If you are not comfortable talking to your Doctor, you might want to
consider getting a new one. Steve saw one neurologist who made his initial
diagnosis and we just didn't like his manner. Too flip and casual and
didn't really listen well. He was good at the diagnosis, but lousy at
bedside manner. Since then, we have seen a new MD and we knew he was better
when he introduced himself by his first name and made us feel like he was a
person, not a machine. He made the exact same diagnosis, but has adjusted
Steve's meds twice based on the feedback he gets from Steve at his visits.
Steve feels he is much more responsive to his questions. It is really
important to be able to describe your symptoms so you can get the right therapy.
He currently is taking Neurontin, Baclofen and an anti-depressant (sister
drug to Prozak, I can't remember the name). He's gradually being weaned off
the Neurontin and will probably need the Baclofen for a few more months. He
does seem to be gradually getting better. Friday, he was actually able to
be the line judge at our son's soccer game. Six months ago, he couldn't
stand for more than five minutes without feeling pain in his feet and legs
and getting extremely exhausted.
I'm starting to get optimistic about his recovery...keep hoping.
Amy Thropp
>At 09:03 PM 3/30/97 -0600, you wrote:
>I am a 26 year old female who has had 2 attacks of TM in the past 5
>months. Basically, I've spent 4 of the last 5 months in the hospital.
>I just got out of the hospital for the second time and I'm seeing my
>neurologist for a follow-up visit next week. Since getting out of the
>hospital, my strength has improved but I've noticed some strange
>things. First of all, my level of injury is at T-6 and I lost all
>sensory and motor from there down. For the past few days, I've had a
>hard time breathing. It feels like I can't get enough air in my lungs.
>Yesterday, both of my legs felt like they were being burned and
>scraped. It only lasted about 3 minutes but it was the most nauseating
>feeling I've ever felt. Also, my leg muscles feel like they're shaking
>from the inside-out. My lower back pain has progressively gotten worse
>and the only thing my rehab doctor prescribed upon discharge was
>flexeril because she said..."you can't be on percocet forever". The
>problem is that flexeril does nothing for me and they make me feel like
>a junkie for asking for percocet.
>I want to go to my neurologist with a list of good questions but I don't
>know where to begin. Whenever I see a doctor I get nervous and forget
>everything and leave feeling more confused than ever. I'm deathly
>afraid of ANOTHER relapse and I don't want my questions treated
>lightly. I desperately need some advice about what meds to inquire
>about and prevention tactics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
>
>Thanks,
>Kara
>
>