they often write you off after one test here also, it depends on the doctor.

Another update... did the colonoscopy this morning; the internet said that i wouldn't even remember it because I would be sedated, but I kept waking up due to the INTENSE pain. WOW. Anyways, they did not find anything. But teh colonoscopy only finds what's in the large intestine right? Not the stomach, or the small intestine?

Good Morning Alone!
When I have tests like Endoscopy and Cholonoscopy I can't have 'twight light' sleep because I keep waking up in major pain during the procedure....It's awful! Now I demand "Mac" anesthesia instead.....that's being put totally out.......NO MORE twight light sleep for me!

I had nerve conduction test......I think that's what you said you had......and it showed negative for PN also. I had to have the nerve/muscle biopsy before the dr. found the cause of my pain, Chronic Anxonal Neuropathy.
It sounds like you might have to just do all you can over there.......take your supplements and vitamins, change your diet and then come back here to get good (hopefully!) medical care. Good luck to you!!

Not being able to find a GP that will *listen*, being in a country where you don't know the language.... Wow. I'd be scared. Surely there has to be a doctor somewhere that will do what's necessary?? Or am I being overly optimistic?

At any rate, you've found the best place in the world to be (this board) for finding info and getting good, solid, knowledgeable input. Welcome! And I hope you have made some headway.

Barbara

Anyways, this is what I'm planning to do. I'm gonna go to another neuro, give him the normal NCV, and tell him "I talked to my neurologist in the states(of course I don't have one in the states) and he said that you should run these tests: (LIST ALL POSSIBLE TESTS). He said these tests are very important and a condition, especially this one, shouldn't be determined after one test." What do you think? I think it's a good way to get the message across without undermining his knowledge. Maybe he will think " ahhh, this is what they do in America." Hopefully, just hopefully.

Explain this to me. Alan has had a colonoscopy and he said it was the "best sleep I ever had".

I'm petrified to have one, and Alan says "it is absolutely nothing".

Then I read your posts.

Forget it. Not me!!! Not any time soon!!

mel

Hi Melody:

I had my first colonoscopy several years ago. The doctor said that at my age at the time if I had never had any polyps, I never would have and so would never have to have another colonoscopy. So, there were no polyps.

As far as pain is concerned - not one moment of pain or even discomfort. The doctor said in their office they use a smaller tube such as is used for children and maybe that explained that. I was given some kind of relaxer. Watched the whole thing on a sort of TV screen and it was very interesting. The only part of this that was not fun was cleaning out the colon drinking the fluids prescribed. This required a lot of time spent in the bathroom which was annoying but certainly not uncomfortable. Many say that is the "worst" part of a colonoscopy. The doctor complimented me on how "clean" I got my colon! After the procedure I was given my choice of juice and laid down to rest for awhile before getting up and driving myself home.
There was nothing awful about the whole thing!

Shirley H.

Thank you Shirley:

I'm still not getting any colonoscopy. Nobody in my whole family ever had anything wrong with their stomachs. Brains??? Absolutely!!! But not their stomachs.

I have gotten my weight to almost normal, I reversed the diabetes in my eyes, I stopped the neuropathy cold in its tracks with the Methyl B-12. I do the Bone Density stuff, the yearly mammo and exam stuff, and the blood testing stuff. So far, so good.

I know me. If I have to start thinking about another invasive test, I'll go bonkers. I need to de-stress my mind and body, not add any stress. I have scoliosis but have never had a symptom (unless a once in the while pain between the shoulder blades), been having them on and off for 10 years. Lately, though, no pain. I move every day. I walk every day. I stretch every day. I eat what I'm supposed to eat and I don't eat what I'm not supposed to not eat. This I do for my diabetes and for my body. I have absolutely no problem with giving up any thing if it's not good for me.

I hope to spend another 60 years on this planet. If I don't, well, I don't but it won't be because I haven't done everything nutritionally and exercise-wise.

As a matter of fact, this morning, when I was just starting to stand up straight (after 4 days with sciatica because of the nutty weather), well my 88 year old neighbor comes running out of her house (and I do mean running) and she goes "oh, it's you, I didn't recognize you because of the way you were walking, STAND UP STRAIGHT". Alan laughed and I said "Angie, I have sciatica, I'm doing better every day". She ordered Alan to go behind me and make me straight.

She said "There is no reason for anyone to have arthritis, or sciatica, I know because it's in my wellness book". I looked at her (remember, she's 88), and I said 'what else do you know from your book"? She goes "stay in the sun for 20 minutes a day, we need the vitamin D and anything else the sun gives us". I take Alpha Lipoic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin C (lots and lots of that)" She takes everything but the kitchen sink.

Even though they planted a defribrillator in her chest last year, her two daughters (who are in their 50's) can't keep up with her. She would go dancing every night if she could. Her daughters just stand there and sigh and go "oh please, you're 88 years old". I burst out laughing and said "my god, I wish my mother was 88 and wanted to go dancing".

So she's my role model. If she says I don't have to have arthritis or sciatica, then I'm not going to have it any more.

Hey, I can try!!!

mel

When I was having major stomach issues they also did a ct scan I think. It was to check my pancreas. Also my first nc test showed less then the repeat with the ssep. My neuro said the ssep is done when the nc doesn't show as much as the pain. I may be somewhat confused though on exact.Can I ask about your parents since your young and what they think? I understand there is little they can do but I think support mentally is very important. I know people in general but also being young people don't understand. Especially when your young running around and worring about different things if that makes sense. Well hang in there and I hope you find some relief and answers soon.

To be honest, I haven't told my parents yet. They are very stressed out and on top of that, very worrisome to begin with. I can't burden them with my problems. I will probably let them know when I move back to the states so they won't have to worry about me being all alone out here not being able to do anything. I just hope I find a neuro who really cares.