[Bailey0507]

I had to turn to this forum, because this is the only thing that makes sense to me right now. I don't know what I have because I have not yet been diagnosed. All my symptoms point to PN.

Two Satuday's ago I experienced a dull and achy pain in my hip that progressed to numbness in my left leg. Last week a lot of things happened. Most of my body went numb, I had shooting pains through my arms and legs, blurry vision and lost all feeling in my abdomen. I became very weak as the week progressed.

I ended up in the hospital for 2 days and had some extensive testing done. It found no structural damage, pinched nerve or tumors. I came out without a diagnosis. Basically, they told me that everything looked normal and all this is probably caused by stress.

Right now I am very achy, have blurry vision and feel weak (can't even hold a dinner plate). My abdomen still feels weird and somewhat numb. Last night I had terrible cramps and burning with urination (my urinalysis was normal btw). I am very confused at this point as to what exactly I have. I only know what I don't have.

[Mere]

I am sorry you feel so poorly. I can somewhat understand how you feel as I have been there before. I have been through a lot of illness, surgery and different diagnosis' since I was about 25 years old. I am now 48 and have just received a diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy. I also have connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia and inflammatory arthritis.

My diagnosis did not come immediately and for years I had many 'normal' test results. I remember laying in bed for weeks in the hospital and at home wondering how I could possibly feel so bad and have so much pain, yet have 'normal' tests...

Fortunately, the sharp edges softened over time and I did get somewhat better. Things waxed and wained. I learned to be calm and strong. Unfortunately, a lot of 'unusual' illnesses such as autoimmune, neurological and musculoskeletal illnesses can take time to surface to where it can be identified and diagnosed...

It is fortunate that you were hospitalized and that tests were performed. It is unsettling that you still are having scary symptoms, but at least all of the things that put your health in an immediate risk have been ruled out.

Be certain to keep good medical records. Obtain them from the hospital and then with results in hand, see another doctor. Perhaps an Internal Medicine doctor.

I surely hope you feel better. Keep us informed.

Mere

[Bailey0507]

I'm going to go see my PCP today with my 3 sheets of notes of my symptoms. Every day this week I've had new symptoms. Last night my legs started hurting and today I feel okay but now my hands hurt.

I'm not as concerned with my diagnosis as I am concerned with going back to work. I have to work long hours and I am on my feet sometimes more than 10 hours per day. This week I took FMLA and filed my Short Term Disability claim but today I feel better somewhat, despite new symptoms appearing. I know I may not be able to do my job to the best of my abilities, but at the same time I can't afford to lose the income either. With me going from better to worse and back to better confuses me.

[Mere]

That's good that you have an appointment and that you have your records to take along. It is very difficult to balance a job and illness. Try to stay calm. Believe me, self-induced stress makes everything worse. It would be good if you could take some more time to care for yourself...

Let us know what the doctor says...

[glenntaj]

--of brain and spinal cord done, looking for signs of stroke or other ischemic event and/or central nervous system demyelinating diseases (such as MS)?

[mrsD]

Yes, I was thinking multiple sclerosis too.

First attacks can be confusing.

I'd post your question at our MS forum: there are lots of experienced posters there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=17

Numbness is often a first sign.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by Bailey0507

I had to turn to this forum, because this is the only thing that makes sense to me right now. I don't know what I have because I have not yet been diagnosed. All my symptoms point to PN.

Two Satuday's ago I experienced a dull and achy pain in my hip that progressed to numbness in my left leg. Last week a lot of things happened. Most of my body went numb, I had shooting pains through my arms and legs, blurry vision and lost all feeling in my abdomen. I became very weak as the week progressed.

I ended up in the hospital for 2 days and had some extensive testing done. It found no structural damage, pinched nerve or tumors. I came out without a diagnosis. Basically, they told me that everything looked normal and all this is probably caused by stress.

Right now I am very achy, have blurry vision and feel weak (can't even hold a dinner plate). My abdomen still feels weird and somewhat numb. Last night I had terrible cramps and burning with urination (my urinalysis was normal btw). I am very confused at this point as to what exactly I have. I only know what I don't have.

Hi Bailey:

I felt so bad for you when I read your post. You have new friends here. I hope you get your answers and SOON!!!

Hang in there. Keep taking your B-12.

Melody

[Bailey0507]

Is there even a point in going to see my GP? My neuro appt is in 30 days. Last week I was in pain a lot. I have stabbing pains in my shoulders that go through my arms and then down my back into my legs. My feet burn slightly and I have lots of numbness in my arms and legs. Been taking nortryptiline for 3 weeks now and not seeing any improvement at all.

ETA: I have headaches nearly every day now and eye pain mainly on the right side.. So far haven't been able to have any relief when I take OTC meds.

[b onna]

Originally Posted by Bailey0507

Is there even a point in going to see my GP? My neuro appt is in 30 days. Last week I was in pain a lot. I have stabbing pains in my shoulders that go through my arms and then down my back into my legs. My feet burn slightly and I have lots of numbness in my arms and legs. Been taking nortryptiline for 3 weeks now and not seeing any improvement at all.

ETA: I have headaches nearly every day now and eye pain mainly on the right side.. So far haven't been able to have any relief when I take OTC meds.

Oh, Bailey!

I'd do what dalek suggested and call your neurologist every day with your list of things piling up. I've been blogging my experiences everyday so I have a log of what's been going on.

I was in your same position about getting into the neuro I used years ago - they said I was considered a new patient and couldn't get in for a month. I was able to make an appointment with his associate and got in the following week, which was too long due to my pain but it did work out. I had all the tests run last week but now I have to wait two weeks for the results, which is driving me batty because my symptoms are getting worse, sometimes by the hour.

Can you find another neurologist you can see immediately or is this one on your insurance plan and/or recommended?

My heart and prayers go out to you. And I'm crying for you.

[Bailey0507]

Originally Posted by b onna

Oh, Bailey!

I'd do what dalek suggested and call your neurologist every day with your list of things piling up. I've been blogging my experiences everyday so I have a log of what's been going on.

I was in your same position about getting into the neuro I used years ago - they said I was considered a new patient and couldn't get in for a month. I was able to make an appointment with his associate and got in the following week, which was too long due to my pain but it did work out. I had all the tests run last week but now I have to wait two weeks for the results, which is driving me batty because my symptoms are getting worse, sometimes by the hour.

Can you find another neurologist you can see immediately or is this one on your insurance plan and/or recommended?

My heart and prayers go out to you. And I'm crying for you.

Actually, I'm an existing patient now and I have no clue why they would schedule it that far off, but at the time of my initial follow-up visit I didn't fully realize what was happening to me and with a very vague diagnosis I just went along with whatever the PA suggested (no, the neurologist wouldn't see me for follow-up). I called last week and had to leave yet another message for them to send copies of everything to my GP. I thought that maybe the PA I see for my primary care could refer me to someone (not that I can't find a neuro, but though this would work better). But I feel that even if he does refer me to someone, it may still be a month before I can get in and that would be kind of pointless. There are several neurologists in the network, but I'm really not sure how to choose the best one.