Sunday, January 20, 2013

What the Neurologist Said...

Or, rather, what he DIDN'T say. See, he wasn't even at the appointment! I had the first one of the day (8:40 am), which meant my poor mom and I got up at the crack of dawn to be sure we made it to D.C. in time.

After two large cups of coffee (which I was regretting about halfway to my appointment, IF you know what I mean), we hit the road and got there in plenty of time. Oh, the vagaries of D.C.-area traffic. Had we slept longer and left later, no doubt we'd have been late. But I digress.

The nurse practitioner (NP) led us to Dr. M's office, where she informed us that he wasn't in yet and that she'd get started. Well, I'll spoil the ending for you right now: he never arrived. How nice to have a job where you can decide whether to show up... At any rate, the NP was very competent and thorough. She led me through the same drills that Dr. M usually does: had me walk in a straight line, tested my reflexes, jabbed me in various appendages to see if I could feel things. She asked a ton of questions and, all in all, it wasn't that much different from seeing Dr. M. Then it was time to look at the MRI. This was the part I had dreaded and why my stomach had been roiling.

The computer monitor was facing away from me as she loaded the disc. She was quiet. All I heard was whirring. She said, "Hmmm, that's weird..." I prepared to (a) faint or (b) bolt from the room. Then she said, "Something's wrong with this computer; the images aren't loading."

Now, a normal person would think, "Oh, what a crappy computer." I thought, "Oh, the images probably are so riddled with white blobs [both MS and not MS] that they're slowing down the computer."

Sigh. It's truly exhausting. After what felt like an eternity, during which she kept murmuring and the computer kept whirring, and I kept feeling like I was going to vomit, the images loaded. She scrolled through them and noted...one or two tiny spots, and none of them enhancing, which means none of them are active (for a more scientific explanation, please consult someone smarter than I am).

"Nothing to worry about!" she announced cheerfully.

I wasn't about to press her. She did point out that I have some bulging discs in my neck (here I thought the pain in my neck was my husband - hahahahahaha! Folks, I'm here all week!).

For the persistent and sometimes debilitating  fatigue, she prescribed Provigil, which my insurance promptly refused to pay for. Out of pocket, it would be $600 for 30 tabs. Ironically, I was too damn tired to get on the phone and start arguing with them. That's a battle for another day.

And what about Swank? She, as I had expected, was skeptical about the benefits as they relate to MS, but said as long as I'm getting enough protein and vitamins, there was no harm in trying it.

So, off I go for my morning's Swanky breakfast. For those keeping track: 42 shredded wheat biscuits and 3/4 C almond milk, and a tall glass of OJ.

12 comments:

  1. Confused about "folks I'm here all week" comment. Please explain. Glad to hear the good news! MK

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    1. Oh, that's something silly comedians say after a joke. At least, that's what I've heard.

      As for the good news, thanks! Me too. Now if I could get those *(&#*(^T*&#$S&@ers to get my medication straight, I'd be in business.

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  2. I am so happy that the lesions are not active at the moment. Yay! It seems that neurologists are cut from the same cloth the world over. (Hiss and spit.)
    I find fatigue one of the most debilitating MS things. To the extent that I think it needs another word. So tired I think I am going to puke is not fatigue. And no, a little lie down does not make it go away.
    Good luck with your arguments with your insurer. Lots of it.

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    1. I'm with you: fatigue is (so far) the worst thing for me, mostly for its constancy, if that's even a word. I'm sure with my new exercise regimen (!), I'll feel more energetic. Ugh.

      Thanks for the wishes of good luck. I'll need it. Makes we want to puke AND lie down. Not that that will help...

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  3. I'm so glad for your good news. My niece's neurologist was an hour and a half late to her appointment recently. My sister-in-law is now in search of a new pediatric neurologist. What must it be like to have such an ego that another person's time isn't worth one's consideration? I can't even begin to imagine. Good job with the Swank breakfast. Hang in there...the book indicates the fatigue will eventually recede.

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    1. I read that about the fatigue too. Fingers crossed...

      What an ass your niece's neuro is! I hope she can find one who's a bit more considerate.

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  4. @#$%!! doctors! Neuros especially. I am glad that, overall, the MRI didn't show too much of note. I would've felt like vomiting too.

    As for the insurance company... I think I should contact you off the blog about this. What scum. I'm surprised the price you were quoted was "only" $600. Where I am, it was $1,000 for the one with the generic label (made by the same company that makes Provigil(R).

    As a side note... are any of your white MRI specs on your brainstem? I discovered that people with MS with brainstem lesions, which I have, have high rates of sleep apnea--a source of fatigue that can be treated with a (God-you-don't-really-wish-to-sleep-with-it-but-it's-better-than-even-more-fatigue CPAP machine). Just a thought.

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    1. You know, Ellen, I completely forgot to ask about the location of the lesions. I do recall you mentioning that before; blast! Well, I'm going back in 6 months, after another MRI, so I'll ask then. (As if I'll remember.) I know, I'll call and leave him a message. HAHAHAHAHA!

      Actually, I am "in talks" with his nurse practioner to try to straighten out the meds nonsense. She's quite responsive (go figure), so I can check with her. Definitely worth pursuing. Sorry to hear the CPAP/sleep annoyance. Is it helping?

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  5. See....it's not worth it to get shook up by what they say.
    You have already been leveled by a MS dx...after that how bad can it be?
    At least you got poked during the appointment. My former Neuro wouldn't even do that! We did "finger touchies" but no poking.

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    1. Oh, MOS, don't ever say "...after that how bad can it be?" Have you never seen a horror movie???!!!

      I did nose-finger touchies too. I guess my neuro (well, nurse practioner) likes me better than yours did you :)

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  6. Sounds like things are stable. That's a good thing.

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