Feel like giving up!!

[Lb1977]

I have posted here a couple timea since March...when symptoms started. In short, my symptoms then started with dizziness for 2 weeks then progressed to loss of dexterity in my right hand and weakness jn both arms as well as right side leg and face numbness. After MRI, neuro ruled out MS and said it was anxiety. Other than occasional difficulty with fine motor skills of my right hand, I returned to normal. That was in May. I saw a neurosurgeon at USC for an unrelated spine issue found on the MRI and he said while my spine issue was not causing my previous symptoms, he was referring me to the MS specilaist at USC. I have been waiting since May for the appointment and it is next week...finally! 2 weeks ago, the dizziness started again and then while driving one day, my right eyelid and eye started pulling down and it felt like my face was contorting slightly. After that, right side of my face went numb (pins and needles/tingles...same as before). After that my right leg under the knee felt numb again and odd. Went back to primary doc and he chalked it up to anxiety yet again but sent me for an EEG to rule out seizures (came back normal).

I am so relieved to have the MS specialist appt next week but I am so frustrated by all of this! I feel like no one believes my symptoms are real! I sure hope she has some sort of answers for me!

[JerryD]

Don't give up. The fun is just starting. You don't have a confirmed diagnosis, yet. You may be experiencing one of the many mimics of MS. You may be deficient of a whole host of vitamins and minerals, essential to your well being. Make sure you get all of the tests and save the LP for one of the last. It takes a process of exclusion to make a positive or negative diagnosis of MS. Stay and fight for yourself. Good luck

[jjs]

Don't give up yet. That wont help anything And it seems like you might be getting somewhere.

My neurologist had me to do an EEG just to rule out other things. It's all part of getting or not getting a diagnosis of MS. Let us know how your appointment goes next week.

[Lb1977]

Thank you both. It just gets so frustrating and I know alot of people here are going through the same experience.

I have had all the bloodwork...all normal. Forgot to mention left hand tremors and major cognitive decline since this began. If not MS, I just want answers.

Has anyone seen Dr. Berkovich at USC?

[aspen]

This is not a fun process at all. Hang in there.

I was so happy to finally get to my first ms specialist. I had had two specialists already diagnosis me with "part" of what had been going on, but not looking at the full picture. It was a terrible appointment -- I pray your first appointment is better! I left being told it definitely wasn't ms, and the doctor implied (language and body language) that I was a malingerer. I left being "done" with the process, and second-guessing my sanity, which as someone pointed out previously, doesn't help.

Thankfully, I did get into another clinic (and hubby and family doc convinced me to give it one more try), and the difference has been night and day. Still in limbo, but like you I had started into another episode of strange, so he was able to get some hard results this time. He is committed to finding out what's wrong, despite it not looking like ms. I definitely feel heard and I trust him :-).

Wishing you the best as you continue this journey. BTW it's also my right side -- which makes it incredibly difficult to function during the weeks it hits (I've had two episodes of this, plus episodes of completely different stuff).

It's my right side too -- which has been incredibly frustrating. Less so now that I've learned it does come back

[minnie76]

Hi!

I've had lightheadedness that lasted a good 2 months...that's how all these weird symptoms started back in October 2011. Since then it usually comes back every 6months or so...or when I get really sick or when I'm exhausted.


Have you been seen by an ENT cause it may be related to your ears! I've also had tinnitus..do get that too?

I was sent to a balance center last year for a few test.

You can try Vestibular Therapy (didn't work for me..but does work if the "crystals" are loose in our ears)

Good luck!

Minnie76

[suziq38]

Thank you both. It just gets so frustrating and I know alot of people here are going through the same experience.

I have had all the bloodwork...all normal. Forgot to mention left hand tremors and major cognitive decline since this began. If not MS, I just want answers.

Has anyone seen Dr. Berkovich at USC?

I am so sorry that you are having such troubling symptoms.
I hope that you DO NOT have MS.
I do not know who he/she is, as I have Dr. Leslie Weiner.
He is very good, but I am sure all of the MS. doctors there are good.
What did your MRI of your entire spine disclose?
Do you have any spine damage that needs surgery?

Before a surgery, they usually have to rule out MS or, the surgery would have been for nothing.

Just keep a daily record of all of your symptoms, so you can share the information with Dr. Berkovich.
Make sure to bring a family member or friend with you, if possible. This is an important appointment.

If your symptoms worsen considerably, email or call Dr. Berovich's office immediately. He probably has a nurse or NP that can answer your questions or speed up your office visit.
If they are really bad, go straight to your nearest and best ER.