Rumors of War - Part One

For three years now I have been putting aside the fact that my right leg has become more of a burden than I opted for. At the insistence of my wife, her family, and friends, I decided to get it checked out. I tried a Neuro that was suggested to me by my PCP, whose considerations were to keep me inside of my Insurance plan. This is not always a good idea, as I didn't like her from the start. She kept insisting that I had back problems, and her favorite question through the first interview was, "are you sure you don't have and back pain"? Maybe she had experienced patients who lied to her, or were not very precise. Well she sent me for an MRI of the lower back, and this is when I found out about my claustrophobic tendencies. "No tube" for this strong, tough, living on the edge Biker, no sir-ee Bub!

I was embarrassed, and humiliated that I could not enter a simple tube for less than an hour, after the things I have experienced. Man I hate anxiety! So I convinced myself that I was OK, and released the Doc with the one track mind, and got back to living. Now I find out that I am not alone in this Anti Tube movement, as the experience reminded me of a coffin, whew! Well worse comes to worse, and it's now two years later, and after moving to Texas, my condition gets worse. I consult with my new PCP, and he examines me, and suggests an Open MRI. OK so I manage it, and figure that I'm done. Yea right, nothing shows but common age defects. Along comes the Babinski test, with an added symptom of "Drop foot" and the Doc sent me to a Neuro in Dallas.

Of course it's MRI time again and Neuro wants a closed MRI. I explained that I get all weird in closed places, and he suggests some relaxing agents that will help me endure this test, as he wants precise images. I like the Doc so I agree. Now to make a long story shorter, the medication (Xanax) works, and with a simple solution from the Tech at the imaging center, "just keep your eyes closed". Duh, but it takes the Xanax to keep me still and calm, for the duration of the test. So for the next month, I go through a series of MRI's, ending with the brain. The Neuro's office calls the very next day, and instructs me to obtain the film from the Imaging Center, and bring them along, as he wants to see me as soon as possible!

To be Continued...