Results

Well, all looks okay according to the doc. The MRIs didn't show any abnormalities in my brain, neck or back and he EMG showed only showed minor nerve damage from my back to my leg (assuming right). So, with that being said, the doc is putting me on some drug for "irritated nerves." Yep, that's right, my nerves are irritated. I guess I could have told him that but I guess I mean it in a totally different meaning than he does!!! Anyway, he also wants me to see a physical therapist but I am not so up on that one. I really don't understand the reasoning behind it. He said it was to help show me how to move the right way or do things the right way. Maybe stretch the right way? I don't really know. I'll ask again when I go again in two weeks. I have to admit I was REALLY happy that there wasn't anything major but I hate that there isn't more to go on. I have heard this crap for four years now and it is the same song and dance. Maybe the meds will help, we shall see. But, that is it for now....I must feed my kids and get ready for my second interview tomorrow! I am super excited!!! I'll update you guys on that too.

MRIs Complete

The MRIs went well and were done without contrast. It was an easy process..but loud! I had earplugs but still managed to get a slight headache during the procedure. I had my brain (yes, I actually do have one for all you smart asses out there), my neck, and the lumbar region of my spine done. It took about 1 1/2 hours but I did well. I got a little stiff but that is to be expected when you are laying on a hard surface as still as you possibly can. The technician said she got some great images and that the doctor would have the scans within 24 hours to make my diagnosis. I have a scheduled follow-up appointment on March 25 so I'll get my results then. Until that time I'll try not to worry and have only positive thoughts. Maybe I'll concentrate on this job interview coming up! That is really exciting for me..wish me luck! XOXO

The Dreaded MRIs Tomorrow

Well tomorrow brings another set of tests..the MRIs of my brain, neck and lumbar spinal region. I believe part of the test is being done with contrast and part is not. I think they are looking for inflammation or build-up around my nerves. Who knows. I do know he is looking for a virus or signs of MS. Both are scary in my mind so I am a bit nervous of what this test might reveal. My friend and neighbor said it best when she said, "you may come out and see that you are very healthy and that you have a normal brain with nothing wrong." I like her positive outlook...I only wish I could feel so confident. Right now I don't. I have felt too bad for too long and all I want is answers. I don't want to hear, "I just don't know" again. So, lets hope for an easy answer but an answer all the same. ---Just some thoughts.

My EMG

Well, the EMG went well, but the after effect are suckin' big time. For some reason my legs are killing me! But, all in all, it was fine. The doctor was there to perform the test on my muscles and the good news is that they are fine. So, at least we have narrowed the problem to my nerves which is not surprising at all. I am not sure what the electrical portion of the test showed, if anything, but the doctor wants to wait until he gets the results of the MRIs and go from there. He suspects it is either in my brain or spinal cord (whatever IT is) or all this has been caused by a virus that attacked my nervous system. So...again it is a wait and see but we are getting further than ever before and that makes me feel so much better. So ~ off with the family for the weekend to do some fishing, see a great friend, and RELAX! XOXO

Home for the Neurologist

Well, I am home safely from Dr. Rosenfield's office. The appointment went well with tests to follow. Tomorrow I am scheduled for an EMG test. This will test the nerve responses in my legs and arms to see how they are reacting to stimulus. I have had one done before which showed slowing, but Dr. Rosenfield wanted on that was more indepth than the one I had prior. So, off to Methodist I go for the test. No big deal though...just some shock waves sent through me. Next week I am scheduled for an MRI of my brain, neck and lumbar of the spine. The doctor is trying to rule out MS and trying to see if I have a syndrome that he suspects. I don't know the name ~ and he didn't want me to remember it, write it down, or google it yet ~ so I cannot tell you, but it is cause from a viral infection that attacks the nerves. Both tests should be able to tell us if MS or the syndrome are present or suspect that they are present. Of course, the doctor will be able to see if any other problems may be there as well. He definitely knows that something is not right and said he would not stop until he figure out what was going on. Finally, someone who will get to the bottom of this crap and not just blow me off ~ hopefully. But, I promise as the patient I will be more vigilant in my care and make sure that I am heard and well taken care of. I have to...for myself and my family. I will let you all know more when I do. Thanks for your support. XO

Neurological Consultation Scheduled

Tomorrow I go in for my consultation with Dr. David Rosenfield at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston. I look forward to working with Dr. Rosenfield in trying to get to the root of the problems with my legs, arms and chest numbness/pain. I will post an update once I have more to report.

Trying To Get Answers

Have you ever tried calling a doctor's office for some answers and they said they would call you back? And can I ask how long did it take for that return phone call? Well, as I sit here and wait on day 2 - after a call back to the doctor's office for a second time - for my answers! Now I understand people are busy and I am not the most important person in their world but really, my questions were not that hard to answer. And honestly, one of the answers should have been as easy as looking at a chart! Hmmm...anyway, just a little venting on my part. Hopefully the phone will ring soon!

From the Beginning

Late January 2005 I began having episodes of light-headedness and rapid heartbeats with bouts of perspiration and constipation (which had been going on for years). I literally felt like I was having a heart attack. I had an EKG performed, which showed nothing, but I followed up with my general practicioner. He immediately ran lots of blood work and scheduled me for a stress test of my heart. The blood work indicated low potassium and the stress test was normal. I began taking potassium and my symptoms subsided. I was put on blood pressure medicine since my blood pressure had been elevated but when I became pregnant I stopped taking the meds and have not had to begin them again. Looking back on my blood work results now, there was an indication of low thyroid levels but no follow up was ever done.

Mid 2005, while pregant, my personality began to change according to my husband. I began to become more moody and angry. I began to cry more and become more fatigued. Of course I contributed it ALL to the pregnancy. Let's face it, I wasn't as young as I was the first time! Anyway, I had terrible back pain and restlessness in my legs. Again, it was because I was pregnant, right?

December 26, 2005 I gave birth to our son, James. No problems - except I couldn't walk for almost 12 hours after birth from the epidural. But, after that I did fine with only the pain in my back when I left the hospital. I followed up with my obstetrician who told me to see my general practicioner - which I did. I had x-rays of my back but nothing showed up. I was told it would "heal on its own" and sent on my way. As time went on I began to get more and more tired, I guess some would say depressed and very moody. We moved in August of 2005 and it all hit me like a ton of bricks.

After moving to Texas into a two story house my extremeties started to show symptoms of the worse kind. It had gotten so bad I could barely sit on the floor with my toodler and play because my legs would begin to cramp and I could hardly get myself up. I began to feel a lot older than I really was. Not a good sign. Plus, it started to get harder and harder to walk up and down the stairs. Finally, I found a local provider and made an appointment. After an evaluation and blood work, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was amazed actually because I always equated people who had trouble with weight to have this disease. But, the numbers didn't lie, I was hypothyroid. My doctor put me on a low dose medicine and within a few weeks I began to feel a bit better.

Three months later we had to change my meds because my symptoms were starting to show their ugly heads. No problem I thought...we'll get it right.

Fast forward to February 2008...by this time my legs are in terrible shape with numbness and tingling, my arms have begun to have some of the same sensations, and I and finishing up Lyndsey's birthday party and BAM - chest pains set in! Out of nowhere I begin having chest pains on the right side of my chest. They radiated under my arm and up my neck. I thought it was probably a bad case of heartburn since I had pizza and cake but it lasted for 3 days. Finally I went and say my PCP who took X-rays of my chest and scheduled a CT scan with dye to check my heart and vescles...all came back normal. When the chest pains were continuing 8 months later, I had an upper GI, full abdominal ultrasound, and another stress test, all whick came back clean. But....the chest pains still continue today....March 2010!!!

Since my symptoms progressively have gotten worse I decided to change from my PCP to an endocrinologist in April 2009. At first I was happy with the change. He seemed to more knowledgeable and took a scan of my thyroid, changed my meds again and seemed more active with his patients. He took a more active role in the problems with my legs and set up a test to check the nerve response in them and referred me to a neurologist (which I had seen once before and found nothing wrong). I took the nerve test which found some slowing in my nerve responses and I followed up with the neurologist. She sent me to have and MRI on my spine and said their was really nothing wrong but maybe some age related arthritis. Hmmmm....but I still feel the tingling and numbness in my legs...what do I do?

This all leads me to where I am today.....

One day when I had one of my severe migraines and I was trying to fill my migraine medicine prescription, Byron and I were sent to Walgreens to fill it because my normal pharmacy didn't have it in stock. While there, Byron asked the pharmacist a question about another medicine that we have been unable to get. During the conversation she mentioned a world-renowed doctored named Dr. Ridha Arem located right there in Houston. However, he didn't accept insurance and he was expensive to see. The next week I did some research, bought and read his book and decided he was the type of doctor that I wanted to trust with my treatment. Actually, he was the one I wanted to trust with my treatment. So, I made and appointment.

On March 2, 2010 I saw Dr. Arem for the first time. I was a bit nervous but confident that he would be able to sort through my medical history and make heads and tails or it all. First, I do have hypothyroidism as first diagnosed but do not have nodules on my thyroid as my first scan idicated. So, I may not have Hoshimoto's Disease as I was diagnosed as having ~ good news! So, Dr. Arem changed my meds and put me on a compound T3 which is what I was hoping for ~ good news again! However, my blood work indicatd that my adrenal gland is not working properly and that I need a stimulation test to see what is causing the malfuntion. That is to be done is approximately 8 weeks at my next appointment with Dr. Arem. He also wants me to participate in a 2 night sleep study to test for a sleep disorder - possibly sleep apnea. Me, I'm not sure of that, I think I am just a poor sleeper so I will see on that one! Next I have been referred to another neurologist. Dr. Arem would like me to be tested for MS. I am sure it is to rule it out but I would rather be safe than sorry.

I haven't listed all my symptoms and believe me, you don't want me too! But know that they have been life changing for me ~ and my family. They have had to endure a lot of crap from me with my moods and fatigue. And my husband...God bless him, he has had to deal with the most. I just hope and pray he can hang in there for the rest.

I am nervous and hate all the testing and ruling this and that out and the well maybe it is this or the let's try that, but, I am tired and want to figure this thing out! I will keep my family and friends posted on what is going on...the good and the ugly (hopefully not much of that). Keep your good thoughts and prayers going!