Lost in the Healthcare System
Hi everyone, hope you are all managing today! I have been getting symptoms since december: vertigo with nausea, bladder/bowel incontinence, the hug feeling in my torso, muscle spasms on my right side, cold spots on my face, tingling that has turned into numbness on my feet, left leg and torso, and now tingling in my hands. Not to mention the fatigue and burning/tightness in my legs where I now have a cane.
My MRI showed 5+ lesions in my brain and 4 in my spine. I have yet to get into the MS clinic and I was told I have MS 6 weeks ago. I'm feeling very lost in the healthcare system! My question though is if I did have a relapse then why do my symptoms keep consistently changing and getting worse? Since the first one, some have gotten better but it's been consistently adding on. My GP is advocating for me now but no luck yet.
I went and saw a naturopath which I have some supplements for now so at least I feel like I'm doing something positive.
It's been quite frustrating being in limbo. Hopefully I'll have some answers soon.
Hi @silvergyrl and happy birthday for tomorrow. Receiving a diagnosis of MS is a hard time for you. You need to accept that you have a health condition and give your body a chance to stabilise and recover. So, try and rest up as much as possible, research this condition (stick with creditable websites) and try not to worry. Even treat and pamper yourself. You deserve and need it. I can't comment on your healthcare system. Hopefully our Canadian members can help out here. You do need to get into the MS Clinic, to understand what options you have for treatment of the MS and management of the symptoms. If you can arrange this sooner, rather than later, then you'll feel that you are taking an active role in your MS. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have.
Hello @silvergyrl, hello to Canada from the UK! The symptoms you have been having from December, was that your first episode as such? Being newly diagnosed, one of the most common preoccupations often seems to be trying to establish an idea of what is ‘the new normal’ and believe me, after 18months, I am still working on that one. Although my initial relapse ended, from then on, my everyday symptoms and jangles changed and shifted and continue to do so. From what I understand, that could be the impact of residual damage caused by one of the lesions. So, at least you have a diagnosis, you are being monitored and as @stumbler says, they need to whisk you into the MS clinic to receive more practical support and options regarding medications. The search button here on the top left is an excellent way to research first-hand experiences of symptoms, treatments and other things. All the best x