Eyes wide shut...

The last year has been a chore. Moving to another state, and having to find new doctors was a trying feat. Who to pick, what was I to expect, would they be good doctors, and could I relate to them, were the questions that raced through my thoughts. I found it stressful and tiring. I like to do my research through the Internet, it is the best medium and affords one with countless information. Of course it can be full of garbage also. One has to pick and choose their sources carefully.

My personal doctor is a nice fellow, laid back and younger than I am used to. After our chat about my history and medical records, I inform him that I am proactive in my health and use the Internet every day to keep tabs of current events and have done a lot of research on the medical problems that I have. Right away it was like he went into a self defense mode, warning me of the evils and uncertainty of self research and diagnosis! I assured him that I was an intelligent lad, and knew the evils of the Internet and chose my resources carefully. This same scenario happened with my Cardiologist and Neurologist, it seemed like it all came out of the Doctors hand book on "Patient Psychology".

Now I sure the Internet has it's problems for the medical industry, but I found it amusing, all three doctors reacted similarly to this revelation. I think all three doctors are doing there jobs and have confidence in there abilities, or I would walked away if I thought they were not up to the job. My PCP encouraged me to brave the claustrophobic Tunnel of MRI Evil. When he saw that the MRI that he requested didn't show him what he thought might be the problem. He then re-examined me to finally reveal that I had Babinski's reflex, and drop foot. At this time he referred me to A Neuro who encouraged me to continue the MRI's to rule out, or find the cause of my leg malfunction. So we progressed to the brain and bingo, lesions! Of course it led to a Lumbar puncture, which verified what the Neuro expected, MS. I have noticed cognitive slow down, some minor speech difficulties, and the keyboard has been a tattle tale indicator of my progression. It finally sank in, I am impaired. I think human nature leads many of us to self denial, and we have to decide for ourselves that the doctors are right. There are many other signs to be noticed, if we know where to look.

I was glad to have a DX, for now I knew which way to go, or at least where I might be heading. Many are not that lucky, and are held in a Limbo land of medical indecision. Now I could at least take a path of treatment, to maintain the level that I am at now. Only the future will show if it was the correct path, that I chose.