So I went to the doctor today even though I was so tempted to cancel. Dr. Stephenson was very kind and I really liked her. We went through all my history and when she asked about any other problems, I told her I really didn't want to talk about anything else until I actually know what I have. She explained that if I don't talk about whatever is going on, she won't be able to make a full assessment. I tried to explain to her that I'm questioning my sanity and just need to know a diagnosis without anyone thinking I'm nutty. I told her about my constant fatigue and memory problems. Dr, Stephenson told me that a common complaint with MS is fatigue and cognitive impairment and that I shouldn't be concerned about what others think. I then told her about how I can be thinking one thing but something else comes out of my mouth and how sometimes I have to search the recesses of my brain for the right word for something when it is something very simple. She was very sympathetic and said that if I am found to have MS, she would like to refer me to Dr. Samuel Brinkman who specializes in neurological psychiatry. Dr. Stephenson asked about my family history with autoimmune illnesses and low thyroid disease. We then went on and she performed some neurological tests. She had me do a heel-toe walk test (which I bombed), stand with my feet together and eyes closed (which I swayed), finger from nose to her finger and back, walking, reflex tests including the Babinski reflex (which the toes on my left foot moved dramatically and the toes on my right foot had slight movement when she ran the pen across the bottom of my feet), and numerous memory tests (I couldn't remember the 3 items she said to me 5 minutes earlier). Dr. Stephenson also checked my eyes and sensitivity to touch. She said that my left optic nerve looked fine, but my right optic nerve is inflamed and was off colored, but not pale. I asked her if that was because my last episode was in my right eye and it just hasn't healed completely. She advised that no, the damage was permanent. Dr. Stephenson said that based on my previous documented episodes and our conversation, she felt it was safe to say that I clinically have MS, but that she wants me to have a MRI and lumbar puncture before she makes a definite diagnosis. Dr. Stephenson did say that there were other things that could cause my neurological problems. For now, she has diagnosed me as having demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. My MRI is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and the lumbar puncture, which will be done by Dr. Stephenson in her office, is at 2:00 p.m. on January 5, 2011. Dr. Stephenson also ordered 17 blood tests, which I had done today (8 vials of blood).
Now that I've done this, I really feel no different about all this than how I felt before the appointment. When I talked to Richard, he is of the opinion that these tests are the equivalent to a field sobriety test for drunks and even sober people can fail them. I really don't think he will accept the test results when I get them...whatever they may be.
So now I have to get past the holidays and move onto the testing phase of all this. I'm really dreading the lumbar puncture because it will be done only with lidocaine for external deadening, but I can do it. The MRI will just be annoying.
Now that I've done this, I really feel no different about all this than how I felt before the appointment. When I talked to Richard, he is of the opinion that these tests are the equivalent to a field sobriety test for drunks and even sober people can fail them. I really don't think he will accept the test results when I get them...whatever they may be.
So now I have to get past the holidays and move onto the testing phase of all this. I'm really dreading the lumbar puncture because it will be done only with lidocaine for external deadening, but I can do it. The MRI will just be annoying.
