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Home » Forum home » New diagnosis and before diagnosis

Help with diagnosis

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Help with diagnosis
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Smiley
07 Oct 2011 at 10:07AM
Top

Dear All,

I am in Limbo as had to move to Denmark for a couple of years just as I had started having problems.

I am 49 years old. I have just wrote down my symptoms for a friend to translate for me so I can take it to the doctors here. Although I have lived here nearly a year I have had my head in the sand and was hopping the symptoms would go away.

Anyone on here want to let me know if this sounds ok to give to doctor? :)

Quote:
I was seeing a neurologist in England before I came out here. He was exploring the possibility of me having Multiple sclerosis, M S.

Recently I have started having more problems.

My right leg drags more often that it used to.
My right arm sometimes has weakness problems and spasms.
My left arm has started to get pins and needles, numbness, slow to move and lack of coordination.
I have problems with constipation as muscles do not always work.
My balance is bad. Coming down stairs is difficult. I sometimes get unbalanced/dizzy just walking along on the flat.
My speech gets slow and difficult when tired.
I have difficulty with my memory. It is hard to coordinate my thoughts.
When my speech is slow I sometimes get a dribble near the side of my mouth.
Sometimes swallowing is difficult.
My right eye sometimes get double vision.
Head shakes more often this makes it difficult to read, watch television or use a lap
top.

Anitra
07 Oct 2011 at 12:00PM
Top

Hi there,

I think that's fine! What might be useful as well is an approximate timeline of when, or how often all these things happened. I.e. a bit more detail than "sometimes". I know it's not easy, especially if you've been ignoring it, but roughly when you first noticed things, how long they took to go away (those that went away), how long before you had any repetition - that sort of stuff.

Obviously, it's difficult, if you and the neuro don't speak the same language, but assuming he does have some English, it's certainly better to talk through your symptoms, rather than just hand over the note.

Because if you don't talk him through it, there's a risk he might (a) misunderstand something you've said, or not appreciate how severe it was, or (b) shove it in the file and forget about it.

So try to talk it through as best you can. Or even better, have the friend with you, as interpreter?

Tina

rizzo
07 Oct 2011 at 12:09PM
Top

I think it's fine too, and would agree that some time scales would be helpful. When did each symptom start? Is there anything that has come and gone or has everything stayed once it's started?

In my experience, it is a bad idea to hand over a list to a neurologist - they never seem to get to the bottom of the list! However, given the language barrier in your particular situation it might be necessary. If you decide to hand something over, make sure not to speak until the neuro has read right to the bottom. The silence may be uncomfortable to you, but remember that he'll be busy reading and you speaking will distract him from the list. When he's finished reading his copy (make sure you have an identical copy), work through it with him - make sure nothing is missed.

Good luck :)

Karen x

Smiley
07 Oct 2011 at 4:05PM
Top

Hi,

Thanks for replying both of you. I have just started a symptoms diary to help me work out when things happen and for how long.

Bev xx

Cbear
07 Oct 2011 at 4:20PM
Top

It might also be an idea to ask a native speaking friend to accompany you; just in case the doctor and you don't have a common language.
I took my sister with me even though I'm a Brit who saw a Brit and having her there was very useful, she was able to explain things when I came over all confused and tearful.
Good luck
Clare

Smiley
07 Oct 2011 at 4:35PM
Top

Thanks.

I think I will get my friend to come along but she works full time so is difficult. Really nervous about going but things are getting worse and more often and need some answers now.

Bev :)

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