Thank you all so much for your replies and support...it's nice to know I am not the only one who has dealt with this, and truly saddened that it ever happens to anyone.

I do have some good news! My PCP was willing to back off the contrast, so we were going to schedule an MRI without. (I wanted contrast because I have recent symptoms, and would be more likely to have enhancement on an MRI, which would nail down one of several diagnoses). I contacted the local hospital to schedule the MRI once the insurance preauth was done. I used to work in the Emergency Department as a nurse there, and always knew their staff to be intelligent and truly motivated to take the best care of their patients. When I described my recent symptoms (pain, numbness, lack of coordination, dropping things, weakness nearly to the point of paralysis) the scheduler voiced her concern that the MRI was not approved with contrast. She spoke to the radiologist who simply stated, "We will do the initial scan without contrast. I'll read the scan before she is off the table, and if she needs contrast, I will write the order. The insurance company cannot refuse to authorize contrast if suspicious lesions are seen on a non-contrast scan". Viola! Problem solved. I am scheduled to have the MRI tomorrow. They expidited the scan because they think that a sudden onset of a parasthesia, even when the symptoms are resolving is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.

To be honest, this was my best case scenario. That has not been my experience in the past, (particularly when diagnosing empty sella syndrome) I had to fight for years for a diagnosis other than "We have no idea what's going on, but your pituitary gland doesn't look right." Long story short, when I got static on this one, I was really worried that we wouldn't be able to navigate it before my insurance terminated.

Then, to add the icing on the cake of my day...my husband received a call from his human resources department, informing him that I would have coverage effective Dec. 2. That only leaves me uncovered for one day! (I will stay in a padded room that day to ensure that no mishaps would cause me to break a leg or something!)

It is so comforting to know I have a place to freak out a little when things are not going well. Nursing trains me to be emotionally measured, analytical, and concise. Today I am a person, a patient, and admittedly a little scared. Any type of neuro symptoms can be really frightening, and keeping yourself from imagining the worst case scenario and staying positive during the waiting game is as painful as the disease. It was great to read all of the informative and encouraging posts when I was finally able to log in tonight. (Lost electric due to snow, thus, no internet )

I was unaware that the wait lists in Canada were so incredibly long. That is truly a shame! I can't imagine making people wait for months on end for serious diagnostic exams and follow up. Most of my employment has been for independant hospitals who are concerned about patient satisfaction, but I did work for the state once. Their systems are "efficient" , sterile and unconcerned with the person. They are concerned with statistics and fulfilling the criteria of patient care models. That said, the models do offer more complete and concise diagnostic tests. However, the system trains staff to be more concerned with the stats, then their actual patient care. They are evaluated most heavily on the numbers, and addressing the humanity of the individual is ignored. That said, there are still individuals in these systems that go above and beyond for the people in their care. I am proud to say my husband is one of them. During his evaluation this year, he was commended for his patient relations, which has made his clinic the gold standard for the area. (he has even made "under the radar" home visits to check on patients who didn't have good support...He goes to one patients house every Friday and brings in firewood for the weekend because the patient doesn't have anyone around to help him on the weekends. I actually have treated this man as a patient in the past!)

The bottom line is that he earns their trust. Today, I have been able to trust this support group, my doctor, and the imaging center, and I am grateful to all of you. I do not feel like I am fighting anymore. I feel like I am a member of a team that is truly concerned that I get through this well. It is easy to lose faith in hummanity...today I regained my faith in humanity.

With deepest gratitude,

Tam