Timeline

[5grahams]

Can someone help me get started on a timeline, are there any examples posted on the forum? I looked at the health pages but didn't see any tips for creating a timeline. Do I just write out what my symptoms are and when they started? Is there anything else I should include/exclude? I am seeing the neurologist on October 31st and I am really nervous, and I want to be prepared, and make the most out of my time. Thanks!

[Fluffysmom]

I also have a timeline posted in my journal, if you want another example.  I'm still in LimboLand, too.  I've now had two doctor's tell me that I'm a great historian; having the timeline written out has helped me to remember what happened when, and gives me something to refer to when my memory goes on vacation.

Best of luck,

Kathy

[JulesL5S1]

You can look on my journal page for my time line.  I am not yet diagnosed and still in Limbo Land.  See if you can check out books on MS from your library or read some books in a large bookstore.  Also, review entries here.  There are many symptoms of MS and everyone has a different mix.  Problems that I have had and are documented in medical records I had no idea could be related to MS.  Now they are part of my timeline.  Especially the MS Hug sensation around my chest about 3 weeks after a major viral illness.  The temporary blindness in my right eye episodes.  The blurry contacts, the hyperactive reflexes, etc.  The list just goes on.  Now is the time to start making notes. Good Luck!

[5grahams]

Thank you all for your help. Mine will be much shorter! I need to see if I can get a copy of my medical records from my GP to take with me. That will help me put my notes together too. I am glad I have a month to prepare. I'll let you all know how it goes!

[Sunnytoday]

Hi there, these are some great examples.... just get out there and do it. :)
Basically, you want it to be read quick and easy, I've found that IF your doctor will take the time to read it, yoou are blessed, and if not, you will want it to be easily read by you. :)

Here's the link to mine in my journal.
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/26209?personal_page_id=1042

Good luck!
~Sunnytoday~

[Lulu54]

I looked and only found the health page about preparing for your doctor visit - it has some very useful tips. I could swear there is a page somewhere about constructing your timeline.  Here's my timeline that I took for my first neuro vist, as well as a list of my doctors, dates of health events and tests, and what drugs I am on.

Maybe between Rena's and mine you can get inspired to think about what had led up to this point.  Good luck.


Lulu

summer 2007 noticed I tired outdoors in the summer heat
Aug. 2007 neuropathy of lower right leg - attributed it to pinched nerve or back problem. Got better on its own for a while
10/1/2007- to present Change of bowel habits - constipation
Oct. 2007-to present Bladder issues - urgency
Oct. 2007 noticeable stiffness in right hip when standing from sitting postion, which I do all day at work
Dec. 2007 general fatigue - still able to function but never reach full energy level
Jan. 2008 Went to ER because of pressure in throat area (like a spasm) that wouldn't let up.  While at the hospital I had a heart attack cause by coronary vasospasm - no CAD, no high blood pressure.  Catherization showed no blockages  but enzymes were elevated.
Jan. 2008 Chest pains at rest - awaken 3-4 times nightly with pain, radiates down both arms  Getting up and moving makes it stop almost immediately. Staying in bed and waiting about 5 minutes also makes it stop
Jan. 2008 memory problems - cardiologist says due to brain on overload from MI. when typing the brain and fingers doing two different things
Feb. 2008 headaches and body aches - I attributed it to Lipitor . At times I felt like my brain was being sucked out of my head.
Mar. 2008 still memory problems and body aches - awake and asleep
Mar. 2008 stopped lipitor w/cardiologist's approval
April. 2008 foot drop became more pronounced, especially when tired and has stayed that way.
April. 2008 got prescription for nitroquik and until Ranexa was added I was taking it once a night to relieve chest and arm pain
April-May I spent these two months thinking there was a mouse in the house because I kept seeing out of the corner of my right eye something dark move.  
May. 2008 went to ER with chest pains that didn't intensify but didn't stop after about 4 hours.  Nitro drip stopped the discomfort
May. 2008 added Imdur to drugs
June. 2008 Added Ranexa to drugs. Nightly awakenings with spasms finally stopped happening 3-4 times a night and decreased to once or twice.
July. 2008 on vacation in Belgium - tired and ready to come home before trip was over. Usually I hate to come home and want vacation to last forever.  The whole trip felt like a struggle.
July. 2008 Stress level up and drugs not working as well for the pain - or pain has restarted and lack of sleep is making me stressed.  Chicken or egg?
July. 2008 Late in the month waking 4-5 times a night with urge to urinate.  Getting no continuous sleep
July. 2008 back to problems with fingers and brain not working together when typing - eg: I would want to type the word "hope" but instead typed "home" or there were multitudes of typographical errors.

[Lulu54]

Rena has given you a great example with specific test results.  You don't say what all you have had looked at so far, so your timeline may be much simpler.  

I think the most important thing to do is write everything down so you have it as a reference when talking with the neuro.  On my first visit my neuro was more interested in my telling my story rather than reading my notes on my symptoms.  That really threw me because I had given him my copy and I had to wing it by memory.

I believe there are examples of timelines on the health pages - I will go look for them and come back and give you the address.

In the meantime, I hope you will come here often and let these wonderful people help you prepare for your October exams.

My best to you,
Lulu

[Rena705]

I don't know that there is a "form" that any of us follow but I will tell you what I think you should do...

Start with your name, address, telephone #, email address (if you want)

Then I would start from the beginning of the symptoms you are dealing with now...for example:

This is a record of my history with Multiple Sclerosis from May 10, 1993 until the present.  Should the records of the tests done and letters written be required by any health professional, I can make them readily available.  To date I have not been treated with any Disease Modifying Drug for Multiple Sclerosis due to the fact that it has been stated to me that it is believed that my disease is “inactive”.

Conclusion:  The episode in March certainly sounds suggestive of a generalized nocturnal seizure and there appeared to be no obvious precipitating factors.  The other episodes consisting of an olfactory hallucination could represent an aura and the one episode accompanied by confusion may have represented a complex partial seizure.  Her EEG on March 19th,  1993 was normal.  In view of the fact that her symptoms raise the possibility of a focal temporal lobe seizure disorder, I feel she needs further investigation and a CT scan has been arranged.

June 1993 – Focal hypodensity in the Right lentiform Nucleus is identified and likely represents a Lacunar Infarct.
  
July 1993 – MRI- Multiple small lesions of high signal intensity are seen in the periventricular white matter.  These lesions are highly suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis. (Report available)

Sept. 1993 – Visual Evoked Potential Conclusion – Abnormal visual evoked potentials with prolongation on the right side which would be in keeping with an optic nerve dysfunction on the right. (Report available)

March 1994 – Cerebrospinal fluid examination noted that both the albumin and absolute levels of IgG were markedly increased, an increased IgG index and daily rate of IgG synthesis at 45mg/day.

DIAGNOSIS:  Multiple Sclerosis, Grand Mal Convulsion, Olfactory Sensations

It is a good idea to note if any results of labs, MRI's, LP's etc. are available for your neurologist to see.

October 2006:  Symptoms include severe ice pick type pain in right temple with ptosis of left eye, treated by Dr.***** with IV Solumedrol and weaning Prednisone with positive results until Feb. 2007.

February. 2007:  Symptoms identical to October 2006, treated by Dr. ***** with IV Solumedrol and weaning Prednisone with positive results until approx. 1st of March 2007.

DIAGNOSIS:  Paratrigeminal Neuralgia (Raeder’s Syndrome)

February 2007:  Was seen by Dr. ****** Ophthalmologist, had full vision exam, Dr. ***** stated, “Any vision difficulties Rena is having is due to the MS as there has been no change in Rena’s eyes in two years.”

July 2007:  Symptoms include pain in legs and hands, severe muscle spasms in legs, neuropathic pain in legs.  Quit smoking, 2 pack’s/day in July 2007.

September 2007:  Symptoms include pain in legs and hand, pain in back due to Lumbar Strain diagnosed by doctor in ER, severe muscle spasms in legs which prompts Dr. ****** to order MRI of Spine and Pelvis to rule out possibility of spinal tumour.  MRI normal (MRI on CD available).

November. 2007:  Developed severe vertical double vision, CT Scan Normal, Blood test for Tegretol level – level result “high normal”.   Speech became slurred and word retrieval became difficult.  Began having paresthesia in legs.

MRI of Brain:  There are a number of white matter hyperintensities.  These are in typical distribution for the demyelination of multiple sclerosis.

DIAGNOSIS:  Multiple Sclerosis

November 2007:  Developed severe pain in heels of feet equated to lightning bolts going through my feet...this pain has since travelled up the backs of my ankles and on occasion, into my large toes.  Nothing has alleviated this pain to date.  After MRI done by Dr. *******, phone call by his nurse advising of diagnosis of MS and advised to seek second opinion.

December 2007:  Swallowing issues which alleviated after the holidays.  Breathing difficulties, difficulty expelling air.  Seen by Dr. *****, given physical exam, advised that MS in her opinion is in-active, advised that pain is of unknown origin.  Dr. Advised that she will not be seeing me in person and all problems will be dealt with through my g.p. who has admitted to very limited knowledge of MS.

January 2008:  Had Barium Swallow: normal, visited ER due to breathing issues, given Prednisone X 5 days, Rx for Spireva and Advair.  Lung Function Test: concern about right lung.  Requested referral to Pulmonologist, reminded g.p.  continually, no referral to date.

Basically I just continued on with any new or continuing serious issues every month...if there was a particular time that I had more problems than others I have documented more than once during the month.  On a separate sheet I have completed a history of my health issues from when I was a child including any and all surgeries.  On another page I have listed ALL CURRENT medications and their dosages.  On one more sheet I have listed the names and specialities of all the physicians I have seen in the past.  Putting this information on separate sheets gives you the option to give it to the dr. or not...some want it, some don't but for the most part it saves a lot of time trying to remember these things at an appointment.

I hope this is of some help to you...others may pop in a have better ideas but this has worked for me.

Lots of Hugs,

Rena