[holdingontohope]

Well please forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong area. I had my first appt with a neuro last Thursday because my rheumy felt that I had many symptoms that were neurological and questioned neuropathy and/or MS. Well I wrote down all my symptoms and conditions even if not neuro related and took them with me...I had 50 total (nice long list for a 29 year old). The doctor talks to me a few minutes and then does the physical exam.

Afterward he tells me that everything seems normal. He believes me that I have the symptoms but thinks its psychological!! So in other words he doesn't believe me...He said he would do MRI because I have never had one but that he thinks it will be normal. Yes I have bipolar and fibromyalgia but that doesn't mean everything I ever complain of can be said its in my head!! What is with these doctors?!?! I get so frustrated...Anyway thanks for listening to my vent. I have been down since my appt and not really sure what I will do next. Guess wait for MRI results.

[Kitty]

This same post is in The Stumble Inn, too. I copied it over here to the MS forum because I thought it might get more views and replies if it were here, too.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread160725.html

[Jodylee]

Hi hope . I got the 'it's all in your head' diagnosis too. About 15 years later I got the real diagnosis. Good luck, hon.

[Lynn]

Hi there

Nce to meet you. When you go to a doc and feel that you are not believed it is a horrible experience - and it makes you doubt yourself. I had lots and lots of little things that I mentioned to doctors before I was diagnosed, and they looked at me with that 'yeah sure' look in their eyes.

So I gave up after the first couple of times, because I was starting to believe that I really was a hypochondriac. Guess I got the last laugh though, because when I had my first 'major' relapse, it was undeniably obvious, and the MRI totally confirmed that I not only had MS, but that I had dozens of lesions - and some of them for a long time before this attack.

I hope for your sake that this is something else, but if not, and it is MS, welcome and stick around this is a really lovely and supportive group.

Regards

Lyn

[Geraldine]

I honestly cannot remember what my exact symptoms were when I went to a neurologist a few years ago. Tingling in hand, or tingling on face? Tingling on head maybe. I can't remember WHEN it was either, but I did go to one, because I was worried about MS, and after a short exam and some questions, was told that everything was normal, that it was probably caused by my fibromyalgia. I have been told MANY times that things are probably my fibromyalgia. The result is I haven't gone to a different neurologist. Every time I have felt burning or tingling, I think it's my fibromyalgia. Well, now I have peripheral neuropathy that has spread in 4 months from a toe to include both my entire feet, some of the ankles, shoulders, face and hands. I wish the doctors hadn't been so quick to tell me it's just fibromyalgia.

I will be going to a new neurologist end of December. I am worried about the cost, I don't have real insurance. I have already spent a ton trying to get doctors to believe I have a hormonal issue. Nobody took me seriously, not even an endocrinologist, so I went to an anti-aging doc. Yes, I have hormonal issues too, it just took getting someone to run the right tests. People think I'm crazy because they can't SEE that I'm sick. My foot problem was originally diagnosed as ingrown toenails!

[doydie]

Holdingontohope, my sister has fibromyalgia and it is just amazing when we talk about our symptoms that they can be so similar. Just as long as you get help for your symptoms. That's the main thing. If this doctor doesn't help, find one that will.

[Debbie D]

I have fibro also...and many of my symptoms were attributed to it. It took me at least 3 years after my first real MS symptom (numb toes) before I was put on MS meds...
Keep a symptom journal with dates of onset & dissipation of symptoms so when you do see a doc you have documentation.
It is also wise to keep a daily log of how you are feeling, just for your records. Not to focus on illness, but so that you see how you are doing. Record also when you feel good!!

[holdingontohope]

Originally Posted by doydie

Holdingontohope, my sister has fibromyalgia and it is just amazing when we talk about our symptoms that they can be so similar. Just as long as you get help for your symptoms. That's the main thing. If this doctor doesn't help, find one that will.

Yes they are similar in many ways. I found out when going to my new rheumy for the fibro that when they rule out lupus they usually rule out MS too, but they never did for me. He also was suspicious of my symptoms saying that some of them couldn't be explained by fibro and seemed more neurological. I do trust his assessment as he is well known nationally as a doctor and researcher. He knows his stuff. He doesn't doubt I have fibro but thinks there is much more going on with me. I won't stop til I have answers or have turned over every stone.

[Toooldforthis]

Hi, I'm new on here too. I was just reading a few threads and going to introduce myself under new people, when I found what you wrote. I had the same problem, for 10 years. Everything was in my head, fibro, or possible bipolor. Then a year and a half ago, Dr #4 found my thyroid numbers were off. Once on meds for it, it has really helped some of my problems. Now, I'm still having issues with balance, double vision, tight muscles, sudden pains in my head, and a few other great things that I've had for around 5 years. So my new Dr is sending me to a neuro with specialty in MS. She thinks this may be the other part to my puzzle. I see him in Feb. But anyway . . .I wanted to tell you about the thyroid. I wish my Dr would of ran the bloodwork for it 10 years ago.

[holdingontohope]

Originally Posted by Toooldforthis

Hi, I'm new on here too. I was just reading a few threads and going to introduce myself under new people, when I found what you wrote. I had the same problem, for 10 years. Everything was in my head, fibro, or possible bipolor. Then a year and a half ago, Dr #4 found my thyroid numbers were off. Once on meds for it, it has really helped some of my problems. Now, I'm still having issues with balance, double vision, tight muscles, sudden pains in my head, and a few other great things that I've had for around 5 years. So my new Dr is sending me to a neuro with specialty in MS. She thinks this may be the other part to my puzzle. I see him in Feb. But anyway . . .I wanted to tell you about the thyroid. I wish my Dr would of ran the bloodwork for it 10 years ago.

I was diagnosed with thyroid issues before bipolar, fibro, and my whole list of stuff. I have never seen an improvement on the thyroid meds either. Thank you for the suggestion though!