Advice sort

I'm having troubles, blurred vision, confusion, anxiety, memory problems and weepy eyes all thrown in with shaky legs. Some I can attribute to other health issues I have but only some of them. With a never ending thought I'm forgetting something. First time I have ever struggled to do my weekly grocery shop, found myself struggling to understand my shopping list, even though it was clearly typed.

I'm betting my Dr is going to say stress as they have always before. But I'm starting to realise this is not stress, particularly if nothing is stressing me currently. I've accepted that too many time before and been left puzzling over what is causing the "stress".

Off to see my Dr Tuesday, what do I need to be asking for to check if I may have MS. I know lumbar puncture and brain scan but is there any other things I should get checked.

I'm not so concerned if it is or is not MS, more concerned for a diagnosis of what is causing these problems.

[Hidden]

Dear, I don’t have answers either

Keep trying

[Kenu]

Spine and cervical MRI with others. Good luck 👍 🙏 Ken 🐾🐾

[RoyceNewton]

Maybe a neuroligist referal, remember5 thouh I aam NOT a doctor

[greaterexp]

It may be helpful to make a list of your symptoms as they appeared, along with a good general health history. Be sure to bring your list of medications and supplements. I agree that it might help to get a referral to a neurologist or other specialist, depending on your symptoms.

You might expect MRIs of the brain and spinal cord, as well as many other tests. MS can be tricky to diagnose, but I’m glad you are pushing for answers.

Please keep us posted on what you find out and how you are doing. We understand the frustration of being in diagnosis limbo.

[Frances_B]

You need to be requesting a referral to an appropriate specialist. Your GP can't properly diagnose MS even if they were to order all of the usual tests that are part of an MS diagnostic workup - diagnosis really is the province of a neurologist. Given your complex medical status that you've detailed in previous posts, you would be best to see an MS specialist neuro and not just an ordinary garden-variety neuro - although one of those would be better than none at all if your options are limited.

If your GP doesn't want to cooperate with providing a referral to an appropriate specialist, especially with two already confirmed cases of MS in your family, then it's probably time to look for another GP.

Did you follow up with your doctor/s on some of the other things (such as B12 levels and Lyme disease) I mentioned in a previous response to you on a different thread? (although I'm not sure if NZ is one of the places that refuses to accept that there is any Lyme in their country, you have spent time in the USA where Lyme does exist)

[Hidden in reply to Frances_B]

I'm already on my fourth GP, but I'm seeing a locum that pays more attention to my health than my Dr.

Sadly this country is a third world country when it comes to medicine, not that they would admit it! They told me that the PBB poisoning in Michigan was nothing to worry about. Not exactly how the US embassy saw it requesting my details for their records. I would think they have not heard of Lyme disease here, fortunately I had. I will be seeking a full blood workup anyway for the CKD and insisting on some answers. Not buying into the BS I have been fed anymore.

I have ended up with 10 symptoms today, fortunately they have been relatively mild to what I experienced last year, several times. Or I'm getting used to them and managing to keep going despite of them.

Left me feeling uncomfortable when talking to the checkout operator this morning. I stopped mid sentence going blank not knowing what the conversation was about and not comprehending what was happening. Thankfully only a few seconds but enough to give me a kick up the backside to do something about it. Seems like the brain missed a gear and ended up in neutral for a moment.

[Frances_B in reply to Hidden]

Looks like NZ doesn't recognise Lyme except in those people who have been in countries where it is known to exist - such as the USA........ mindfood.com/article/lyme-d...

[MarkUpnorth]

I second what greaterexp and Frances_B said. Yes, document everything before going, request a specialist.