREST. sent to a Rheumytoid- more blood work-all test good but I have a Vit D diffecency. What next? Where do I go from here?
- —gail00893
They rolled their eyes
- I had been having vision problems and went to doctor after doctor. They would ask me questions and the second I said my sister has MS (never once did I think I did) they would totally change and some even rolled their eyes. I was never sent for a test until one doctor noticed a 'thing' with my one eye and referred me to my neuro. While waiting for that I got sick of the crap one day and went to the doctor, and after telling me that what I was experiencing was impossible, he sent me to an opthalmologist who then sent me for an MRI as what was going on had nothing to do with my eyes. It was then and only then did I get to my diagnosis, it only took 2 years!!! I just don't think a doctor should be allowed to roll their eyes at you or tell you something in impossible, YOU KNOW YOUR OWN BODY, why is that hard to understand?? :-o
- —Guest Dodi
WAITED 18 MONTHS
- I visited a well respected Physical Rehabilitationist after an 18 month wait. He yawned continuously and loudly, shaking his head from time to time apparently to stay alert. After 45 minutes, he announced loudly that "he had nothing further to add", and indicated that I should leave. I was so confused and flabbergasted, I complied and left. Wow, what was that about!
- —Guest Canuckette
Jensequitur
- I was diagnosed in 2007 with MS, but since then my neuro hasn't really been as informed as I'd prefer. I told him about my cognitive problems - he said I was just confused. I told him about the weird spasms and tingling in my back, and he scheduled me for a thoracic .7 Tesla open MRI. I wasn't surprised when the MRI showed nothing - some neuros won't even bother with the 1.5T MRI for spinal imaging. Since he's a teaching doctor, this concerns me, and I'm on a very slow search for a new neuro.
- —Guest Jensequitur
Doctors
- My diagnosis came from a physiatrist when my gp and rheumatologist could not tell me what was wrong w/ me. Fibromyalgia, polymylgia rheumatica and oh the best- "you need the services of a mental health prfessional". Accept you are getting older and real life isn't like House. We dont usually solve these problems in an hour. referred to st neurologist - said "hope you have a mortgage because once I make this diagnosis you"ill never get one!" Great statement to make to after ms diagnosis. Handed me a bag of Rebif materials and said come back in one month" never returned. 2nd neuro - ok. My 3rd and last (I hope) is a rock star. So patient and kind and answers as many questions as I have. Taking tysabri and get infused in his office. Sticks his head in each month and chats/ I have never found a question he could not answer. thank my lucky stars. Hope this health reform doesn't force me to another neuro. I agree--you know your own body, search for a good doc-they do exist.
- —Guest Guest6003
Doctors
- My diagnosis came from a physiatrist when my gp and rheumatologist could not tell me what was wrong w/ me. Fibromyalgia, polymylgia rheumatica and oh the best- "you need the services of a mental health prfessional". Accept you are getting older and real life isn't like House. We dont usually solve these problems in an hour. referred to st neurologist - said "hope you have a mortgage because once I make this diagnosis you"ill never get one!" Great statement to make to after ms diagnosis. Handed me a bag of Rebif materials and said come back in one month" never returned. 2nd neuro - ok. My 3rd and last (I hope) is a rock star. So patient and kind and answers as many questions as I have. Taking tysabri and get infused in his office. Sticks his head in each month and chats/ I have never found a question he could not answer. thank my lucky stars. Hope this health reform doesn't force me to another neuro. I agree--you know your own body, search for a good doc-they do exist.
- —Guest Guest6003
Many Scars
- I am sure that my first episode was in 2000. My family doctor sent me to a Neurologist who sent me for a battery of tests...spinal taps, veps, mri with and withou contract *6, HIV, chest X rays, multiple blood tests etc. etc. He prescribed STEROIDS after the results of numerous MRIs said " Shows lesions but does not have the 'tempo' of Multiple Sclerosis. I stopped taking the steroids after some blindness began and he sent me to at Optometist then an Opthamologist who prescribed glasses. I had just had enough. Enough to last me the lifetime that MS is. I decided to stop the steroids, because the doctor never explained what was happening, never explained MS. I compensated for the next 8 years. In 2008. I went into the hospital suffering with seizures. After 13 days the same Neurologist referred me to a trainee who gave me my MS diagnosis.I demanded to see the Neurologist he calmly said "I do not know why you are so emotional Ms. Smith, I told you that you had Multiple Sclerosis in 2000.
- —nats39
maggie renee
- I went to my PC because I had a headache. I had no symptoms of anything so he ordered a CT to make sure I had no brain tumors. CT showed I had multiple lesions. He said my brain looks like "swiss cheese". MRI confirmed the lesions. Sent me to a neuro, who performed the lumbar puncture that came back very positive. Because I had no symptoms they didn't want to start any medication. This dragged on for 6 months before I went to see a MS specialist who said meds should have been started and because of the delay in treatment I developed more new lesions. Lesson learned is to get a second opinion. Be pro active. The first doctor was not taking any postive steps to keep me symptom free. He said wait till you have issues then come back. New doctor is saying "lets keep you sypmtom free as long as possible and started copaxone.
- —Guest mcoins
