So I’m new to this and I’m exactly sure where to start…
im 24 and had this ongoing problem since November. I’ve had progressive tingling/numbness/shooting pains in my legs, and more recently in my arms and hand. Over the past 6 weeks my memory has been terrible, remembering conversations is troublesome, and myself and my family have noticed that my speech has been effected; talking slower, having to think more about what I’m saying.
I was first put on Gabapentin which made little to no effect, and was then put on pregabalin, which I’m still waiting to work…
ive been under an orthopaedic consultant as me, the GP and physio all thought I’d had a herniated disc causing pressure on both sciatic nerves. Anyway, I had a MRI of my lumbar sacral and it came back clear. My consultant isn’t happy and is pretty worried (which doesn’t help), he has now referred me to a neurologist and to a spinal surgeon.
I’m assuming from here, that once I’ve seen the neurologist he is going to refer me for an MRI head.
Im probably working myself up, but for a 24 year old… I’m pretty sure this isn’t normal.
Any words of advice or experiences are greatly appreciated
x
hi lauren
you’re on the right path seeing a neurologist in the near future.
age has nowt to do with it.
ms and other neurological conditions doesn’t have any respect for age.
rude eh?
my best advice is to avoid stress because it just makes it all worse.
if you can learn mindfulness meditation this really helps.
see your gp regularly to discuss your symptoms.
this way they will be noted on your medical records which will be useful for your neuro.
24 is no age to have some pig of an illness.
carole x
Hi Carole, sorry for the delay.
im seeing my GP on Monday with my big long lost of symptoms!
The symptoms in my arms seeing to be changing, the tingling has now become a very sharp, almost electric shock sensation, and have lost quite a bit of function in my right hand. It feels like I’ve got really bad cramp and my fingers have decided they don’t want to work properly and have become stiff.
all the symptoms im experiencing are getting me quite worried so I’m trying my hardest not to get too worked up!
X
good luck for your neuro appointment.
So the trip to the doctors was pretty useless…
being stuck in limbo is frustrating
Hi Lauren
Are you waiting for an appointment with a neurologist? Cos, I don’t know what you might have expected from a GP, they often don’t know a huge amount about neurology and certainly can’t second guess a specialist. As Carole said, it’s worth keeping your GP updated with where you are and what symptoms you have, but you can’t expect any solutions or answers.
If you’ve been referred to a neuro, and you have the name of who you’ve been referred to, try phoning their secretary and explain that you feel like you’re being abandoned in limbo. S/he might be able to speed up your appointment. The other thing to try is phone your hospitals appointments team and make sure they have the referral and may even be able to give you a date.
Honestly, we all understand wha an absolute bugger it is living in this limbo. But the only way you can move things forward is by staying on top of getting appointments through.
Hope you get somewhere with it all soon.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Yes I understand that the GPS can only do so much, my only frustration with them, along with my consultants frustration, is how slow they are
Im planning on chasing up referrals at the end of the week. I just feel like it’s been going on for too long now, there’s only so much ‘resting’ I can do. My brain thinks I’m perfectly fine to do normal every day things, but my body is telling me otherwise
x