This is my first post although reading this forum and knowing that I’m not alone in waiting has been a big help.
I was experiencing symptoms early in the summer with after experiencing an odd range of symptoms suddenly lasting for about 6 weeks all gradually improving. I had tingling, pain and numbness in my hands and down my right side, a lack of heat sensitivity, a sudden pain when surprised and problems concentrating/digesting information.
My mum has MS but having so rarely spoken about it as a family I had no idea it even had a genetic element so it didn’t automatically come to mind. I went to my GP and they ran blood tests and suspected low vitamin D causing the pains etc.and so took a blood test but when I went back they referred me for a neurologists appointment in November given my family history. So I had an MRI at christmas after he had said I had a decreased sensitivity down my right leg and I have a follow up appointment at the end of April.
However I have recently had a ressurgence of the original symptoms slightly worse this time but this time they are affecting my ability to do my job. My husband says I should go to see my GP but my thought is that they won’t be able to suggest or prescribe anything until the are happy they know what the problem is in April. Unfortunately I was so surprised the neurologist wanted to do an MRI that I can remember so little else and have no idea if he said I should do something particular if the symptoms returned.
Does anyone have any thoughts on whether I should go to the GP? or is it worth phoning the neurology deptartment to see if they will move up my appointment?
Also does anyone have any suggestions as to how to explain to my employers the reason for my problems? I am finding it hard to approach without a diagnosis. I work for a small business where I am really relied upon and so I want to reassure them that they still have my full efforts but that I may be underparr at the moment.
Definitely see your GP as the neuro gets the electronic copy of your GP notes. If you feel you need to talk to your employer then I suggest being open and honest about it. I was with my employer when I was going through my diagnosis. Means if you get better or worse they can do things for you. Best of luck to you Xxx
You could always split the difference, and ask for a telephone appointment with your GP. Most surgeries will do that now.
It seems unlikely they would be able to find out very much more in person than by you describing the return of symptoms over the phone, so if you just want advice, it may suit both you and the doctor. I’m sure if they feel they need to see you, they will ask you to come in, but they may simply be able to nudge your neuro appointment forward a little bit, if you report you’ve had a resurgence of symptoms.
In theory, there is nothing to stop a GP prescribing symptom relief, even without a formal diagnosis, but some are reluctant to do so, without the hospital’s say-so. So you might well be right that you won’t be prescribed anything until after the neuro appointment anyway. But at least if they know there’s new stuff going on, you might get priority if there’s a cancellation, or something like that.
As for the employment thing, it depends how vague - or specific - you want to be. It’s probably premature to mention anything like: “suspected MS”, as you will cause them concern, and feel foolish if it turns out to be nothing of the kind. But you could say something like: “Neurological symptoms - under investigation”. You can’t be expected to give a name to something, if your doctors don’t know what it is yet. If you’re hesitant even to use the word “neurological” yet, you could say something like: “unexplained pain - being investigated”. If they try to push you to be more specific, you could just say that investigations are at a very early stage, and you don’t feel it’s appropriate to try to guess the result.
I suggest calling your neurologist and letting him know the symptoms have returned and have worsened and they will A) Get you in earlier or B) Express to you what they want you to do. I hope for A as a GP unless versed in MS soundly will ONLY go by general knowledge of MS they may have glanced over in medical school. This is from many years of this experience with dealing with GPs and MS… (Most refer me to Internests and so on because they say straight out my case is too complicated for them to deal with essentially) Too many patients and not enough time for the compexity of a patient with MS or even probable MS. What ever you decide I sure hope you get an answer soon!
I am sorry that you have all this worry to deal with.
I agree with the others that it would be good to flag up to the GP what is happening, and also talk to him/her about ways and means of hurrying up the neurology appt. Always a good idea to have these things on the record.
Yesterday I asked for a telephone appointment with my GP and they are getting in contact with the neurologist about bringing forward my April appointment. Thank you for your thoughts. Sometimes it is helpful just to have people available to bounce your thoughts off of and share with who are going through or have been through something similar. Thanks guys!!