hello,

I am very frustrated, just got back from seeing my nuro for my results.. I had an mri done in sept 08 - I still have weakness on my left side, arm and leg.. muscle tightness left shoulder(raised).. neuro did some tests in his office - said he thought there was not much muscle weakness and that i had passed most of his tests.. i still feel weak??? His suggestion was that i was depressed and not facing some underlying problem?? Thinks I should speak to someone and go on depresents?? maybe he is right?? any advice would be greatly appreciated

thanks sherbear64

Hello, Sherbear.

I went back to read some of your other posts. Your MRI showed Dawsons Fingers which does indicate MS.

So, I would say your doctor is wrong.

Since you are in Canada I'm not sure if you have the option of seeing another neuro, which would be my suggestion.

Weakness can possibly be helped by exercise and/or Physical Therapy(PT).

Doesnt that burn you up?! You go in, clearly in distress, and asking for help, and...you get told that you are in denial about some underlaying issue!?!

It sounds like its time to try to hunt down a new neuro. I know canada is tough to get to move around the system like we can in the states. I hope you are either able to sit with this silly man and tell him how bizzare you think HIS suggestion is, or that you are able to move on.

Not knowing your case and not being a doctor.....

antidepressants aren't bad if you need them. Talk to your regular doctor about them and then request another neuro opinion.

Sometimes we don't know that we need the antidepressant and sometimes we do. There is a new thought that antidepressants help with pain too - I'm not sure if that is one type of AD or if it is any of them...worth looking into.

The main thing you want is to be out of pain. Right?

Peace.

Hi Sherbear,

I noticed that you had evidence of Dawson Fingers, and you have copies of all your MRI's. Do you also have the radiologist's interpretation of the MRI's?

I don't know any other disease that has Dawson Fingers . . .

You've had symptoms since 2007? Do your symptoms fluctuate at all, other than (perhaps) related to weather? Do you ever have a remission?

Cherie

Hi there,

I thank everyone for their replys, I saw my family dr. and told her my response from the neuro. She disagreed as well. I tried the antidepressents and was very nauseated? I see her again this week and I am going to request a second opinion. I don't think I am depressed but very frustrated. There has to be a reason for the weakness & pain. On the MRI it did say to follow up with another MRI in 3 to 6 mths. I am going to request that as well. If it is not MS it could be something else they need to find??

Thanks Sherry

When the doc doesn't know what is wrong, one of the first "diagnosis" thrown out to the patient is "Depression". Ignore the guy and try to find another neuro if possible.

gmi

hi sherry,

i'm glad you're going to pursue another opinion.
what did the mri report say? you should get a copy of the report, AND a CD of the films. start to keep a medical file on yourself. for your knowledge and for any other drs you see.

i hate when drs chalk things up to depression without finding the cause of the problem. i'm glad you went back to your pcp.

oh, ps...get a copy of his dictation from that visit and all the test results he did. that will be important too.

please let us know what happens.

I was told one year ago that my sxs were due to anxiety and depression...so I ignored new sxs, didn't go back to neuro for 8 months when my legs locked on me. New mri, told "bells and whistles" and subtle changes on mri indicated ms...now on copaxone.
Don't give up. Keep a journal of new and existing sxs...and try to get a second opinion.
Good luck, and keep in touch to let us know what's up

Why don't they offer "Listening Skills" or 'Customer Service 101' in med school?

Pretty sure my depression was a first sign of MS. A year later the pins and needles feelings showed up in my legs. Didn't follow up on it until my fingers and hand did the same. Been on 3 different ADs, I like Paxil best and sticking with it. You may need to try a few to find the right fit.

Gonna ditto Debbie D and say keep a journal and try to get a different doc.