Hi all
Been a bit quiet on here of late as have been rushing around to various medical appointments and also occupational health for work and also had to do some catch up calls for work to helpthem while I'm off.
A copy of the report from my consultant (Rheumatologist) arrived in the post today. It says:
"Diagnosis :
1) Probable Fibromyalgia / CFS (+/- mild depression) - what does +/- mean?
2) Left Optic Neuritis
3) Treated Hypothyroidism
4) Past history of microprolactinoma
5) Recurrent vertigo
6) Recently abnormal LFTs -?amitriptyline related
Findings / progress:
Mrs W's MRI brain scan is normal , showing no signs of previous episodes of demyelination. On that basis, her current episode of left optic neuritis, which is improving, but which is yet fully to resolve, is a one off, so she doesn't fulfil criteria for a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In the absence of any abnormality in the brain or spinal cord, her symptoms of pain, pins and needles, fatigue etc. can't be attributed to MS or indeed any other structural neurological cause, though there is of course some evidence of abnormal nerve and corticol conduction thresholds in individuals with fibromyalgia/CFS.....blah blah about medication replacing amitriptyline with Doxepin (apparently 'cleaner') and my liver tests etc.
...She is due to meet with her occupational health people at work. I have suggested that a reasonable schedule would be to aim to return to work, albeit probably in a part-time capacity initially, from the beginning of September, though that of course is going to depend on how things go. We talked about the importance of identifying achievable intermediate goals such as being able to take short walks, rather than getting straight back to more strenuous exercise. etc etc blah."
So am I a defo 'not MS' or in limbo ?
Is Fibro/ CFS an adequate explanation given the ON and many other MS symptoms (not all listed above).
The Occupational Health Dr from work said (without seeing the above) that as I had private medical care through work, and given that I'm in a fairly senior position, my employer would be keen for me to also seek the opinion of a neurologist. I'm going to talk to my GP about this next week but I think she (and the Rheumy) may see this as unecessary given the above.
What do you guys and gals think I should do?
Also, I don't know if I should laugh or cry (probably both given my 'emotional lability' symptoms) but I was feeling quite good when I saw these Drs earlier this week but last night and today, the pain has been so bad that I've had to crawl back into bed a few times today. Can't even take a hot bath cos it makes me feel bad and start twitching like nobody's business.
Your thoughts on any or all of this would be helpful right now. Sorry for long post.
Thanks,
Cx