[Juniebear]

So, I am not yet diagnosed officially. My PCP says 98% sure it is MS. The first neurologist I've seen was rude and did not listen. She seemed fixated on the 'crawly' feelings and didn't address anything else. She said since my MRI showed only 1 lesion it cannot be MS and did no further testing. Blood tests cleared mimicers like lyme and lupus.

Anyway, the neurologist prescribed gabapentin for my crawling feelings. I've heard it also works for the nerve pain. However, I will be seeing a new neurologist the end of July. So, wondering on the more experienced people's thoughts on this...

Do I take the gabapentin and hopefully get some relief between now and my July appointment with the new neurologist? OR do I just try and deal with it until I've been seen? I do not want to "cover up" anything and make diagnosis harder for the new specialist; but some relief of the pain and crawling would be nice. I am able to deal with it though if it will make finding out what is wrong with me easier for the next doctor.

My PCP says it really is up to me, but he thought not taking the meds would be best and not distort anything for the new doctor.

Thoughts/Advice?

[SallyC]

One thing, you can be sure that gabapentin will not cure MS.
If it's there now, then it will still be there in July. If it works
to help alleviate your symptom, then use it. If not, then stop.

It shouldn't make any difference to the new Doc. As a matter
of fact, if it works, tell him/her. It may help to prove that
you do have MS.

[GladysD]

I forget the correct acronym. It's when there is only one lesion or maybe just a couple and there has only been one document case? What is that, CIS? Clinically Isolated Syndrome.

Granted, it's not starting any of the CRABs, but the Gabapentin sounds like it was prescribed to help with the symptoms you are feeling. Even, if you were on a CRAB, you'd still be susceptible to MS related symptoms and would need to treat those symptoms, as they come. CRABs are only designed to help slow the progression of the Disease, not cure it, and there's still no guarantees that you won't have another flare up or develop another lesion on your brain.

That's what is so miserable about this illness. Let's hope and pray, yours isn't this illness

Originally Posted by Juniebear

So, I am not yet diagnosed officially. My PCP says 98% sure it is MS. The first neurologist I've seen was rude and did not listen. She seemed fixated on the 'crawly' feelings and didn't address anything else. She said since my MRI showed only 1 lesion it cannot be MS and did no further testing. Blood tests cleared mimicers like lyme and lupus.

Anyway, the neurologist prescribed gabapentin for my crawling feelings. I've heard it also works for the nerve pain. However, I will be seeing a new neurologist the end of July. So, wondering on the more experienced people's thoughts on this...

Do I take the gabapentin and hopefully get some relief between now and my July appointment with the new neurologist? OR do I just try and deal with it until I've been seen? I do not want to "cover up" anything and make diagnosis harder for the new specialist; but some relief of the pain and crawling would be nice. I am able to deal with it though if it will make finding out what is wrong with me easier for the next doctor.

My PCP says it really is up to me, but he thought not taking the meds would be best and not distort anything for the new doctor.

Thoughts/Advice?

[NurseNancy]

i agree with sally. if it works/helps your sx's that may help your case.
why be miserable if the med helps you.

in the meantime, get copies of your mri's and reports to show to the new dr.
start a medical file on yourself. it's easier to do this from the beginning as you go along then to try to catch up with files over time.

i'm only a big stickler on this because when i applied for ssdi i had my drs send in their paperwork. only to find out when i was denied that they didn't get vital information from several drs. if i had had the information for myself i could have sent in a complete set of information and maybe gotten approved my 1st try. who knows.

let us know how you do.