Hey guys, my name is Rick. I figured I'd post here to maybe just have a talk.

The last 6 months of my life have been quite interesting, a bunch of ups and downs. I have a not so good doctor and all they've done is the normal tests.. blood, ekg, etc, and I come back perfectly healthy. I'm an active 29yo 6'2 190lb, outgoing, very social.

About 6 months ago I started getting random dizzy spells. It would be a few mins of disorientation and it would go away and really no energy or drive. Had all sorts of blood tests done, 100% healthy just blood pressure a tad low. The doc thought I might have had hypothyroidism but my blood came back all good. I would have spirts of dizzy spells, tingling all over, cold intolerance (dizzy under a cold AC vent but that's gone now), and like I can't get enough air (but no asthma and my heart is good). I have to remind myself to eat/drink because I don't ever feel hungry or thirsty. After about 2 months of that, it goes away!

What I don't have:
No skin rashes
No joint/muscle pain
I love being in the sun
No constipation
I sleep like a baby



Now it's back. Some days are okay, some are not. Today would be one of them. Just a general feeling of fatigue, dizzy, lack of concentration, pins and needles randomly everywhere (drives me nuts!!), twitching, blurred vision that comes and goes, no appetite what so ever. I find that if things really start getting bad going for a walk and just moving around helps a bunch. When I sit around (like typing this) is when things start acting up worse. My lack of eating and when I do weird schedules and crap food have caused me to get acid reflux! ha. Go figure.

I work for a small company so no insurance. I'm just kinda wondering what direction I should take.

Welcome to Neurotalk Rick. It seems that there is something neurological going on there. Have you seen a Neuro, had an MRI or any of the tests that Neuros like to do?

If not, I would suggest that your Reg Doc sends you to a good Neuro for evaluation and a possible diagnosis,

Let us know how it goes and best wishes.

Hi Rick --

Sorry for your symptoms and ins. issues, but glad you found us. I hope you'll stick around so we can get to know you better.

BTW, I'll take one of your symptoms: the one where you have to "remind yourself to eat." Yep, I could sure benefit from that one, lol!

Welcome to NT! Now go eat something!





Brat.

Sound like you're at the beginning of a wild ride going somewhere not so great. My suggestions for what they're worth. Having medical problems is very expensive, especially when you're so young.

- Life insurance if needed - Later if you're diagnosed, you can't get.

- Medical insurance before diagnosis. Expensive - Yes. But medical stuff can be much more expensive. I'm PPMS and never remit and there are no meds available to me. If you are MS, sounds RR. A med may (MAY) help and there are outrageously expensive.

- Disability insurance - Job specific. Again expensive but if needed can make a difference.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is Me. The best doctors in the world can't predict the future.

Welcome...lots of info and support here...

I agree with Kicker. Before you get diagnosed, GET INSURANCE! I can no longer get life insurance or long term insurance (for nursing home, home care, etc) due to the dx of MS.

It will be much less expensive if you get private health insurance now.

Once you get it, obtain copies of your records of all tests and reports from your doc.
Keep a sympotm journal of dates of onset of symptoms, and when they go away.
Also list questions for your doc appointments.

Then...find a neurologist who is well-versed in neurologic diseases like MS.

Good luck...keep us posted...

hi rick,

welcome to NT. i agree with all the above advice.
the sx (symptom) journal will be important info for your dr.
keep it daily with the date and sx's you have. if you notice the sx under certain circumstances (like AC) write that down too.

often the quest for answers is time consuming but don't give up.
you are on the right track. keep us posted.

Welcome! I hope you find support and comfort here.

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You found a site with lots of good folks and information. Anytime there is a dizzy feeling I think neurological. So I agree with Sally, that your primary care doctor could send you to a nerurologist. Being dizzy can effect your appetite. I know about not having insurance, but in this case, it would put you at ease if you had a good work up. Also a gastrointerologist, or Upper GI doctor, can address that gastric reflux. That plus the loss of appetite he can address. Acid reflux if left go long enough can cause some unpleasant problems. Your doctor can help you get that under control too. I do wish you all the best. I hope that you are able to find out what is wrong, so that you can go on to your active lifestyle. ginnie

Welcome to the forum. Sorry it had to be under these circumstances. Yes get all the ins. you can before an official diagnosis. You pretty much have to be destitute for alot of the payment assistance programs. Do alot of research on the meds cause they are expensive. Having MS is expensive; physically, mentally and monetary wise. I know waiting on a definitive diagnosis is nerve racking. But it's better to have your ducks all lined up before you take a shot. I have health ins. and the co-pays are killing me. What they charge for an MRI will buy a nice used car. I'm complaining only paying my deductible and co-pay. Imagine if you have to pay $10K for an MRI. Or the full price for a DMD. You're looking at over $30K a year. Gilenya is about $165 a pill and they're being investigated due to some deaths.

Good Luck!!

Hi again Rick. I actually had help with my MRI with an agency in the hospital. There is help available if you search for it. There are patient advocacy groups in communities. I also had much of my first spinal fusion paid for by asking the doctor to come down on price. Some neurologists will do the same if they know you don't have insurance. While you are young, you should look into getting insurance. The older you are the harder it is to get. ginnie