I'm still having daily numbness from my lower ribs and down, I might stay numb all day/night or I might have days when I wake up OK and I slowly go numb derring the day. It's never so numb that I don't feel anything, I can poke my self with an end of a paper clip (or even a needle) and I don't feel pain, I can feel something touching me and if I hit my leg hard (like running into something) it might hurt but not nearly as much as it would if it wasn't numb.

Now the spinal MRI didn't show anything (I understand that lesions on the spine don't show up easily, true?). I wouldn't think I have a nerve problem in back because I don't have any nerve pain, I don't even have any tingling, just numbness that comes and goes. I don't have any pain in my back at the point numbness starts, or any where in my back.

I also don't see HOW anxiety would cause numbness to come and go in same place like this (and with it being 1/2 my body). Is there anything I can do to help show this isn't anxiety?

How long does this have to go on before a Dr thinks this ISN'T ok?

I'm trying my best to still get in the see my new PCP and than the new neuro but my kids want stop getting sick.

I see the eye Dr. tomorrow, if she says this is ON than I call the neuro than, if it's not ON, well I don't know of anything thing else that cause loss of color & vision so I'll just have to see what she says.

Maybe this will help from ofcn.org?

http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/hwp/support/ms/MSFAQ.html

Thank you, I have read this before.
DH said if it's about MS and on the internet I've probably have already read it.

Hi Mom/J! It can take quite a long time to get a proper dx of anything. I hate to say it but it's true. *sigh* Don't totally discount anxiety because stress can do crazy things to our bodies. You're undoubtedly having anxiety issues (me too) imho. You seem upset a lot and who could blame you. Chasing the dx is very draining. Try to rest and not stress so much. Patience is about the only thing that will get you through this. I hope you get the answers you need soon, but sometimes you just have to wait it out. I'm so sorry about all of this carp. I'm thinking about ya!

I agree Joelle, stress and anxiety is part of this process. I'm still going to do the therapy, and get that behind me so it won't be an issue.

Thank you, I think I'm more frustrated more than anything. My Dr that I had back in FL said that if I was having more numbness than what I was having than she would be thinking more like it's MS. So now here I sit in TX with LOTS of numbness and a Dr that doesn't care as long as I can walk because my MRI "looked good", he didn't even look at the film himself (sorry, there I go again).

I'm just frustrated. I know I need to see a new Dr but I just can't right now.
I had been very good the past 2 years and hadn't worried about getting a DX, up until my body went hay wire in Dec., so I though I must have lesions that will show up on a MRI now. Wrong, but than something does come up on my LP and my Dr will not tell me what is means.

Trust me I'm not worrying or stressing over this. All this posting is just me venting because I don't have any one else to talk to.
Believe it or not I'm a very clam person when it comes to stressing out over things, DH even gets mad that I'm never worried like he is about anything. I'm the one always telling others to not worry and that everything will work out just fine.

I just need to find a Dr that will listen to me and answer my ?'s and not treat me like I'm child with anxiety issues.

Julie, numbness is a sensory symptom. It can come and go or stay. there's not alot that can be done for numbness except steroids which may or may not help.

As for getting a diagnosis - unfortunately, symptoms alone won't get you a diagnosis. You need some positive test results and abnormilties on a neuro exam. I don't know if you have had either of those but if not you might be in limbo for awhile.....sorry

Thank you, I'm not even sure what all the test are I should have. I've done MRI's, LP, EMG and a little blood work.

Numbness is a symptom of fb, which you have:

http://www.nfra.net/Symchart.htm

Why do you not believe your current dx?

Even if you are right, you will HAVE to wait for the tests to prove that. Getting frustrated (i.e. stressed) is the worst thing for MS.

Cherie

Maybe you'll just have to wait until a new sx shows...that or the Optho/Neuro will find you've had ON, but the VEP's should have shown that. Other tests you've not had would be the Neuro/Psychological Exam that lasts all day, tests everything, and costs a bundle. Then, I think you are done....no more to do.

There's hope for answers, but you may have to wait. You can't demand an answer If the test don't show it, they don't show it. I understand ...maybe it wouldn't hurt for you to chat with a therapist like I am doing. We just never know until we tried everything, and if it's not anxiety, then it's not...and you'll have proven it!

Criteria seems to point to the fact that you'll need another seperate exaserbation (time). The current one you seem to have will have to work its way to remission and then, who knows, you may go years before anything else happens. When and if it does, you will then have more ammo for the doctors. My flair lasted about 6-7 weeks, with residual going on for a few weeks after that. So it should end soon, or I hope it does.

Meanwhile, I found when I was numb, if I didn't pay attention to it, I forgot about it for the most part. I was numb the whole left side, so I get it. Are you just numb or do you have strong pins and needles too? (Like asleep?) Not that it matters, just curious I also found that cold wind on my skin felt good...so if its cold, maybe a walk outside or a drive with the window open blowing on you? Just things that worked for me

Take care of yourself...it's going to be okay