Category: Health and Wellness
From what the doctor said, i conclude that the diagnosis is final.
I had a spinal tap three weeks ago. I called for the results, and the very first thing that came out of their mouthes is that I need to see an MS clinic. Thankfully, the doctor referred me to the one that is top in the nation--John's hopkins.
I do not know what to think. I'm pissed off, I'm upset. I'm just, ug, I do not know. Gosh! I wish I knew. I know that MS is not a death sentence, but i've seen it destroy people, and all i can do is pray that it does not do that to me. It runs a different course in each individuals, hence the reason that I hope, i can just only hope with all that is in me, that I will be able to live as normal as possible.
I will not give up living. I have dreams, and I'm going to go after those dreams. I just hope that it allows me a long life that is normal. The doctor said that most people with MS do remain employed and independent, though, it is very difficult. Though I'm feeling many different emotions, I know in my heart that there is a God, there is hope, there is faith, and I'm going to continue going after my dreams.
reina i'm sorry to hear that the diagnosis waws final. in my never to be humble opinion the doctor could use some people skills. something like that should not be told over the phone in the way you heard it. anyway, good job on going to hopkins. it is a big confusing place so please go with someone. i'd say that to a sighted person too. please keep us informed as to what happens.
I'm going to start treatment on the twenty-eighth of September at the University of Maryland. I wanted to go to Hopkins, where my doctor referred me but I had two many problems with my insurance, and I'm too stressed out to fight them. My friend went to the University of Maryland's MS clinic, and she said that they are very good. Her mother also said the same. I took things a step further and talked this over with my GP and another neurologist, and they both told me that their reputation was great. i then did my research, and I found that to be true. So, that is where I will be going.
I'm so sorry to hear this Reina. I don't know much about MS, but I know it's hard. You are a fighter though, I can tell just by what you portray to us in the boards, so I know you can get through this. You have a strong faith in Christ, and that alone is what you need to get through this. I will be praying for you and especially on the day of your first treatment.Good luckand may God bless you and keep you in this troubling time.
Hello Reina,
Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I think you have a wonderful attitude.
You take care and go with God.
reina, all of us are praying for you. hang in there kiddo. will you be an in or out patient? I have a wonderful christian friend named betty who is a doc in the er over there. if you are staying and want her to look in on you to pray let me know. thanks.
Oh my goodness! You guys are so awesome! This is so encouraging. Today has been a very, very rough day. I'm having neurological problems out the ninds. It has been so hard to get things done. I hope that after I sleep well and wake up that tomorrow is better. I'm going to give this to God and trust him to guide me through all of this because i've been lost awhile ago.
Turicane, if for some reason I'm admitted, i'll let you know that. I'll have my lappy with me. I don't go many places without it because it is my lifeline, my sanity, and my bread and butter. I'll also have my cell. In certain places in the hospital, cells are not allowed. i'll have to keep you all posted, such as give you my room number. Hopefully, I will be able to be in and out. That is what is planned right now. But one cannot be sure, as when my friend went there, they ended up admitting her. So, we'll see.
Ug! today is a crappy one at best, as far as MS goes. Oh, so crappy! I'm suffering so bad. I'm going to call tomorrow and see if i can get seen earlier than Monday because I can't wait much longer like this.
I tried to call today, but I talked to some very apethetic people, which is the last thing I need right now. Yayayayayayayayaya! i really want to talk to apethetic people. I so look forward to that! It makes me feel so much better. I hope that tomorrow is better. I hope that they will see me earlier. My dad said to try to push for Friday so he could take me there early. i need help. i need my life back. i need to be me again. I'm so sick of this. Nobody understands my pain, my plight, my suffering. Nobody accept those who suffer with MS. i wish I could feel like I could relate and that others could relate to me. I wish I could just feel okay again. I wish i had my life back. I wish it was all a dream. I wish for so many things.
Ah! It felt sooooooooo good to vent.
reina, if you are that miserable, have him take you to the er. they will have to deal with you there.
no thanks to the eR. They will not be able to do much there. Not what I need anyhow. I need a specialist to evaluate everything. All that they will have at most is regular doctors at the ER, and i could jus tgo see mine at anytime. i could walk in really because my friend's mother works there, and they'll look out for me. But, the regular doc can't do much because he is not a specialist. Still feel like crap today by the way. When does this end? When?
duh reina, i am not that dumb. i realize that their are only regular docs in the er. my point was that if you are in that much pain, go up to maryland and have them see you. if you are in agony in the er, they will call the specialists to come look at you. have been there and done this for other situations. you gotta learn to work the system kiddo or the system will work you over.
duh reina, i am not that dumb. i realize that their are only regular docs in the er. my point was that if you are in that much pain, go up to maryland and have them see you. if you are in agony in the er, they will call the specialists to come look at you. have been there and done this for other situations. you gotta learn to work the system kiddo or the system will work you over.
couldn't have said it better myself, turricane. Reina, I too, have been in situations where I've had to go to the er and they've called specialists to see me.
Turicane, I never said you were dumb. You are actually pretty smart if you ask me, and I enjoy reading all of your contributions to the boards.
as far as the eR goes, I'll just wait until Monday to see the specialist. If it were really bad, such as if I suddenly lost a certain ability like speaking or walking, I'd go to the ER, but I don't really want to rack up the bill if I don't have to. I'm just frustrated and understandly so. I can't wait until I achieve some normalcy. It can be annoying.
Thanks so much to all of you guys who have provided me support and tips thus far. It means a lot to me. I'm certainly going to keep these ER tips in mind should things get seriously bad. I'm feeling a little better today than i have in the past two days or so, so I feel like i can handle waiting, but since MS is unpredictable, things could change. Should tomorrow or Sunday be a different story, and things get really bad, i'll go to the ER. I'll go to the nearest big city, as our hospital is a small town hospital, and it would take forever to get anything done. There is only so much they could do in our ER here, and they'd probably end up shipping me out. I'd go to GW in DC. It is closer than University of Maryland, and it is a reputable place. I'm sure that their ER would be more accommodating than our hospital would, since where I live is a semirural backwards area.
does gw have a good multiple sclerosis program? if you are going to visit a big city hospital in dc, instead of the one you were going to see on monnday, pick the one that has the best ability to deal with ms. unfortunately i don't know which one that is.
Turicane, the University of Maryland is better as far as that goes. But GW would be the one I go to if I had to go to the ER because our small county hospital would not be equip enough. I'd probably end up being sent out anyhow, so to save the extre trip, i'd just go to GW. Thankfully, i've not needed to go to the ER, and I hope it will not have to get to that point.
Many have been asking what MS is, so to provide some information, here is a good website that will give some good insight into what it is. i hope this helps.
Today is clinic day. I hope that all goes well. I'm nervous like crazy.
praying that all goes well. let us know what happens.
Nothing went well yesterday. As a matter of fact, it went horribly. Horibly is not even a word that would fit the situation. My dad and I drove two hours to get to the clinic--that is how far I live away--and because we were late, i was refused. I tried to reason with the people there that we ran into traffic, and they were not having any of it. they said that because of their policy, they could under no circumstances see me. I even offered to sit and wait until the end of the day. i gave them many suggestions. i tried my heardest to be polite and work with them. Still, they would not even budge. They did not even have less then an ounce of compassion for the human life. I never seen such hartless people. Wow.
Now, i'm forced to take action and see to it that certain people suffer the consequences and that I get justice. I'm talking to the office manager and the charge nurse. i'm going to get justice, and it might get very ugly. i'm nice to a point, but some of you here very well know that I do not and will not take any slack off anyone.
Fastforward to now:
I've talked with the office manager and the charge nurse. They were extremely sorry for that way that I've been treated yestersay. They are not only going to give me restitution, they are going to discipline the office staff that behaved indecently, and they are giving me a different doctor at the clinic. I'm so glad that I will finally get somewhere because I'm sick of fighting and I'm sick of MS for certain.
you go girl!!!!! that is inexcusable. so when do you go back?
Good for you Aspie Geek Woman!
I am glad you gave them what for. You shouldn't of been treated that way.
You go with God. My prayers and thoughts and prayers are always with you.
My husband told me to tell you hi and his prayers are with you also.
Good luck to you.
You're not alone, I am a victum of this as well.. You can make it through..
Yaaaaaaaaaaay! I finally did it. I'm getting into Hopkins this Wednesday at nine in the morning. Originally, they were not seeing people until April of next year. I pleaded with them and told them I could not wait that long. I told them i was suffering a lot, and my quality of life was not what it could be at all. I begged them, telling them i have my whole life ahead of me and that I do not want this disease to beat me.
After much begging and pleading, they told me to have my doctor fax the medical records to them. They then review them and let me know if they deemed my situation as an emergency. Apparently they did because I got a call the very next day stating that they could fit me in December 2nd, and this all took place last week!
Now, here it is Monday, two days away from my appointment, and I'm really nervous. I will keep you all posted as to what happens.
Hello Geek Woman,
I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I don't know you, but I have read your posts and really enjoyed them.
You take care and go with God.