Hi from another newbie

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

Hi everyone

I am 42 and am waiting to see a neurologist. I have read many of your posts over the last few months but never plucked up the courage to respond until yesterday, and thought it would be polite to introduce myself. I had many neurological symptoms but kept writing them off, telling myself I was becoming a hypochondriac. It took a visit to a physio as I could no longer walk properly due to pain and poor balance, who requested that I be referred to a spinal surgeon, who in turn thought I had MS, did an MRI to find my spinal cord pinched significantly in my neck, operated, but also found a lesion in my brain, still thinks I have MS or something very similar, and has pushed for neurological consult, but my optometrist also thinks I have MS as my eyes aren’t working together, and to cut a long story short, all my symptoms point in that direction.

I had my spinal surgery 9 months ago and it was successful so my problems don’t appear to be related to that, they include: poor balance and coordination, causing frequent falls and the dropping of all of my posessions,deterioration in my cognition and vision, severe pain in my joints despite analgesia, extreme fatigue both mental and physical, especially at about 3pm, no matter how many hours I sleep, problems with continence and many others, basically my whole self is broken.

I was once a nurse with very good qualifications and experience and now I’m reduced to being unable to string a full sentence with long words as I can’t remember them. Never mind, it won’t beat me. No matter what my diagnosis is, I will continue to do as much as I can when I can do it. I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and frankness when discussing problems as you inspire and answer so many questions I have and give wonderful advice. I have commented on a couple of posts, I am not doing so in any professional capacity as my history as a nurse is useless to me at the moment - I can remember how to respond to situations but my memory of conditions is poor, and as I mentioned, I can’t remember all the clever words that used to come naturally. Do not worry, I am not working and endangering any of you at the moment.

Thankyou to everyone who help others and have inspired and helped me, and I hope that any help I can give would do the same for someone else.

Min.

2

hi min

good luck with your neurologist when you eventually get to see one.

if its any consolation, 4 years after diagnosis i can say that the symptoms come and go.

some days my body gives me problems and my mind works fine. some days my body is well but my mind scares me. occasionally both are fine.

just make sure that you eat well, stay hydrated, rest as much as you need and try to arrange social occasions that you can manage.

its good to have something to look forward to.

oh and look after your bladder because i’m having the UTI from hell.

carole x

3

Thanks Carole

I am sorry to hear about the UTI, my memory serves me well enough to know they are most unpleasant. Your advice is most welcome and nutrition is one thing I am having to force myself to keep up with. I am too tired to cook or eat in the evening, but on the recommendation of a good friend I have invested in a slow cooker and am trying to get into the routine of preparing nutritious meals in the morning for my evening meal.

I hope your infection leaves soon.

Min x

4

Hello Min, and welcome :slight_smile:

I hope you get some answers soon :slight_smile:

Karen x