Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Poked and Prodded

I had to go to the neurologist today for an evaluation.

I have been poked and prodded.

I have been stuck with pins and found I was numb in places I knew, and in places I didn't.

I have been pushed against and made to push back.

I had to walk in straight lines in strange ways, and close my eyes and tilt my head back, and pray the doc or my Hubby would catch me because I was going down.

I had to regurgitate most of my medical history from age 19 until now.

There was good news and not so good news.

The good news is that the doctor does not think that I have Multiple Sclerosis.

The not so good news is that it seems that I do have Peripheral neuropathy  which does often pop up with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

In fact, the doc mostly believes that all of the 'new' and some of the 'old' stuff I have going on is linked to my Lupus not being the 'sleeping giant' that I thought it was being.

So, the next step is and MRI of my brain, neck and spinal cord.

Then, following that, an evoked potential EMG in his office.  For those of you not familiar with the test, it is when they stick small needles into your nerves and run electric through them to test your nerve function.

The last time I had one, in 1986 on my forearm and wrist, I passed out on to the floor.   My doc today assured me that I will be laying down and he will stop if it is too distressing.

He mostly wants to get my left leg and foot done because that is where most of my trouble is coming from.  And, the entire bottom of my left foot was numb and I didn't even know that!  LOL

Ahhh yes, the joys of an immune system that likes to attack its own body!

Well, at least I am not going crazy!!  That would be worse right? 

I will let you all know how the testing goes.  I don't even have a date for it yet.

I will be on tomorrow with a good 'normal' update I hope!

Oh yeah, please go over to CarnivAOL it was published yesterday and the entry will tell you where to click to so you can check it all out!   Next issue, in two weeks, I am the host!

be well,
Dawn

 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

(((Dawn))) I'm sorry you have to go through all that poking and proding!  :(  Hang in there--you'll get through.  I'll be thinking of you--I hope things go well, and you aren't in any pain or anything.  Take care--  Julie

Anonymous said...

aaawww I'm so sorry... but at least you know and things can be treated.. or somewhat.  Glad you're not crazy!!!
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update on what's going on with you.  I feel as if I am right there with you.  When I went to the lupus awareness convention I found out a lot of things about lupus that I didn't know.  My seizures, fevers, lupus fog, headaches, hives, numbness and all that good stuff are still a part of my flares. So I am glad that we are all learning about our illnesses.  Please keep us posted with the neuropathy thingy.  Because I was told that I need to talk to someone about seizures.  I'm a coward though.  Hugs and the next time they push you please tell them that Tish will push them back for you.  (giggle)

Anonymous said...

"normal update"?  What's that all about?  You're NOT normal!  Neither am I!!  That's why we write and strive and hope and bitch and laugh and cry here in the blogs.  Normal people are too busy being normal.  Fuck 'em.

Hug,
Russ

Anonymous said...

Good luck on your next visit to the Docs Dawn. I will think of you while away. I laughed at Russ comment, yeah, can anyone explain what NORMAL is please????

Gaz oxoxoxxoxo

Anonymous said...

keeping you in prayer

Deb

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry you have to go thru all of this!  Keeping you in my prayers.  Fill us in when you know more.

((hugs))
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Poor Dawn, Your in my prayers, I hope all the testing goes well.
hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Hmm, sorry to hear that lupus continues to rear its ugly head. Good luck with the EMG, Dawn

Anonymous said...

Sorry you have to go through all this testing. It is such a drag. Everyone says EMGs hurt like hell. I'm one of the weirdos that thinks they tickle. I laughed my ass off when I had my arms and hands done. Yeah, I'm a freak. Keep us informed of how your tests go. Oh, and reward yourself with exotic coffees. You deserve that!--Cin

Anonymous said...

Dawn dear, it is good news that MS is not likely -- but not so good that the lupus is being active.  I do pray the EMG is not as hard on you as it was previously.  I can't imagine any doc dumb enough not to have you lying down with that test.  I have watched my DH have it done twice now on all four limbs and the second test they did at KU Med Center included some extra spots.
I am very sorry you are fighting the PN too, on top of everything else.
loving you
karyl

Anonymous said...

im sorry more things are adding on to your already bad illness i myself know how you feel. I feel like crap as well today.

Anonymous said...

I think my most fun test was when they tried to find out why my saliva glands would shut down as a response to certain foods. I spent 40 minutes with a specialist trying to insert a tiny tube into the duct in the inside of the middle of my cheek. We had to sit with him between my legs and our faces as close as kissing.
He never did manage to get it in!!!

I said afterwards sex would have been preferable as it would have been over quicker ad he wouldn't have been so 'In my Face'.  ....The joys of being a medical mystery. lol

Linda. xx

Anonymous said...

Poked and prodded is not necessarily a bad thing!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard/

Anonymous said...

What a literal pain those tests are Dawn.  The EMG is the total pits.  I had one years ago.  Not every day or every entry can be a happy dance one.  Sometimes you make it so easy for us to forget just how much you suffer and are in pain which is a huge credit to you.  Keeping you in my prayers for the rest of the tests.  HUGS Chris

Anonymous said...

Just stopping by with a hug!
heather

Anonymous said...

(((Dawn)))
My husband had an EMG done a few years ago. Hang in there and know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers!

Hugs,
Gretchen