So I’m being urgently referred to a neurologist due to symptoms of left foot drop, left-hand weakness, unsteady balance, and blurriness in my left eye. I had my blood results back today and they were all great. It was brought up in my last appointment that it could be MS - I am in the right age group (24) and have the right symptoms. My GP today mentioned that I’ll be having most likely be having an MRI, electrode testing(?), and possible lumbar puncture. In all honesty, they seem now to be testing for much more serious stuff.
I’m just wondering what to expect and how to cope with this waiting process. I’m pretty scared and I just don’t really know what I can do.
Hi Tayto…yes it is very scary once MS is mentioned. All those tests are the usual ones for MS, plus other neurological conditions.
Covid 19 is putting a lot of testing on a longer than usual waiting list, but if you dont have to wait so long, then it`s good to g et them done.
If it is MS, youll be told what type and what, if any, medicines are on offer. At your tender age, Im hoping you`ll be offered DMDs to slow down attacks and progression.
It is horrible waiting and wondering, but it`s what we have to endure.
It is very unnerving to be told you could have MS and to be referred to a neurologist for detailed testing. However, a GP cannot diagnose MS. It’s unlikely that a GP can really do much more than identify that there ‘might’ be a neurological problem.
When you see (eventually) a neurologist, they’ll do a full neurological examination and take a history from you as to what your symptoms have been, a family history and hopefully from that will be in a position to see what they think could be causing your symptoms. At that point, they are likely to refer you for tests. These could include MRI, visual evoked potentials (VEP), lumbar puncture and nerve conduction tests.
It’s a tough time to be waiting for the neurology appointment, and it’s likely to be a longish wait given the fact that hospital appointments are taking longer than usual due to Covid. I’m quite certain that the lumbar puncture in particular will take longer as it’s a more invasive test.
In the meantime, you will hopefully find your symptoms improve, either partially or completely. You could start to keep a diary of what has happened and when. This will help you to notice when things do improve and will be a massive help with the neurological appointment.
Hopefully as things improve for you, the waiting will become more bearable. If it doesn’t and you can’t force it out of your mind, try phoning the hospitals neurology secretarial team. Ask when appointments may become possible and remind them that your GP said it would be an ‘urgent’ referral (make sure it’s been received as such!).
Try not to randomly google MS and your symptoms. If you want/need information, look on this site (see the box at the top marked About MS) or the MS Trust. Both will have accurate information.
If you have specific worries or just need to vent your feelings, feel free to keep posting on here. There are other people in the same situation as you which can help with fellow feeling. Or old timers (like me) who have been where you are a long time ago and can help with more specific info.