Thanks again Rena!

[Fendigirl]

I've been quite emotional lately. Your email brought tears to my eyes. It is so wonderful to know that a complete stranger would take the time to answer my questions. I"ve gotten more support and great advise from you than I have from any medical person that I've seen so far. I appreciate your post SO much, especially since you must be going through your own difficult times.
Yes, I have been through an in office examination.Everything was fine. I've also had a visual eye test (flashing lights kinda test) which was fine. I do have a gp and will take your advice and ask- make that DEMAND for an appointment with an ms specialist. I am interested to see how my neurologist
( I see him in 2 weeks) explains the lesion on my brain- he told me my symptoms were due to stress!
Do you think that seeing a neuro-ophamologist (I have an appointment) can shed any light on what's going on?
Also, friends have told me that I might have fibromyalgia,or Cronic fatigue but I don't if these conditions can cause lesions?
At my appointment with the neuro, should I be asking for some meds to make me feel less fatigued? I don't really know whats out there. You can probably tell from my questions that this is all new to me. Thank you once again.

[Fendigirl]

Thanks again.
I just found out that the neuro that I was sent to, IS a MS specialist!!!! The one that told me my problems were due to stress! I see him in two weeks. I want to see what he says about the lesion. I'll let you know what he thinks. bye for now. Take care.

[Rena705]

Hi Fendigirl and being emotional is something we here can all relate to!  Dealing with what we are dealing with is an emotional journey and we have all the reason in the world to be scared, overwhelmed, feel alone...there is a multitude of emotions involved!

That is the first really good reason to be here!  We can help you work through those emotions that are difficult to share with anyone else.  While you are going through this and your family and friends are on the outside watching, they don't as a rule "see" anything wrong so they tend to not see anthing that you may need support with.  We on the other hand don't have to see anything...we are listening and your family and friends will, as a rule become more supportive as time goes on.  So that is one less thing to worry about..they will come around as you get more information, they get more information and you will be surprised!

There can be other reasons for lesions on your MRI but they are few and far between and you are young to have lesions due to aging.  I agree that it will be interesting to hear what your neurologist has to say...but like I said, be firm but polite when you are speaking to him...don't burn any bridges...you could need him in the future for follow up care so  you want to keep him in your pocket so to speak!  tee hee

I think that seeing the Neuro-Opthamologist is probably a good idea and you should explain that you are searching for a possible MS diagnosis (I think he already knows that doesn't he) but he can confirm or deny any instance of Optic Neuritis you have or many have had which is generally one of the first symptoms of MS.

Fibromylagia or Chronic Fatigue while may show similar symptoms to MS do not cause lesions on your brain.  I am currently booked for an appointment with a Rheumatologist in June to discern the possibility of Fibromyalgia.  This was at my request however, so my g.p. doesn't have any clue as to whether this could be the problem or not.  

As far as meds for the fatigue, I don't know that a neurologist would give you anything like that unless he knows what the heck he is dealing with.  I will ask around and see if there is any such thing and get back to you ok?

We all start somewhere Fendigirl and this is a good place to be ok?  If I don't know the answer to any of your questions, I will try and find an answer ok?  You see now if you can get ...I mean DEMAND an appointment with an MS Specialist through your gp and let me know how that goes ok?  Just don't forget...don't burn bridges...we tend to have to kick ourselves in the backside when we do things like that, right?

Keep in touch and let me know the next step that you make and if you have any questions, just ask ok?  I will be here for you!

Lots of Hugs,

Rena