MRI's Spinal Specialists and now Neurologist

PollySid
PollySid Member Posts: 343
edited 29. Jan 2013, 16:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,
It's a while since I posted, so just for a recap - I have OA in my spine, and various other joints.
I was sent for a lumbar/thoracic MRI which showed a protruding disc as well as the OA. My Thoracic spine was ok.
The specialist was concerned about the bad co-ordination in my legs so sent me for a MRI on my neck. This showed a protruding disc in my cervical spine plus the OA.
He still didn't think the problems I had with my legs and the jerkiness of my walking was due to this so now I am waiting for an appointment with a Neurologist. I am a bit worried that they may be thinking I could have MS.
I think I am reasonably ok until I walk out anywhere, then I can't walk well at all. I would fall without my stick, and I walk into things unless I concentrate all the time. Yesterday after the Supermarket run both of my legs literally gave way on me when pushing the trolley back to the car. If it wasn't for the trolley I would have gone down onto my knees in the carpark.
The good news is that I have got the medication sorted so that I have less pain most of the time.
As with many other people I am waiting for the 'beloved' ATOS to get back to me re my appeal (they gave me nil points last July and I appealed straight away). I rang them a couple of weeks ago and still waiting for their return call. I retire officially 5th March so think they are biding their time hoping I will go away. I feel that they owe me at least WRAG money for the last year so will go to the tribunal (if I ever get one) to fight for it to be back paid. My 12 months of contribution based finishes on 2nd Feb so no money for a month until pension.
That's me up to date, bored and lonely, wish I was able to work. Got a cold too, didn't give hubby my tonsilitis from 2 weeks ago so why has he given me his cold. He said cos he is more generous than me!

Comments

  • wall1409
    wall1409 Member Posts: 294
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Bless you, us 2 are in the same boat, I have OA of the lumbar spine with disc bulge and now new diagnosis of FM. I started developing symptoms of nerve damage, pins and needles hands and feet as if you have been out in the cold and that feeling you get when your body is warming up, I have constant tinnitus and light headed, unbalanced and am also waiting to see a neurologist, appointment is 4th March but it cant come soon enough, my rheumatologist actually said to me he doesnt think its MS! the thought hadnt even occurred to me.

    This is a wonderful site with lovely people to chat to.

    Wendy xx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's nice to see you again, PollySid, but I'm sorry things haven't been going too well for you. I hope the neuro will decide it's nothing too alarming.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi polly
    Its good to have you back, only6 sorry your are suffering like this,I do feel for you.
    Hopefully the neurologist will be able to see what is going on, and I do wish you Good Luck with Atos...please let us know how you get on xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • wall1409
    wall1409 Member Posts: 294
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm still working although on sick leave now. This Asos and Wrag are all unknown to me but isnt it bad enough we have the worry of diagnosis and this horrible disability to contend with, what planet are these people on and a good suggection may be to employ people who actually know how disability effects people. I used to be a welfare rights advisor many moons ago I attended a special open air school as a child due to bronchitis and chest related proplems but it made me a better understanding person when it comes to disabilites. These decision makers should to me be at least in touch with people with all kinds of disabilities prior to being accepted for that position, at least some knowledge in the field good grief I wouldnt have got my job if I wasnt duly qualified. Sorry, but it makes my blood boil how we are put through this we are all scroungers attitude!!!1

    Wendy
  • PollySid
    PollySid Member Posts: 343
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the replies. I was having one of my 'panic if I go to bed in the dark so sit up half the night' evenings. I ended up going to bed at 2.30am, then got up at 7.30am. Not really enough sleep, but I can always nap in the afternoon when he goes to work.
    I don't know what brings these panics on, every now and again I have a night like this. I hate it as I feel much more 'normal' if I sleep a nice 7-8 hours during normal bedtime hours.
    I may be a bit depressed, but I don't want that label as well as the others and I definately don't want more tablets.
    On a lighter note my eldest daughter's wedding (well civil partnership) was last week. I wasn't sure how I would feel as I had not been to one of the CP ceremonies before. I needn't have been concerned as it was a lovely day, everything went well with no hitches - apart from the bride leaving her bouquet at home and everyone having to wait at the register office for it to be fetched before she would come in. My (very nervous) daughter got left stood waiting for her for an extra 15mins, good job it was in the same town. I left the day feeling happy that they have found each other as the love between them was obvious. My daughter sees it that you fall in love with the person, and that the fact that her special person is female too is irrelevant.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi PollySid, it's good to hear from you again but I am sorry that things are not going too well. I'm going through a rough patch at the moment and saw my GP yesterday: she has increased my anti-depressants by 10mg for the next month to help me cope better with the stress of our current situation and my increased pain levels. It's day two and I can already feel the benefit: I am less stressed, feeling more confident about my ability to cope and generally easier in my mind which is both comfortable and comforting. I wouldn't say that I was depressed (I was after the initial OA diagnosis in April 2011 hence the initial course of anti-deps) and I wanted to come off them that summer but my rheumatologist discussed it with me, making the reasonable point that if I'm fitter mentally I can better cope and she's been proved right.

    You dont have to tell people you're taking them, that's not their business is it? There's no shame in them, like all meds they are meant to help and they do. Have a little think about it, don't dismiss them out of hand; you are under a deal of strain at the moment and if they could ease some of it think how beneficial that could be. Take care. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We all have our preferred ways of coping with things. I don’t know why you feel such panic though the stress of uncertainty plus that of an impending wedding/CP might account for at least some of it. Perhaps things will be easier once you’ve seen the neuro and got your ATOS verdict.

    As for your last sentence – quite right, too. Love is love is love and we need more of it not less.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • lululu
    lululu Member Posts: 486
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there Pollysid I think there is more of this ms around than I thought I too am going through the same investigations, I have provoked potentiols next week. I think I have already convinced my self of this as I have more than just a few symptoms but you never can tell. but I just want to say how lucky your daugther is to have such an understaning mum!