At my wits end...
I will try to give the short version.
I have Fibro, CFS, Hoshimotos and several other issues. My pain and fatigue were not being controlled anymore so I decided to go to a pain center at the University Hospital. The worst pain at that time was in my neck so they asked to do an MRI. The MRI came back with some abnormalities that are usually associated with MS. I didn't know anything about MS and proceeded to get upset. My Dr asked to have more MRIs done of the brain and cord. They came back with lesions on both. I saw a neurologist who said that even though I had what looked like lesions from MS, I had no clinical symptoms, so he did not think it was MS. He suggested that I get a 2nd opinion at the MS center at the University. In the meantime I had researched MS and found that I do have A LOT of the symptoms, just not in the degree that makes it a "slam-dunk" diagnosis.
So, I go for my 2nd opinion and talk with 2 neurologists who seem very intent in getting to the truth. The head Dr wants to do more tests. If they don't turn up anything then he wants to get new MRIs in about 6-12 months to see if any lesions have changed. So, now I am getting blood tests, another MRI, some vision test and just went through a 5 day course of Steroid IV therapy.
The Steroids have really messed me up BIG TIME! First I had to deal with the side effects while doing it. Now, I guess I am going through withdrawal and it is pure HE**. I am in pain, dizzy, can't taste right, blurry vision, heart palpitations, feel like I am not "really here", rapid breathing, can't get a deep breath and my voice is all squeaky. I can't take anymore! My last IV was Friday, so 3 days ago. I can't do anything without losing my balance and I can't rest because it feels like my head is filled with helium. Please tell me this will eventually go away. I would gladly go back to being in pain and having zero energy.
I am not usually such a cry baby, but this has been one of the worst experiences of my life and I have been through some tough stuff.
I have Fibro, CFS, Hoshimotos and several other issues. My pain and fatigue were not being controlled anymore so I decided to go to a pain center at the University Hospital. The worst pain at that time was in my neck so they asked to do an MRI. The MRI came back with some abnormalities that are usually associated with MS. I didn't know anything about MS and proceeded to get upset. My Dr asked to have more MRIs done of the brain and cord. They came back with lesions on both. I saw a neurologist who said that even though I had what looked like lesions from MS, I had no clinical symptoms, so he did not think it was MS. He suggested that I get a 2nd opinion at the MS center at the University. In the meantime I had researched MS and found that I do have A LOT of the symptoms, just not in the degree that makes it a "slam-dunk" diagnosis.
So, I go for my 2nd opinion and talk with 2 neurologists who seem very intent in getting to the truth. The head Dr wants to do more tests. If they don't turn up anything then he wants to get new MRIs in about 6-12 months to see if any lesions have changed. So, now I am getting blood tests, another MRI, some vision test and just went through a 5 day course of Steroid IV therapy.
The Steroids have really messed me up BIG TIME! First I had to deal with the side effects while doing it. Now, I guess I am going through withdrawal and it is pure HE**. I am in pain, dizzy, can't taste right, blurry vision, heart palpitations, feel like I am not "really here", rapid breathing, can't get a deep breath and my voice is all squeaky. I can't take anymore! My last IV was Friday, so 3 days ago. I can't do anything without losing my balance and I can't rest because it feels like my head is filled with helium. Please tell me this will eventually go away. I would gladly go back to being in pain and having zero energy.
I am not usually such a cry baby, but this has been one of the worst experiences of my life and I have been through some tough stuff.
My husband called our pcp and she prescribed valium (high dose) for me. This helped me more than anything - to calm down mentally and to help with sleep.
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