Hi there,

I have been reading this site for awhile and decided to take the plunge and join! Maybe it was destiny that I found this place.

Many years ago while in college I suffered a strange episode the doctors couldn't explain. They brushed it off as a possible virus. (but I vaguely remember a slight mention of MS) Then years later, 1991, my right foot went paralyzed, left arm went extremely weak, left side of face drooped and some other crazy things happened. The neurologist told me I had MS despite the MRI not showing lesions. She said just go ahead and quit the teaching job I dearly loved. Well, I was devastated. I didn't quit my job, I fought with all the strength I had to keep working until it nearly beat me to the ground. The only medicines they gave me were meds to fight the symptoms. And some helped.

Well, I kept working until 2005. I fought it as long as I could. The above neuro left and I went to another neuro...a MS neuro. Well he decides I don't have MS!!! That is a good thing, isn't it? Except just because he says I don't have MS doesn't take away my foot drop, cognitive problems (that are well documented by cog psych doc), heat intolerance, balance issues, horrible fatigue, and many more symptoms that are just so weird that only MS could be to blame!!!!!

Life IS better since I left the stresses of my teaching job, although I miss it so much. But I am able to volunteer in my sister's class. It helps her out and allows me to enjoy working with children just a bit and get home before I am totally wiped out. And because I am not as exhausted as I was when I was working I am now able to volunteer in my church, which makes me very very happy. I play the piano at church which I love to do.

So that is just a brief history of my life from the past 25 years!!!! I don't think it has been as bad as these paragraphs make it sound!!!! I am truly a very happy person despite my experience with the medical community.

God bless you all and I do hope I can find some find some likeminded folks here.

Thanks.

Hi, and welcome to the community! You've probably discovered our MS forum, and the Stumble Inn, but here's the ink: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

You'll find a lot of support here, and there's always somebody around that has something in common. You came to a good place.

......................................

It's nice to get to know you! Thank you for introducing and sharing.....and taking the 'plunge'
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. You've found a wonderful place for support, encouragement, strength and certainly like-minded folks.
Pain is the common bond that brings us all together and being a part of this forum somehow makes it seem ok, and that we CAN rise above the hurdles that have come our way.
Plus, you've got an extra special gift within, which is music.....and nothing can ever take that away!

Please feel 'at home' here, as this is like one big family. We laugh and cry together....
There's something special in every forum here at NT

Truly Caring
Rae

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

You've taken the plunge, MM! Congrats... Because you've been reading this forum, you probably realize that most if not all of the symptoms are also found in conditions other than MS. If you haven't already, you might want to see a Neurologist who is a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS). Many PWP (people with Parkinson's disease), for example, are misdiagnosed for years before getting a PD diagnosis. Don't believe every doctor's diagnosis; get a second or third or --th opinion until you are satisfied, treated and feeling better. Good luck!

In the absence of MS, there are other possible things out there that could cause some of the symptoms you have. Here is one- Charcot Marie Tooth Disease named for the three doctors to describe it.
http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

Also, a related disease known as Parsonage Turner Syndrome could explain part of the symptoms. I list them together because I have PTS, and my doctors usually are quite aware of my hammer-toes and muscle loss in my legs- so I know they suspect CMT as well but my overall symptoms do not support them going that way.

Thank you all for your kind words and warm welcomes!!!!! You all have given me some interesting info. I will investigate it.

Thanks and have a wonderful and blessed day.

I have neuropathy. first in my feet then legs and now my arms and neck. Neurotin has helped but... what is the blurred vision from, slurred speech or i just thought it was a slight mumbling do to the fatigue. I have imbalance. fell in the dark coming home late. The back acke never stops, I pick the wrong words and the wrong letters all the time. no not really when the med is at its peek.was a nurse until this. No family support but a sisiter who travels for her job.what do i do ? Blood work shows slight prediabetic and nowthing else. Had Mri of back and just resently MRI of brain and EEG. Psycotrist wants me on cymbalta but at $305 for one months supply cant get it until cobra gets my check.

Hi geopeach, neurotin is good for the neuropathy!! Sometimes the drug companies have a program that will help you get the medicines for little or not costs. I am not sure what company cymbalta is made by but you may be able to find out on the net and see if that is one that will help. Also, always ask for samples from the doctor. The drug reps always leave samples with the doctor. Many times they will give you at least a month supply to see if you will be able to tolerate a new drug before you start spending money on a drug.

Hope you can get some answers soon and feel better soon. Good luck to you.

Hi there Musicmaker:

Welcome to our littler corner of the universe.

and I LOVE your name.

Why? Because my name is Melody

lol

You have been given lots of good info, so go and poke around the other forums.

I hope you are having a good day.

Regards from another musicmaker

Melody!!!!