[one-more-day]

I have been on this site for my daughter. I started researching my symptoms and it lead me back here. Anyways my symptoms are as follows- tongue numbness and spasms, eye cheek and nose twitching and numbness, sudden urination with no warning, constipation, feet warm to touch but feel like they are in ice, hurts to touch cheek and top of head, hands will shake when trying to do something and then just stop, vertigo, ears ring then hearing loss for about 5 seconds then stops, can't remember things that I should be able to, get confused when speaking, blurred vision, and very painful muscles and joints. These symptoms come and go. My doctor has treated these symptoms and has diagnosed me with vertigo, bells palsy, migraines, arthritis, and muscle spasms. This (MS) is the only diagnoses that has all of my symptoms besides lime disease. My question is when I go to my doctor what do I say? How do I get him to tie the symptoms together without him thinking I am neurotic? Any suggestions?

[Aarcyn]

A lot of other diseases mimic MS.

That being said, you just have to let him know that you want to take your diagnosis to the next level to rule out different things, just to get a good perspective. All may be treated in just the same manner, with all the medication you are currently getting. That is not the point.

Remember that the doctor is supposed to be a partner in your health, not an authority figure.

This approach has always worked for me. I am not shy about saying something if I get the feeling he is brushing me off. But I do not go on the attack, I am calm and consistent.

I do not have problems with my doctors...then again, I am an old lady!

He may want to refer you to a neurologist. Ask for a referral.

[Aarcyn]

oh yeah, that includes FEMALE doctors!

[one-more-day]

Thank you for your reply. I need to think of him that way. That is sometimes hard for me.

[Lady]

Hi and welcome,
Aarcyn had given you great advice. you have to be in control of your health. Don't let them blow you off. You have symptoms, yet unknown, but you still need to find out what is causing them.

A Neuro in a teaching hospital would be a good choice. They see all kinds of different presentations of Neuro diseases and can make a decision on what tests you really need. It may take time. Write down the 5 worst problems that you have. Any more than that they blow you off, time wise.

Have records or test results with you so they can get an idea of what was tested for before. MS is a ruling out of all other diseases. There is no precise test for it. But there are many tests that can rule it in too.

Like a MRI of the Brain, C-spine, and T-spine. Then a Lumbar puncture with a same day blood test to rule out Lyme disease and MS too, in some cases.

I hope you find your answers, it just takes time.

[Dejibo]

We normally tell folks that there are more than 100 diseases that can mimic MS, including Lyme, Lupus, Sjoghren, and the like. Best bet is to seek out an MS center, and make an appointment. They are pretty good at shifting through all of the tests required to make such a diagnosis.

Contact the NMSS.org to search for one in your area.

I hope you start feeling better soon.

[Debbie D]

OMD,
There are many of us here who had symptoms for years before getting an MS diagnosis...years that we could have been treated with meds that would have prevented some present-day symptoms.
Be assertive...if you feel that you aren't being heard by the docs, look elsewhere. Good luck! And keep us informed...

[EricP]

For a year I had symps before I decided to get a check-up. I would be sitting at my computer and everything just seemed to spin... I would get dizzy and when sleeping I would get some bad gripping type feelings with some paralysis... I couldn't move when that happened. For over a year I just ruled it out as "sleep paralysis" My mom told me that happens to her too sometimes. Also I had some "dribbling" problems....not by accident, but after a pee, zipping back up I would get a dribble down the leg. I thought it was stress related so I just used tissues in there and wrote it off. (no I am not embarrassed telling about "that"... who cares?....it happens..why be ashamed..it just makes things harder. I see a URO soon and the neuro was happy I talked to him about it..some people do not then it's to late. The URO will rule out any other problems.

So yes...get in there and tell the doc what you want and get it checked out.... I really wished I went in sooner...... and make sure you tell him everything.... urge incontince is major.... I used to think that I would be wearing huge pads and stuff, but it's not the case....You say you have the urge incontinence so do tell him... don't be embarrassed, because it's very treatable.

((huggs)))

[SallyC]

Welcome, One-more-day,