Saw the neurologist today. Although extremely nice, he seems to have no answers. First of all he doesn't think this is related to RA (I still think it has to be). Next, he says that it all sounds like MS but tests (including MRI) are negative so how can it be? He didn't suggest second MRI. What he said was, "I won't let you fall through the cracks. I want you to see me ASAP, if anything "wonky " happens.". I spoke with the srcretary and asked how that would work. She said whenever I called , she would get me in within a day, if not the same day. It is a new way of doing things and instead of a 6 month wait time, they can now see patients almost immediately.He assured me that he didn't think I had anything fatal!
In the meantime, I am walking a bit better but numbness in left arm is worse and actually painful.
So good news and bad news. Bad news is that I am no further ahead. Good news is that I really didn't want to have another diagnosis, and the door is certainly opoen for me to go back.
So, thanks for the replies . I appreciate it.
At this point, I'd say focus on the good news. You have a doc who is seriously concerned and willing to go the distance to help you. He's worth his weight in gold. Chin up and DEF. let him know if anything goes crazy with you! I wish you the best!Did he have any suggestions on how to help with the numbness in your arm at all?
My GP is the same way. I can always get in the same day or the next day. It is awesome. Be sure to call him back if anything strange does happen.
I'd tend to go with Katie's suggestion. It takes time any way to get a diagnosis of MS. Like you said, all you need is something more. At least they've promised to see you right away.
You might try wearing a wrist brace on your left hand. This really helps the pain in my hands, wrists and arm. If it is RA, then it is definitely a good solution. You can get them at the local drug store. I was wearing mine only at night. Now, I wear them practically all the time. Be sure you let the doctors know if this helps.
Don't know if this possibility might be of use to you or not but your numbness sounds similar to something I experienced several years ago. I had tingling numbness in my left arm and hand. Came on gradually over a few days but took weeks to go away. At that time I was only seeing a GP as I had been diagnosed already with OA but not RA. Anyway, he xrayed my neck--said I have arthritis there, too, and he thought it was causing pressure on a nerve and attributed the numbness to that. He gave me neck exercises to do and, sure enough, in a few weeks it went away and hasn't come back since. Wierd, huh? Anyway, hope you might find this info helpful in some way.