New M.S. diagnosis.
Hi, my name is Randy. I'm 47 and was just diagnosed with relapsing ms. I went to the doctor around a month ago because I thought I was having a stroke. My left eye was droopy and my tongue wasnt working. The doctor sent me to the hospital where I endured test after test. I had a cat scan, an ultrasound and an mri on my brain. There they found a lesion on my brain stem. They then proceeded to have me do a spinal tap. This tap was horrendous. The doctor couldnt get enough fluid so He poked me in 8 different spots trying to get fluid. I couldnt walk for a week. After that, I had to have an mri on my spine with and without contrast. 2 hours later I was ready to jump out of a window. Anyway, the spine didnt show any lesions. I had to have a second spinal tap, this came back positive in both the kappa light ray test and the oligoclonal bands test. Doctor said ms. He has since scheduled me for a swallow test and ocrevus infusion. My symptoms are severe fatigue, mouth problems (tongue and swallowing), numbness in my left side hands and feet, double vision in my left eye, balance problems, cramps in my legs and erectile disfunction. Anyway, I'm glad I found this website. I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Oh yea, I just recently received my handicap placard for I no longer drive. I'm in the process of seeing a lawyer about disablity.
, I am sooo sorry that they had to do a spinal tap twice. I really think that is really ridiculous. I had this monster for 23 years and I would not even let them do something so evil to me. I went blind in my left eye, and the ophthalmologist did a field test on me to make sure I was blind in that eye, because she was thinking that I may have MS, they sent me to the hosp eye center, which made me get a M.R.I. there, the Neurologist at the hospital saw plaque on my brain and spine and with his expertise, he said the plaque is indicative of a person with MS! I didnt have to do anymore tests, even tho on my papers it said, "probable MS". That was on my papers for 2 more years, because my M.R.I.'s didnt change and one doctor saw it, and said that, "It's a definite now" , because I started having more MS symptoms, like walking problems, weakness and balance issues. I was only 21 when I was diagnosed and they felt so bad for me. They need to do the hot tub tests right along with M.R.I's again n stop those spinal taps that shld be long gone! 
Good grief, Randy (
). No one should have to go through what you did with your spinal taps. OUCH (to say the least). The good news is that you have every right to decline further spinal taps in the future. Maybe make sure it's noted in your medical records how difficult the first procedure was, so you can show future doctors proof, if they ever push back on your refusal to have another one. I am so sorry that happened to you!
I think it's so wise that you are on top of things by getting your handicapped placard and using a disability lawyer. I hope that helps the application process for disability go smoother and faster. And I hope you get approved.
I am glad you found this community and I know I have replied to another post you made (I promise we have more mods here and I'm not stalking you 😉 ). Please keep posting and commenting and don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions or concerns. We're happy to help in ay way we can!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
