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    New to the forum; pending diagnosis.

    My name is Tamara and I'm 33 years young. I have a darling husband and two young sons, and they're the primary focus of my life. I work from home, as a freelancer, and while my husband mostly supports the household, I'm able to contribute a little bit in between running the boys (ages 7 and 9) to their various activities.

    I have health problems, of varying levels of severity, for my entire life. When I was younger, I had some heart problems and then later on it was discovered I had some bladder problems as well. I've taken tons of different medications to keep my symptoms under control. I do my best to eat right and exercise when I can, but lately that seems to be a little bit more difficult than it used to be.

    At one point, I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue. That's not really a surprise to me considering how tired I was becoming, overwhelmed by life in general. I did some research and gravitated towards some information from Dr. James Wilson; and then I realized I was having some other strange symptoms as well. A trip to a naturopath confirmed I had a mild Candida problem, so I then turned to Dr. Eric Bakker, from New Zealand, for help treating that issue.

    I spent a lot of time reading and doing research, but even though I'd feel somewhat better, other symptoms would begin to appear. I always got the feeling what that while we were definitely treating some of my problems, we weren't really touching on the main problem.

    I'd been frustrated with my last doctor for quite some time, so I decided to move on and find a doctor who had a more “whole body” approach to medicine. I'm not against western medicine, but I definitely embrace holistic philosophies and ideas as well.

    I've been a little nervous the past couple of months, as my symptoms seem to be changing again. My doctor suspects MS and wants to send me for an MRI and a spinal tap. I do have bladder problems, again, and I'm incredibly fatigued – all the time. I was probably misdiagnosed as simply having chronic fatigue syndrome at some point in this process, since that's the longest occurring symptom. Of course, that now comes with its fair share of anxiety and depression as well. From time to time, I have trouble with my eyes – I just can't seem to focus; I definitely have balance issues; and I have a severe vitamin D deficiency.

    To say I'm nervous and scared would be the understatement of the year. I'm just not 100% sure what to do next. So here I am. I hope to get to know some of you better; and I'll keep you posted as I go for testing and get more definitive answers.
    Love and light,
    Tamara

    #2
    HUGS to you Tamara~and welcome!

    I can appreciate all that you are going through and sorry you are so scared and worn down. Being a working-mom, who works (LOL), and wife, these symptoms have truly interrupted your life. That part stinks!!

    Know that a Vit D deficiency can cause many neuro type problems. So you could start by getting on VIT D-3 yourself. I take 5000 units. 2000 is recommended for the ave person who lacks sunlight. MS neuros now want to see your Vit D level up around 70, used to be 50.

    And has your B12 been checked? That is another deficiency to be checked. I had to have B12 shots for about a year, now it is high, so I take it every other day in sublingual form. You can at least start with those two supplements.

    Adrenal fatigue/chronic fatigue are good labels, I guess (had them both) but wouldn't you want to know WHY you have that? I did. Between what we eat, drink and breathe, we have a lot of toxins in our system.

    I saw an amazing nutritionist who practices NRT=Nutritional Response Testing. This is very different knowledge base than your typical dietician covered by insurances. I had no $$ to see this guy, but it was worth every penny. Even my neuro was amazed at how he detoxed me from mercury 2x, and other heavy metals, but built up my systems and my balance improved as the inflammation on the brain dissipated.

    That is MY experience. I believe in alternative treatments along with Western medicine. Sometimes my neuro has told me to return to this specialized nutritionist.

    There is something to be said, "We ARE what we eat!" And chemicals are in our bodies

    Now you may have MS or not. So, for now, Tamara, try to just get through each day the best you can and try not to project too far into the future. They know much more about MS now than decades ago. This fatigue is no joking matter. Your hubby/family need to know how they can step up, even the kids, to help out more.

    I remember once missing a whole summer, just working, and crashing once home. I could not even muster enough energy to eat out, buy groceries or clean.

    Tamara, I am available via email, in my profile, if you need further help and support. I have been through the wringer all started in my 30s. I have little progression. There is help for you and always HOPE~

    Hang in there, Jan
    I believe in miracles~!
    2004 Benign MS 2008 NOT MS
    Finally DX: RR MS 02.24.10

    Comment


      #3
      Jan,
      You took the words right out of my mouth. Your posts never disappoint. Your points of view are always appreciated.

      Comment


        #4
        Hello and Welcome Tamara!

        Mjan has counseled you well.

        Best wishes!
        When I can laugh at my experiences, I own them and they don't own me!

        Comment


          #5
          Thank you

          Originally posted by mjan View Post
          HUGS to you Tamara~and welcome!

          I can appreciate all that you are going through and sorry you are so scared and worn down. Being a working-mom, who works (LOL), and wife, these symptoms have truly interrupted your life. That part stinks!!

          Know that a Vit D deficiency can cause many neuro type problems. So you could start by getting on VIT D-3 yourself. I take 5000 units. 2000 is recommended for the ave person who lacks sunlight. MS neuros now want to see your Vit D level up around 70, used to be 50.

          And has your B12 been checked? That is another deficiency to be checked. I had to have B12 shots for about a year, now it is high, so I take it every other day in sublingual form. You can at least start with those two supplements.

          Adrenal fatigue/chronic fatigue are good labels, I guess (had them both) but wouldn't you want to know WHY you have that? I did. Between what we eat, drink and breathe, we have a lot of toxins in our system.

          I saw an amazing nutritionist who practices NRT=Nutritional Response Testing. This is very different knowledge base than your typical dietician covered by insurances. I had no $$ to see this guy, but it was worth every penny. Even my neuro was amazed at how he detoxed me from mercury 2x, and other heavy metals, but built up my systems and my balance improved as the inflammation on the brain dissipated.

          That is MY experience. I believe in alternative treatments along with Western medicine. Sometimes my neuro has told me to return to this specialized nutritionist.

          There is something to be said, "We ARE what we eat!" And chemicals are in our bodies

          Now you may have MS or not. So, for now, Tamara, try to just get through each day the best you can and try not to project too far into the future. They know much more about MS now than decades ago. This fatigue is no joking matter. Your hubby/family need to know how they can step up, even the kids, to help out more.

          I remember once missing a whole summer, just working, and crashing once home. I could not even muster enough energy to eat out, buy groceries or clean.

          Tamara, I am available via email, in my profile, if you need further help and support. I have been through the wringer all started in my 30s. I have little progression. There is help for you and always HOPE~

          Hang in there, Jan
          Love and light,
          Tamara

          Comment


            #6
            Tamara: You have so few symptoms that point to MS right now. If you get an MRI, great. If not, take Jan's advice and get your Vitamin D up, you will start to feel better. Since you have suffered urinary symptoms before, what were they accounted to at that time?

            I am not saying fatigue is not a huge part of MS, it is, but symptoms that usually bring a patient into the neurologist office are numbness on one side of the body, tingling on one side of the body, problems with heat (getting numbness or tingling with heat), dizziness, optic neuritis, sometimes problems seeing as you describe, but a quick trip to the ophthalmologist should work that out.

            Just try not to fret over a PCPs recommendation or thought that you may or may not have MS. They are not specialists. I know things are different in Canada. If he feels strongly, have him get the MRI. Then you will see a neurologist and get checked out with a neuro exam by a neurologist (who does it best). They will decide if your condition resembles MS or something else.

            Until then, don't worry about it. This doctor has you worked up for nothing right now. If your MRI shows something, then you can worry, otherwise, try not to.

            Take care and let go of your anxiety-it won't help in the end anyway.

            Lisa
            Moderation Team
            Disabled RN with MS for 14 years
            SPMS EDSS 7.5 Wheelchair (but a racing one)
            Tysabri

            Comment

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