Hi, I've been lurking and reading posts for a couple of days now, so I figured I should introduce myself. I'm still waiting for a DX on what is going on with me, so I'm not really sure what group to keep in contact with. I'm a dog trainer, but have had to give up my work because of my mobility and eye problems. I still advise people through a weekly article I write for a local paper and e-mails, but that doesn't pay the bills. It's frustrating, but I handle things fairly well on a day-to-day basis. I keep busy with training my own dogs, one in particular to be a service dog. I would like a name for what is going on, but at the same time, am happy that a label with no cure hasn't been given to it all.

I have tingling/numbness in my right shoulder blade and hand and foot, a shuffling/stiff gait, fatigue, balance problems, shaky hands, headaches, and double vision. There's a few other things that come and go. I went to the doc in Sept. 06 thinking I had an inner ear infection due to the balance problems, and thought the tingling was from back problems. Neither has proven to be the answer. MRIs and bloodwork have come up negative. Muscle and nerve conduction tests showed some muscle problems (muscles were too active when they should be quiet?). I'm waiting for an appoint. with movement specialist at UVA.

The scary part is everything has progressed so rapidly. I walked into the doctor's office in September unassisted, and now I'm using a walker or a wheelchair. Everyone I've read about seems to have progressed much slower. I can pinpoint some earlier symptoms that I didn't connect together until all this started, but the mobility part has just hit me so quickly, my head is spinning (literally).

I don't expect to get a lot of answers from this board, but thought it would be helpful to read what others are going through. If nothing else, perhaps I can contribute to the pets and service dog area!