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Originally Posted by legzzalot
He's been insisting on the spinal from the beginning. Now he wants to do it before tuesday b/c he wants to start steroids and he doesn't want he steroids to effect the spinal.I am not too worried about getting the test, i am used to pain, but all of this has happened so fast. .
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Ask him then . . . "if the spinal comes back negative for O-bands, is that going to change the dx or treatment options made available to me?" I'd almost bet he says "no".
It seems he is either very old-fashioned (spinal taps haven't been required in years, unless there isn't the type of GLARING evidence that you obviously have), or he is doing some study and using you as a guinea pig.
Spinal taps are invasive, and can be very difficult. Mine put me in the hospital in the brain trauma unit for a week. Of course this is not at all typical!!!!. . . but it happens. The "norm" is that people have at least some amount of unpleasant side-effects though, so why get one if it is not at all necessary?
Quote:
Originally Posted by legzzalot
The results from the first MRI came in on halloween. And if the steroids will help with the numbness, then I am ok with it, but I am beyond stressed and have been for the last 2 weeks to the point it hurts to sit stand lay down. When i sleep i wake up feeling like all of my joints and my spine were frozen overnight and they do not want to cooperate. And he is not offering any anti anxiety meds or anything for the pain. And the 45 mile commute each way sucks when you can't feel the pedals and I swear I have spent the last week staring at my computer screen and zoning out I cannot seem to focus on anything lately and I know it's the stress.
The other thing I am confused about is he says the radiologist that read the MRI is counting more than he is seeing so I don't even know if 7 is accurate. I pick up my copies of the MRI on Tuesday, or whatever day they do the spinal.There is no definite anything with this disease and I feel like a lab rat.
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Steroids are not normally recommended for "sensory" (spinal lesion) attacks, so again this is not necessary. The neuros will give them too you, but they have never proven helpful when the cause is spinal lesion activity. Did you happen to read the thread I posted about JoeMac's experience last summer?
I know how bad you are feeling right now, and my heart goes out to you.
These attacks normally escalate over 4 - 6 weeks, then take 4 - 6 weeks to get through the worst of the recovery. Depending on how severe it gets (it may ultimately pan out as minor, moderate or severe), you might not be able to keep on working (or even driving) throughout.
Please try to plan for some down time, perhaps 2++ weeks, and to have a support system ready just in case . . .
The mental confusion/brainfog is a very normal part of these kind of attacks too. It is not so much anxiety, although that might play into things too if you are that way inclined. I am not though, and my brain was mush too.
Cherie
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I am not a Neurologist, Physician, Nurse, or Hairdresser ... but I have learned that it is not such a great idea to give oneself a haircut after three margaritas
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