I have been waiting for a diagnosis for two years. My first symptoms occurred in March 2012, notably fatigue, which then progressed to gait problems, dropped foot and loss of balance. My GP openly declared that he didn’t recognise my symptoms, but he did offer to refer me a to neurologist. It was noticed I have an upgoing plantar - a big toe that turns upwards when the foot is stroked with a pen (normal toes turn downward by default) - and on receiving a lumbar puncture, there were signs of inflammation on the spinal cord. I wasn’t made to feel that any diagnosis - apart from Clinically Isolated Syndrome which was diagnosed in December 2012 - was imminent, and none of the doctors exactly said if my lumbar puncture was positive or not, leaving me in limbo. However, the neurologist did say that if anything major happens - like I can’t walk or get vision problems - I may go to my GP and insist on ‘fast-tracked’ back to hospital. I started taking vitamin D3, and my symptoms slowly dispersed. Almost completely. After over a year of carrying with my life, and getting married, suddenly I am struggling to walk with dropped foot, general weakness on my right side, and imbalance. So, I thought, enough is enough! My husband & I, visited my GP and used my trump card, mentioning the ‘fast-track’ option, and luckily I am going tomorrow to see a neurologist. We don’t know if this simply means further tests, and more waiting, or whether we are going to come home with some degree of a proper diagnosis.
Dropped foot is very awkward - I’ve been looking at the foot lift assists, that strap around the calf, and sit below your foot, on the internet, and they look quite helpful. Can anyone tell me if they are any good?
Thank You 