I spoke with Dr. Greene about my secondary tests. It's all clean except for one lesion on my spine and the B12 questions I have. We had a really great conversation (she gave me her personal cell, who does that?) about the meds, alternative treatments, my other doctors, and she is open to all options for treatment. I have to say it's unbelievable how I have fallen in with the doctors I have. I consider myself very lucky. We are going to meet on the 28th to discuss the meds in depth and review what I plan to do moving ahead. In the meantime she will forward everything to my two other doctors and get them all talking next week.
I have decided not to take any meds and see how things go for 6 months to a year. I plan to go with the swank diet, meditation (helped me alot), and exercise. The diet itself has not been hard to adapt to. The only problem is making sure I get my 20 unsaturated. Moving ahead I plan to continue to educate myself on MS as much as I can and keep my mind open to any new natural treatments I may come across. It will be interesting to see if Dr. Qutab has any dietary adjustments based on my blood tests and history.
Once everything is solidified I will give you another update.
My follow up test results are as follows.
No Lyme
No Lupus
No Thyroid
No Syphillis
No Celiac antibodies (in the family and can have an effect with meds)
No inflammation markers
B12 is good at 800 ( I am taking 8000 a day so I have some questions here)
MRI
1 small plaque (lesion) on the spine at C2-3, off left of midline
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
PART V
continued...
MRI results are what she referred to as classic. Classic cannot mean anything positive for me. The breakdown is 8 total lesions with one active (eye), the largest of which is 7mm. 3 of the lesions I have form the "classic" Dawson's Fingers. As you can imagine this all leads to MS being the 95% or better diagnosis. From all my research last night I don't find anything other than MS that creates the Dawson's Fingers (please correct me if I am wrong). I am in her mild classification of MS.
In her opinion with everything lined up, I have MS. We talked a bit more and went over the additional testing that is normally done. The spinal MRI, additional blood tests (Lyme, Lupus, etc.), and the lumbar puncture. At this point she tells me I don't have to have any of them if I don't want to as she that confident I have MS. All the time willing to do any tests I would want. After reading about Dawson's Fingers and reviewing everything I actually agree, not that I want it but it seems to all add up. I decided to go ahead with the spinal MRI and all the blood tests and skip the puncture at this point.
We then discussed all the medications (she wants me on something soon) and all the baggage that comes with them. I have done a lot of reading on the meds and I have to say I am not really comfortable with them and I am hoping I don't have to take any of them.
Big breath...here comes nutrition and Dr. Qutab. Here I learned a few things, Greene has had some alternative medicine training with Andrew Wiel and she agrees that a healthy diet is "better for the overall health" of the patient. While I don't think she is a Swank supporter as treatment, she seems willing to incorporate nutrition and Dr. Qutab into the picture and is willing to speak with him as well.
So to wrap up another long story (hope some of you like to read) I think I have the 3 doctors I am going to use to get me through what ever lies ahead of me and my family. My plan is to have my blood test today and MRI next week. After I have all the tests back I am going to forward them to everyone and ask them to contact each other to review the results. Then I will have to decide how I proceed with everything. Hopefully my mind stops spinning soon and I find my path.
next Qtab,more tests, and B12
MRI results are what she referred to as classic. Classic cannot mean anything positive for me. The breakdown is 8 total lesions with one active (eye), the largest of which is 7mm. 3 of the lesions I have form the "classic" Dawson's Fingers. As you can imagine this all leads to MS being the 95% or better diagnosis. From all my research last night I don't find anything other than MS that creates the Dawson's Fingers (please correct me if I am wrong). I am in her mild classification of MS.
In her opinion with everything lined up, I have MS. We talked a bit more and went over the additional testing that is normally done. The spinal MRI, additional blood tests (Lyme, Lupus, etc.), and the lumbar puncture. At this point she tells me I don't have to have any of them if I don't want to as she that confident I have MS. All the time willing to do any tests I would want. After reading about Dawson's Fingers and reviewing everything I actually agree, not that I want it but it seems to all add up. I decided to go ahead with the spinal MRI and all the blood tests and skip the puncture at this point.
We then discussed all the medications (she wants me on something soon) and all the baggage that comes with them. I have done a lot of reading on the meds and I have to say I am not really comfortable with them and I am hoping I don't have to take any of them.
Big breath...here comes nutrition and Dr. Qutab. Here I learned a few things, Greene has had some alternative medicine training with Andrew Wiel and she agrees that a healthy diet is "better for the overall health" of the patient. While I don't think she is a Swank supporter as treatment, she seems willing to incorporate nutrition and Dr. Qutab into the picture and is willing to speak with him as well.
So to wrap up another long story (hope some of you like to read) I think I have the 3 doctors I am going to use to get me through what ever lies ahead of me and my family. My plan is to have my blood test today and MRI next week. After I have all the tests back I am going to forward them to everyone and ask them to contact each other to review the results. Then I will have to decide how I proceed with everything. Hopefully my mind stops spinning soon and I find my path.
next Qtab,more tests, and B12
Saturday, November 22, 2008
PARY IV
Wednesday the 24th I woke up eager to get to my appointment today with Greene-Chandos at Forsythe Neurology and took the 1:15 minute drive in stride with the help of my wife and family. Once at the office (20min early) I signed in to get the paperwork and get things rolling only to find......the doctor is not in the office. An emergency the day before cancelled all her appointments on Wednesday. When does a guy catch a break with all this? Why wasn't I called you ask, because they never got ANY records forwarded to them and "apparently" my wife never left a number or any contact information. Being that she spoke with them the day I started my Solu-Medrol, from the hospital I guess that's possible but highly unlikely. After some discussion, since I was there I did all the paperwork, copied my records, gave them my MRI CD and then I got lucky, they had a cancellation for the next day at 11am while I was standing there.
Thursday the 25th
Back at the doctors, weigh in, blood pressure etc. More waiting after that in the examination room where all the nerves, emotions creep back in. I passed the time checking my bad eye on the eye exam chart. Back to 20/15, line 9 at 15 feet. Waiting is the WORST part of all of this. Finally the doctor comes in and we go through all my history, then the family illnesses etc, etc. Now one of the big ones for me to discuss was the Atlas Orthogonist. 10 years ago I had 3 fingers (pinky in) on my right hand go numb, it then spread to my other hand to the same place. Long story short after a brief medical doctor tour my mother suggested seeing an Atlas Orthogonist (less than 200 in the US). After my first adjustment it took 2 weeks for numbness to dissipate. I have been going since then 3 to 4 times a year. If my hands act up in between I go and I have instant (seconds) relief of any problems. Greene says this issue sounds like a cervical issue and to keep going. I will have Dr. Meehan (Atlas doc) conference with her and she is open to working with others. Great news for me. Next up the neurological tests which I passed with flying colors. Minor eye exam was next and she was very surprised at how fast things had come back so far. Good news up to this point everything is great (I was really liking the doctor and how she was handling everything so far). She then excused herself to go read my MRI. Here we go...more waiting.
Thursday the 25th
Back at the doctors, weigh in, blood pressure etc. More waiting after that in the examination room where all the nerves, emotions creep back in. I passed the time checking my bad eye on the eye exam chart. Back to 20/15, line 9 at 15 feet. Waiting is the WORST part of all of this. Finally the doctor comes in and we go through all my history, then the family illnesses etc, etc. Now one of the big ones for me to discuss was the Atlas Orthogonist. 10 years ago I had 3 fingers (pinky in) on my right hand go numb, it then spread to my other hand to the same place. Long story short after a brief medical doctor tour my mother suggested seeing an Atlas Orthogonist (less than 200 in the US). After my first adjustment it took 2 weeks for numbness to dissipate. I have been going since then 3 to 4 times a year. If my hands act up in between I go and I have instant (seconds) relief of any problems. Greene says this issue sounds like a cervical issue and to keep going. I will have Dr. Meehan (Atlas doc) conference with her and she is open to working with others. Great news for me. Next up the neurological tests which I passed with flying colors. Minor eye exam was next and she was very surprised at how fast things had come back so far. Good news up to this point everything is great (I was really liking the doctor and how she was handling everything so far). She then excused herself to go read my MRI. Here we go...more waiting.
Friday, November 21, 2008
PART III
Slowly at first my eye seemed to get better. On the 4th day out of the hospital it may a huge leap. As of Sept 23rd, day 10 my vision is totally clear of the film type issue and I have very little double vision. All the doctors have told me with this fast of recovery I can expect to be back to 100% eventually. No time period given of course, up to a year but looking more like a couple weeks after treatment.
My next step was to see neurologists. I was lucky enough to get in qiuckly to 2 of the top MS specialists in my area. The first was Dr. Jeffery the MS specialist at Wake Forest Baptist on September 22nd. I was really looking forward to getting things to the neurologist and making a plan for the days ahead. Using diet, exercise, and if need be down the road medication. Well to keep this part short the meeting went like this. 10 minutes long, the diagnosis came off the orignal test WITHOUT actually viewing the MRI, no ruling out Lyme, no further tests, diet has nothing to do with MS you could eat McDonalds for the rest of your life, no more atlas orthogonist adjustments, no exercise mentioned or aparrently needed. Take Betaseron every other day and don't concern yourself or do anything else and you will be just like you are now when you are 90. See you in 4-6 weeks, not what I or probably anyone wants to hear. I felt like I was on a conveyer-belt with a number stuck on my head.
Overall, even with all the doctor woes, I was pretty upbeat and had no doom and gloom thoughts. Swanking away and had my next neurologist appointment the next day with Dr. Greene-Chandos at Forsythe Neurology in Winston Salem NC. I trust things will go better this trip.
Info links for those interested:
Dr Qutab: http://www.spadocs.com/
Atlas: http://www.atlasorthogonality.com/
next I find my neuro...
My next step was to see neurologists. I was lucky enough to get in qiuckly to 2 of the top MS specialists in my area. The first was Dr. Jeffery the MS specialist at Wake Forest Baptist on September 22nd. I was really looking forward to getting things to the neurologist and making a plan for the days ahead. Using diet, exercise, and if need be down the road medication. Well to keep this part short the meeting went like this. 10 minutes long, the diagnosis came off the orignal test WITHOUT actually viewing the MRI, no ruling out Lyme, no further tests, diet has nothing to do with MS you could eat McDonalds for the rest of your life, no more atlas orthogonist adjustments, no exercise mentioned or aparrently needed. Take Betaseron every other day and don't concern yourself or do anything else and you will be just like you are now when you are 90. See you in 4-6 weeks, not what I or probably anyone wants to hear. I felt like I was on a conveyer-belt with a number stuck on my head.
Overall, even with all the doctor woes, I was pretty upbeat and had no doom and gloom thoughts. Swanking away and had my next neurologist appointment the next day with Dr. Greene-Chandos at Forsythe Neurology in Winston Salem NC. I trust things will go better this trip.
Info links for those interested:
Dr Qutab: http://www.spadocs.com/
Atlas: http://www.atlasorthogonality.com/
next I find my neuro...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
PART II
...
Next up was a consultation with my family doctor who basically agreed I needed to have the test and to move ahead as fast as I can. The test were all on September 2nd. Blood test showed everything in good health, Ultrasound all good, MRI...well, not quite as good. Several lesions (no exact number was given to me) were found ranging in size and location. Then the eye, optic neuritis.
As soon as my results were given and everything read I was immediately requested by all to have a 3 day treatment of Solu-Medrol at the local hospital (10th-13th). Not one doctor told me what to expect of the drug or the side affects. The hospital visit was long, long and long. IV every 12 hours, 6 treatments in total. The worse part of the entire process started the day I left. The side effects and what I will call withdrawal of the drug. The next 7 days I was a sick as a dog, I couldn't sleep, dizzy, hot, IRRITABLE, sore, shooting pains in my joints etc. It seemed all the side effects you can get, I had.
On September 16th I talked with Dr. Abbas Qutab of Élan Vítal Medical Center and Spa. I have used Dr. Qutab for dieting and nutritional needs for years prior to this and I would recommend him to anyone for anything if you like to look at the alternative side of medicine too. Qutab wants to wait on a strict diet until he gets some additional blood tests and the neurology reports but I need to go on the swank today. Main note was to follow up on the need to rule out lime disease, why haven't they?
I ordered the MS Diet book and got on the diet the day I received it.
next my recovery and the introduction of Neurology Specialists.
Next up was a consultation with my family doctor who basically agreed I needed to have the test and to move ahead as fast as I can. The test were all on September 2nd. Blood test showed everything in good health, Ultrasound all good, MRI...well, not quite as good. Several lesions (no exact number was given to me) were found ranging in size and location. Then the eye, optic neuritis.
As soon as my results were given and everything read I was immediately requested by all to have a 3 day treatment of Solu-Medrol at the local hospital (10th-13th). Not one doctor told me what to expect of the drug or the side affects. The hospital visit was long, long and long. IV every 12 hours, 6 treatments in total. The worse part of the entire process started the day I left. The side effects and what I will call withdrawal of the drug. The next 7 days I was a sick as a dog, I couldn't sleep, dizzy, hot, IRRITABLE, sore, shooting pains in my joints etc. It seemed all the side effects you can get, I had.
On September 16th I talked with Dr. Abbas Qutab of Élan Vítal Medical Center and Spa. I have used Dr. Qutab for dieting and nutritional needs for years prior to this and I would recommend him to anyone for anything if you like to look at the alternative side of medicine too. Qutab wants to wait on a strict diet until he gets some additional blood tests and the neurology reports but I need to go on the swank today. Main note was to follow up on the need to rule out lime disease, why haven't they?
I ordered the MS Diet book and got on the diet the day I received it.
next my recovery and the introduction of Neurology Specialists.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Beginning!
Here is the beginning of my story. My blog will be updated not only with my story but resources and news to help everyone and anyone involved with MS.
I have always been active and in good health until August 30th 2008. I awoke that day to blurry left eye. It seemed liked I may have scratched it or had a film over a section of my eye. After a few days of flushing my eye out and trying to make myself more comfortable I decided it best to go to an opthamologist.
After the normal series of eye tests I was eager and leery to hear what was wrong with my eye. During the entire test the doctor said nothing. Upon completion he sat and wrote out his notes for what seemed like forever never saying a word. After I prodded him for some type of information this is what he said. "I can find nothing wrong structurally with your eye you have MS". Needless to say any type of "bedside manner" was out the window. Obviously I was extremely shocked, horrified, scared and all that comes with a statement like that from a practicing professional. After I gathered myself it was off to make arrangements for an MRI (make sure you have it done WITH contrast dye), Ultrasound (carotid artery) and blood tests.
After that one of my best friends needed to be told of the news (he drove me to my appointment). Once I was done talking with him the really hard emotional call went to my wife. How the hell can a doctor tell a patient he had MS WITHOUT ANY TEST? I was full of emotions..... Lucky for me I have a spectacular wife and she has helped me through the rest of this story day by day.
next up...the doctors, medications, and ...diet?
I have always been active and in good health until August 30th 2008. I awoke that day to blurry left eye. It seemed liked I may have scratched it or had a film over a section of my eye. After a few days of flushing my eye out and trying to make myself more comfortable I decided it best to go to an opthamologist.
After the normal series of eye tests I was eager and leery to hear what was wrong with my eye. During the entire test the doctor said nothing. Upon completion he sat and wrote out his notes for what seemed like forever never saying a word. After I prodded him for some type of information this is what he said. "I can find nothing wrong structurally with your eye you have MS". Needless to say any type of "bedside manner" was out the window. Obviously I was extremely shocked, horrified, scared and all that comes with a statement like that from a practicing professional. After I gathered myself it was off to make arrangements for an MRI (make sure you have it done WITH contrast dye), Ultrasound (carotid artery) and blood tests.
After that one of my best friends needed to be told of the news (he drove me to my appointment). Once I was done talking with him the really hard emotional call went to my wife. How the hell can a doctor tell a patient he had MS WITHOUT ANY TEST? I was full of emotions..... Lucky for me I have a spectacular wife and she has helped me through the rest of this story day by day.
next up...the doctors, medications, and ...diet?
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