Thanks guys. Truly, thank you ALL for your input and advice! I have an appt with my internist on Tuesday to see about a more extensive thyroid test, and I will seek out a new neurologist and rheumatologist, but what exactly does a rheumatologist help with? I remember my mom had one for minor arthritis. I'm about to take my teaching certification exam in mid Aug, so ideally id like to get that done before seeing a neuro again just in case something comes up positive I don't want to know before that huge exam. Sounds silly, but I know me and I know what it'll do to me. I know several of you have said its not the end of your life but the things that have happened to me - such as the excruciatingly painful shocks, and my leg collapsing on me scares me that that's just another neuro symptom that can happen again without warning. They haven't come again but I can't get a peaceful mind, thinking what if that wasn't a one time thing? I'm an extremely active female in my mid 20s and I fear I won't be able to do the active things I love anymore if an MRI ever comes out positive. I also read a case where someone can't see well anymore and are in a wheelchair. I know everyone's different but it scares the heck out of me. I'm sorry, I don't want to be one of those annoying people, I just don't know much about this at all, unlike a lot of you who are already diagnosed. My previous Neuro who was an MS specialist didnt even tell me this COULD come about later on down the road after my MRIs came back clear. He just said "no MS" and sent me on my way. It wasn't until I came here and read that for a lot of you it took years before getting a diagnosis, and that also scares me because it tells me this may not be over, unlike I thought.

A few more questions I hope someone can help me answer...

1. By the McDonald criteria, when it talks about having proof that it occurred at 2 different times, are they talking about getting proof from the MRI, or the same symptom occurring twice at two separate times? I've had that with numbness.

2. Has anyone experienced the shock pains? It's not something I've ever read anyone having before. It's not like Lhermitte's sign. This was localized in my inner calf and was not a result of me moving my head or neck.

3. Is it possible to be having all these typical MS type symptoms and it really not be MS, or is it just a matter of time before the diagnosis?

Thanks everyone. Just trying to educate myself more here. And Natalie8 - Haven't been on a antidepressent in 7 yrs, but I heard they can cause hair loss. GladysD - I thought about seeing a chiro, but I had an MRI last yr of my low back and it was normal. Maybe I should still go.