I lost function and dexterity in my left hand...my pcp said i had probably had a stroke..he didn't order a cat scan or mri or anything...i went back 2 weeks later, saw my ob/gyn..told him about the incontinence...he tells me it's normal...i have no children and am only 36...when i tell him about my hand, he suggests a neurologist...no referal...go back to the clinic as a walk in patient, see the temp dr...he finally orders a mri of my head....had 12 lesions, NOT consistent with the "stroke" theory my pcp came up with...off to the neurological clinic in sc....he did all these weird tests...when he tapped my left arm it just went crazy, bouncing all around...sent me for a lumbar puncture...i was really starting to believe i had had a stroke...they call me and tell me i have rr ms...i FREAK..no clue what this is, think it's terminal, have NO health insurance..neurologist prescribes copaxone...experienced some anxiety and paranoia....but mostly it's been a good experience...finally got a referral to a urologist...been on 2 different incontinence meds...i take it at night so i don't have to keep getting up at night to pee, which of course disrupts my sleep...after being awake for 2 hours, i'm ready for a nap!!!! I have absolutely NO energy...it's all i can do just to get up and go to the doctors...standing? while i may have sure footing, i get unbearable pain in the small of my back after standing for only five minutes! i can't wash the heavy dishes, I can't even shave my own arm pit...my arm is too weak to apply constant pressure...i just got a referral for physical therapy...hopefully i can get some function in my hand back and possibly learn some sort of exercise to decrease back pain....i can't take pain pills because of my addictive nature...i'm just so sick of always having to take medicines...i just want a good day....i don't think my disease is quiet right now...i think it has gotten worse since i was diagnosed a year ago....i'm definately afraid of losing my independance...so what should i do? i think i need to face my fears....pull myself up by my boot straps....my having ms does not define me!!!View Thread
Posted bybashfulbecca(FromMultiple Sclerosis: Support Group)
