Next Step - Lab Results

[cassielynn71]

I recieved a call yesterday from my new Neuro's nurse at the MS Center. My Gallon of blood test results came back all good. She rattled off things I didn't even know they were testing for! Shingles, Hep C, SMO (??? looked it up and don't know why he tested for that), B12, D, Sjogrens, Lyme, Hormones (?), JC Virus, ANA, and about 3 or 4 other things. Everything came back good. I hung up feeling like I should be a perfectly healthy individual, lol.

I go for my MRI's (without contrast (???)) on the 17th and my follow up with him on the 24th. I'm supposed to get a call this week from the Opthalmologist to schedule thier testing a day before the 24th. And then on the 24th I find out if he's going to do the LP.....eeeeeek.

I have to say, if he comes back and tells me I do in fact have MS, I promise I'll put my doubt to rest and truly believe it. I told my Mom that as well and she said she'll actually be relieved because I sound crazy when I talk about NOT believing I have MS, lol.

Thank you all, by the way, for all your kind words, support and advice from my previous post about this mess

Stay tuned!

[jimeka]

Good news as to the blood test results. Hang in there, hugs Jimeka 🤗

[cassielynn71 in reply to jimeka]

One day at a time <3

[greaterexp]

Thank you for the updates. Please keep them coming.

[cassielynn71 in reply to greaterexp]

Yes ma'am will do

[kdali]

Ty for the update! Glad to hear your blood is good!

[MaryAZ]

Get a copy of the written MRI report. You should also be able to get a copy of your blood test results. Most doctors have patient portals and you can check to see for reports.

[cassielynn71 in reply to MaryAZ]

Yes, I have all the copies of every MRI and 'had' all my bloodwork results in my patient portal. There is an entry for the day I got my past bloodwork done but when you click on it, it now says "Information not found". This had to have happened in the last 6 mos because I've been in my files before that. I actually had a binder that I kept a copy of all my tests & procedures in. Once I was finally diagnosed w/ MS, I apparently ditched it. I can't imagine where it could be. We've moved 2 times since then. I will most certainly start keeping both hard copies and a digital file in my phone of all of my new tests. My new neuro practice isn't part of the network my old one was so I imagine they have thier own set up I will have to log into. And on we go!

[mrsmike9]

Have you had a lumbar puncture yet? I've had two. The first one I was so anxious about but it wasn't Nearly as bad as I though. The second time the only thing I was worried about was I had a broken arm on the side they usually have me lay on. Fortunately he was able to have me lay on the other side. Afterwards they warn you of a possible terrible headache. After both of mine I had Perfect posture and went straight home and lay on my bed with no pillows for a few days. Never got the headache either time.

Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes and the results.

[cassielynn71 in reply to mrsmike9]

Thank you! That helped a lot w/ my anxiety over it. No, my first neuro didn't think an LP was necessary because she felt she had adequate MRI & blood test results and my past and current (at the time) symptomolgy. I surely wasn't going to push for one, lol. I will definitely keep you posted.

My Opthalmologist appt couldn't get scheduled before my follow up w/ the MS Center. So I have my MRI's on the 17th, my follow up appt on the 24th and my eye appt on Nov 5th.

Thank you again for your LP experience info!

[mrsmike9 in reply to cassielynn71]

The worst part, at least for me, was the initial stick when they numb it. Like any shot you will feel the prick. It's odd getting it in your back, though. When they do it you will feel pressure. Pressure is no big deal. While they are doing it you will be on your side in a tight fetal position. I believe that is to help the vertebrae separate. Once it's done KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT! This should help against the bad headache. Ask ahead of time if you are unfortunate enough to get one, what can to take to help. That way you won't be in the middle of it later and think "help!"

Just think, women now get pricks in the back all the time now for labor. You can do this!!!

[cassielynn71 in reply to mrsmike9]

Lol, yup, I was one of those women. One spinal for a C-Section for my 1st child and one epidural for my 2nd child (the others were natural). I keep telling myself it's gotta be easier than that! No labor pains to breathe through in order to stay perfectly still, lol. Of course the labor pains were also a distraction from the needle in my back......I have perfected breathing through pain over the years and that is what my 'go to' will be if I have to get this. I am hoping I don't but my gut tells me I will need to have it done. This new neuro seems to be incrdibly thorough!

[mrsmike9 in reply to cassielynn71]

So then you already know! When I had my 9 1/2 lb. daughter you had to know someone to get that! I had to go natural! (No wonder my other 3 were adopted!)

[cassielynn71 in reply to mrsmike9]

Well yes, but it's been 23 years, lolol. And yah, I totally get it about having to know someone. I was living in northern VT for my 1st one and they didn't offer epidurals at all. But after 28 hours of hard labor w/ no progression they finally opted for the C-Section I had been begging for! I WELCOMED the needle in my back at that point! Lolololol. The others were born in California and Virginia....in civilization, lol.