I agree your current doctors are IDIOTS.
I went to my Chiropractor when I started going numb down my right side. He would not even touch me until I saw a Neurologist. That was a good call. Your doc is a fool.
Don't be scared and read my notation at the bottom of my screen.....it is very true!

jenn,

welcome to NT.
take a breath. i do have MS and the best advice i could give you is to take things one day at a time. just deal with what's in front of you and let the rest go.

your chiro was acting unprofessionally to guess at a diagnosis.
as to your other dr, anyone that brushes you off and doesn't listen to you doesn't deserve to be on your medical team. search out drs that try to validate you and help, and to allay fears.

and i agree about not listening to other's opinions and stories. it's common for people to share stories and make suggestions. all of which may just frighten you. and think twice about sharing such personal medical information in your work environment. IF anything is wrong you may not want that info out there.

we're a good source of support and info. i hope your neuro appt goes well.
try to bring a friend or family member with you for another set of ears. if not write down what the dr says. that will help you remember when you get home.

hope to hear more about how you are.

Welcome to NT...lots of info, support, laughs and hugs here...

I'd ditto the above advice. It took many of us YEARS to get an answer to all of our strange symptoms.

As noted above, write symptoms down with dates of onset and dissipation. Also, write down questions you have for any docs you see. And write down their answers. Many of us forget what to ask or what's said in the exam room.

Don't listen to your "friends"...listen to your gut. Try to be patient...and always try to find good doctors. You have to be your own advocate...don't be afraid to confront docs with your doubts!!

Keep us informed about what's going on...

Being sick with something is like being pregnant. Everyone has a terrible story about labor or something related to tell you,

Bette Davis said old age ain't for sissies. Neither is being sick. Stand tough.

I have numb feet, from peripheral neuropathy. PN can come from MS, from diabetes, from Polycythemia Vera, from a stroke, from Shingles....many causes. As others said, an MS dx usually comes slowly. In my case I got an MS dx, then a Porphyria dx, and much more recently a Polycythemia Vera dx (in PV, too high numbers of platelets and red cells). So I have three things at least which can cause numb feet. I didn't get the numb feet as my first symptom, however. I had other things, weak hands, the fast pulse, the dizziness, meandering walk, etc. My symptoms at dx were eye trouble, which is usually easier to fit into an MS diagnosis.

I won't add any more comments to those already given on the inadequacies of the medical people and the work-mates. But perhaps it wasn't too vile of the chiro to ask you to look for MS? He shouldn't have said outright that you have it, however.

Thank you everyone for your support. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. I went and had an MRI done on Thursday - my neurologist scheduled it but I don't visit him for 2 weeks to get the results. But I have the images on a CD. Could someone please tell me if you can read the pictures?

I am not sure if I have a herniated disk or not. What if it is? Can it be fixed?

I had an anxiety attack last night when i was out with my friends. I couldn't breathe and started sobbing hysterically. It was embarrassing.

**

Jenna- no one here reads MRI's and we wouldn't be allowed to even if we had that skill.

The pictures one sees of their own brain are fairly scary even if normal, I think.

The neuro should go over any findings w you. Please let us know.
ANN

Jenna - Sorry this is causing you so much anxiety. Keep reminding yourself that whatever it is, you are going to be ok. Think positive. I know it's hard when you have all sorts of crazy stuff going on and thinking positive seems like a battle. Also, we are all here to help you through what ever the results may be.

As for the MRI, Ann is correct. We would not, even if qualified, be able to read the MRI. If you are concerned about it, you can always call the drs. office and discuss it with him/her or the nurse/med. assistant.

As for the herniated disc, I know several people that resolved theirs by doing physical therapy as opposed to surgery. But, should you have a herniated disc, follow the advice of your physician(s) (you may want to get 2nd opinions if they suggest surgery as your only option).

Good luck and let us know how things are going for you.

jenn,

no, you can't read the pictures, too complicated and you'd need yrs of training plus medical school. that's why radiologists are drs.

yes, herniated discs can be tx'd. the dr will know what to do.

please take some deep breathes and take one thing and one day at a time.
that advice has kept me sane. there's just no sense in trying to forecast the future and the what if's. just deal with what's in front of you at the time.

if you can do that YOU will be in control and things won't control you.
i found that if i could come up with a plan if ABorC happened i felt more in control. say, if i fell down and couldn't reach the phone. then, i could get one of those buttons that summon help. it's those kinds of things that calm fears.