December 22- Visit to the neurologist. Asked many questions, thorough
history and physical exam. Decided that an MRI would be needed. No
immediate danger, was his opinion. Tried to get the MRI that day, due to
insurance red-tape, it was scheduled for the following week.
December 23- Numb feeling began to travel up Kerry's body. He had little to
no feeling in his feet,(left foot especially). Called the GP, and the
neurologist. Decided that an MRI needed to be done ASAP. Went to the
hospital, transported to a facility that does MRI's. After 9 hours, told
that he might have MS. This was quite a blow because the original
neurologist visit left us with no diagnosis whatsoever. Told that we could
do one of two things. Go home and come back after the Christmas Holiday for
a five day stay in the hospital receiving steroids, or begin them now for a
five day stay. Decided to go home and spend the holiday with the kids.
December 24- Loss of feeling getting worse, trying to wait it out for the
kids sake. Brothe-in-law who is a nurse calls the neuro who insists on an ER
visit and direct admission. After much hullabaloo in the ER, it is decided
that a spinal tap is needed within 24 hours and steroids need to be started
as well. The MRI showing a lesion at the T2 T3 level.
December 25- Finally see a doctor other than an ER doc. The neuro on call
does the spinal tap. Painless because he is numb! Chrsitmas was never like
this as a kid!!!
GP on call comes in, she too is a doctor (as with the neuro) that we've never
seen before. They are still saying possible MS.
Dcember 26- GP that we use is in, as well as first neurologist seen. Both
say it is TM, possible MS until all tests prove otherwise. IV steriod
begins.
December 27-30 Visits, pokes, prods, IV's..... Still the same answers.
Could be, maybe, possibly. Nothing definite.
December 30- Released on tapering dose of steroid for two weeks. Still numb
from chest to feet. Able to walk, use the bathroom, do everything as normal.
Very lucky for that. Very uncomfortable, but no pain. In the midde of the
back is a pain. No idea what from.
January- Get second opinion from one of Chicago's top neuro's. Same story as
the others. Sends for Evoked Potential test to rule out MS totally.
Go for Evoked Potentials----Within normal limits hearing and sensory. Good
news.
Second MRI Shows no change in lesion size or position it is located. Neuro
is puzzled because the numbness has subsided, yet the lesion is the same.
March- Neuro says the same thing again, puzzling that feeling has returned
for the most part. Still numb on left calf and foot. Tingling in arms. Go
for Carpal Tunnel Test. Positive. That is reassuring because it could have
been the first sign of MS last year March 1995. On Naproxyn for CTS and wear
splints at night.
July- Neuro visit. Says that the physical exam is good. Gait is better.
Gained back the 25 pounds that was lost in the hospital. Overall, feeling
o.k. Very tired- Possible Sleep Apnea, schedule sleep study for September
18. Probably not related to TM, but could be. Could take Cylert for the
fatigue if test shows it's not Apnea.
Possible that the left leg numbness is a pinched nerve (I don't agree).
Possible that the feeling will never return (agree).
August- GP visit- everything fine.
Three days later GP visit- feeling lousy. Middle ear infection, and URI or
sinus infection. This is how it all began last year. While in the hospital,
they figured that a virus I had in August led to the TM. The virus stemmed
from an ear infection......
Sleep study is in 9 days. An MRI is after that.
I'll keep you posted.
For now, you are all in our prayers, please, keep us in yours.
Thank You
Kerry and Joan
I titled this "our story" because as all of you with support know, you do not
suffer alone, we are all in this together!