Diagnosis Delayed

In July 1985 I checked my blind spot while driving and was hit with a lightning strike from my neck to my right hand. I determined it must be a delayed whiplash from all my student drivers' sudden stops and starts. Once home, I described this occurrence to my wife. I decided the pain might be treated through a chiropractor.
I scheduled a visit. It would be my one and only visit to his office as he told me it might take as many as a dozen visits to correct my spine. (MS is not adjustable)

The lightning strike continued

Several everyday activities would trigger a similar striking pain down my right arm. I told my wife I can handle this and it just might take getting used to until it goes away. (MS does not go away). It has now been four months, and the tingling pain and pins and needles on the bottoms of my feet are becoming irritable but still tolerable. During a routine prenatal exam, I described my symptoms to our Doctor. He gave me an Achilles tendon reflex exam and reported my reaction was diminished. He asked what I wanted to do. I told him if it became too intolerable, I would ask for a referral.

My tests were inconclusive

Two weeks later, I was in the exam room of a neurologist. After a barrage of tests, his diagnosis was inconclusive. Maybe he did not want to give a wrong diagnosis. When my symptoms now included the MS hug, and a squeezing sensation around my trunk, he scheduled an MRI. The closest MRI available was a three-hour drive away. In 1986 there were few MRI machines. My appointment was on a Friday night at 11:30. The results showed no lesions.

It took seven months to find out the truth

As my frustration grew and the symptoms unabated, the neurologist suggested a spinal tap. Seven months after the first lightning bolt, I was given the diagnosis over the phone. I was home for lunch when the phone rang. It was the neurologist with the news. I asked him about what I should do. He told me if the pain was too great I could travel to his office for a steroid shot. I did not go. I went back to my classroom after lunch. I assigned reading and questions for my classes and I spent time on my computer reading about Multiple Sclerosis. That was thirty six years ago. I am still ambulatory, much slower, but able to do many of my reduced activities. When once I physically competed, I now compete in less active games. Just two days ago I defeated my grandson on a Wii 100 pin bowling game and split two games of cribbage with him.
Lloyd
MS Warrior since 1986