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At what point do you say enough is enough?

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Multiple Sclerosis
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Posted 8/17/2006 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I still haven't heard from my second neurologist about my blood tests or my MRI Monday.  Guess I'll call tomorrow and see if there's any results back yet.

Anyway, I'm having really bad muscle spasms in my back, arms, and legs.  It's getting more and more difficult to walk each day.  I contacted my doctor and had him prescribe baclofen.  The Flexeril and Zanaflex just weren't doing anything but making me sleepy.  I haven't started on the baclofen yet.  It'll be tomorrow before I pick it up from the pharmacy.

I was thinking today of all the problems I've had this summer, and wondering when enough is enough.  When do I say, "hey, there's something really wrong and I need immediate help?"  I've gone through so much with the fatigue and the tremors and the buzzing sensation and the muscle spasms.  Now I can barely walk.  When do I decide that I need to go to the hospital?  I'm afraid I'm like the frog sitting in a pot of water being gradually heated up in the stove.  Everything has come on so gradually and so much has built up, that I've gotten used to feeling like crap.  But when do you say that enough is enough and get some immediate help?  My doctors don't seem to have a clue.  I just keep getting the run around.  *sigh*  I'm so tired of all this!

By the way, thanks for listening.  Sometimes a girl's just got to vent!

Posted 8/17/2006 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, I just asked the same question about my s/o.  I can relate to your problem, (but just as an onlooker, since I'm not sick myself) my s/o is going through the same thing.  They are giving him the run around bad.  Now he's suppose to go back to work like this, with no answers, and if anything he's gotten worse.  But he can't quit or he will lose his insurance, so there you go.  I have a bad feeling he is going to get hurt when he goes back to work. :(

Well, anyway just posting to let you know I care.  If you find an answer please share, I would be intreasted to know.  It seems like if your not bleeding profusely they don't want you in the E.R. :( I wish someone would admit my s/o at a big hospital and run all tests in a short amount of time so  he could be on the road to recovery. This is riduclous!

Posted 8/17/2006 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Shashi, you shouldn't expect test results "overnight". You just had the tests on Monday...I'd probably call the doctor in a week or 10 days, if you've not heard by then.

And if indeed you are getting significantly worse, then call the doctor and explain that. Be ready to define "worse"; as in, "last month I could walk four blocks; today it's hard to get out my front door", or whatever your circumstances are.

Indeed, EMERGENCY rooms are for life-threatening injuries. Bleeding profusely, not breathing, massive injuries, that sort of thing. You should be seeing your doctor in his/her office, or perhaps going to an urgent care clinic, but not an emergency room.
Posted 8/17/2006 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Also, when we had blood work done at the hospital for the neuro I went to the hospital and got copies of the results.  The neuro told us she kept calling and calling, and they hadn't sent them yet.  By the way the hospital is like a block away.  So by getting them myself I got them 5 days faster than the doctor.  OF course the problem with that is I don't know what to look for like the doctor does (although I'm learning more everyday) 

As far as the MRI goes, we had them print them out onto films.  We picked them up the next day and hand delivered them to the neurologist.  That may be an option for you.  I don't want to come down to hard, because those people have a zillion blood tests to pass around to the right people, in other words they are busy.  But if you can do it yourself faster, then why not?

One more thing I've learned.  The phone is not as effective as going in person.  When you call they put you off till they have time, and often get too busy or just plain forget.  If you show up, & wait until the nurse can speak with you, you are the priority.  They have to deal with you right then.  In my experience the nurse usually comes out with in 30 minutes.  Which is much better than waiting all day at home for a phone call that sometimes doesn't even happen!

Posted 8/22/2006 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
i understand how u feel ive been through all that for over 2 yrs and have learned to accept that the drs cant know everything like we wish they could just make sure u are see drs that are doing everything they can to see whats wrong and ones that listen to u and try ur sugestions...thats what ive been doing and also ive been seeing a counselor to help me vent my frustration with being chronically ill and i think that helps alot...i also noticed that my flare ups get bad and i cant walk and things like that and the pain ca be so ovewhelming as well as the fatigue but some of the weird symptoms passed and dont come back that often so just try to ge the right meds to help u through it and it will pass and become tolerable but never give up on finding an answer...well this is just what ive been doing so i thought id tell and i hope it helps u
lmb
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