LOL, Sal, you're an easy mark. DM and I often go off on our little tangents but we'll try to keep them appropriately harnessed.

Jalee, I'm guessing you're a refugee from PT, I think I remember you. That was an odd turn of events but this place is fun too. I'm not sure about Sally yet, I'm treading water with this one.

I love being an easy mark..

Jalee and I met at BT and continued our friendship at PT and it continues....I hope.

Hey did someone mention weapons?????

You know what that word does to me............
*now where is that cabnit key and that bouncing target*

Ooooooh, good point FFM! I'll have to go capture us a target on yonder website! You know where that little bugger lives.

*fetching a few more boxes of fresh rounds*

Here's the little bugger!

*yelling into megaphone*

Open season! Fire at will!!!

Hi all! I'm not a new member, but apparently I never posted in this thread yet. Some of you may recognize my name.

I am not diagnosed with anything. Symptoms since 1999, although dizziness and achiness since the 1980s. A neurologist in 2000 all but told me I had MS (scaring me spitless), then acted like he'd never said it. I've had MRIs with nonspecific "spots," but never had an LP nor VEPs. The auditory EPs were off-the-charts abnormal on both sides, my only really bad test result, but this also is nonspecific.

In 1999 I suddenly lost the hearing in my left ear (when I sneezed hard) and got much dizzier. Before and after the hearing loss I had a cascade of very odd, varied neurological-type symptoms, but all pretty minor. I still sometimes get strange new symptoms, but nothing "big" or tell-tale--just bizarre.

Saw an ENT ear specialist and two neurologists, but no diagnosis. Last neuro visit was in 2003. Hopefully I will never have to see a neurologist again!

Since then I've returned to the neuro-otologist (ear specialist), and between his allergy shots and my excellent blue capsule by the name of Strattera, the dizziness and concentration problems are basically a thing of the past!!

In about three weeks I'm having Doctor Week (not on purpose, it just worked out that way):

If it's Tuesday, this must be the ophthalmologist (yearly visit--last year the guy, bless him, figured out a glasses prescription to get rid of my strange "ghosting" that occurs when I read looking down, even though he and the neuro-ophthalmologist were stumped as to why it happens).

If it's Wednesday, this must be the rheumatologist. My first (and probably last) rheumie visit ever, and I HOPE but don't necessarily expect that he will be able to help me treatment-wise and MAAAYYYBE even a teeny bit diagnosis-wise with the longtime muscle and joint achiness and the "weak" legs and easy fatigue, all of which have gotten worse recently.

I will just be relieved if he doesn't tell me "it's normal," "it's nothing," and doesn't get that little smirk that tells you he's got you ALLLLL figured out just because you're a middle-aged woman with invisible symptoms. But if that happens, well, I guess I'm used to it. I won't let it drive me to the brink this time.

If it's Thursday, this must be the new gynecologist (previous one retired). Thank goodness I have no issues there, although supposedly you are supposed to get postmenopausal bleeding checked out--but everything always turns out to be nothing.

If it's Friday, it's the good ol' yearly smash-o-gram.

Some of my weird symptoms (which are too numerous to list, even in a place where no one is likely to dismiss me as a hypochondriac!) include seven-years-unexplained Lhermitte's, lots of paresthesias (crawling, "cold" or itchy spots, vibrating shin/foot, etc.), electric shocks in my face and elsewhere, and weird "double shocks" that occur simultaneously in a foot and the upper leg, hip, groin, or ribcage of the same side.

I can "push buttons" in one place (e.g., top of my left big toe) and get a simultaneous reaction (shock) in my left elbow and hand! Bizarrely crossed wires, I conclude.

I am in Portland, OR, have kitties and grown-up kids (the grown-up part is still questionable in their early 20s!), and a devoted hubby. Despite the increasing leg heaviness/weakness and lack of muscle stamina, I work part-time as a library clerk in a VERY busy library, and part time doing freelance work (sit-down at the computer, thank goodness!). I love both my jobs and feel very lucky to be functioning so well despite knowing something's wrong.

Best wishes to all,
Nancy T. (age 50--got the AARP invitation, haven't got the colonoscopy invitation yet, but I'm in no hurry! )

Hi, Nancy!

I too, failed to intro myself here. I am Beth and have been dxd with MS for (I can't believe) 10 years now.

Moved out here from OH in 2005. Love, love love it here! I don't work, but had most excellent PT job back in OH. I hated to give it up, but SO lived here and so I followed.

It was a great move. I had lived with family since dxd and they had babied me so much, that I did nothing for myself. My laundry basket was taken up and down stairs. Groceries were carried in for me. Nothing was expected of me such as helping clean or cook.

Since coming out here, I've had to do it all and learn to drive a stick shift too. Whoa! that has been the greatest challenge. I have weakness on my left side and my hands (palms) are so hyper sensitive that touching/holding is so painful. I've not found anything to relieve pain, and not make me so sleepy that I can't function.

I have been reading and posting all month and so enjoy this group. I too live for chocolate and did the dreaded roids 4 times in '06. Found an easy baked custard recipe and ate more then my share.

So weight is an issue. I had planned to start a walking program, but fell, sprained my ankle and rolled over a 3foot retaining wall to the grass below. Walking is going well, but wearing a brace and in pain.

I hope to get to know you all better and keep on keepin on.
Beth

Hi Beth!

It's good here isn't it? I quite like it.

Now about those retaining-wall stunts... no, no!



DaisyMay is our resident stunt woman, she is just busy tending to her dear Mom right now. I nominate you for Understudy!

AMN
I am honored to be nominated. Wish there was a camera rolling, I'm sure a cash prize would have followed. Pastel snowflake pj pants and caveman drawings on a black tee. Plus the drop and slow roll over the edge. To bad, no help is around when you need it. There usually is someone in the complex yard.

Give DM my love and support. I lost my mom to cancer 4 years ago. Cared for her daily and sisters did nightly for her last 3 months. And lots of hugs sending to DM too.
Beth