It's been a few weeks since my last post. Life has been busy and crazy and there is never a dull moment around here. In the midst of my day to day comings and goings, I have been having some strange health issues that have made life tougher than it should be.
It started back in April. I was outside putting kids in cars at school, when I felt this strange tingling and burning in my legs. My smaller toes felt numb. It was just odd and after going inside and cooling off, it went away. But then as weeks passed, this same feeling came and went. At one point in June, it started in my legs, but then my face felt numb and tingling, followed by a very strange and uncomfortable feeling of tingling and burning circling my entire body, up and down. After about an hour or so, it passed. It didn't return for a while, but I began noticing numbness in my toes and hands.
Summer went on and I would notice occasional numbness or tingling, mainly in my right foot or right arm, but kept dismissing it. By mid August, these symptoms had become more and more frequent and were lasting longer and longer. I noticed I was feeling very tired a lot of the time and that it got worse when I was hot. At the beginning of September, I went to my primary doctor for a yearly physical I was overdue for - she advised me to see a neurologist.
If you've ever tried to get an appointment with a specialist like this, you know what it is like. Basically, you wait, and ,and wait some more, for weeks to be able to see this doctor, all while the symptoms are getting worse with each passing day. I got an appointment, but it wasn't for 7 weeks.
In the meantime, I started calling around trying to find any neurologist that could see me sooner. To my surprise, when I called the Baylor clinic in the med center, they had a doc that could see me. After 2 different appointments that lasted nearly an hour each (she was looking up my symptoms and medications on the computer as I was sitting there - RED FLAG!), blood work that was all normal, and $10 in parking fees, this young doc told me she did not feel it was necessary to do any tests and that this was all just my "perspective." Basically, she was telling me that it's just anxiety, so she gave me five different prescriptions to "treat my symptoms" rather than looking further to find the issue.
THIS IS NOT OK PEOPLE! I left her office in tears of frustration knowing that this is not anxiety and is not my "perspective" as she said. My instincts are screaming otherwise! Luckily, I had a regular follow up appointment with my psychiatrist the following day. After bringing her up to speed, she reassured me that this was NOT anxiety and I needed to pursue it with a different neurologist.
Days continued to pass, and the tingling, prickly feeling continued to get worse. My arms began feeling weak and I noticed I am forgetting little things more and more frequently. While waiting to see another doc, my legs have moments of feeling weak, like they may give out. My balance is off at times. I notice I am dropping things often. And after a few nights of literally feeling like my entire body was under attack with the burning and prickly feeling, I called begging to see the doc sooner. They had no cancellations, and they had me on the waiting list..... Ughhh...
Yesterday, after being unable to sleep with the burning and prickling that was relentless for two consecutive nights, I called yet another doc that a friend told me about. I begged and pleaded with the lady on the phone. She asked me to hold for a moment and came back with the best news - they could see me tomorrow at afternoon. Praise Jesus!
So today, FINALLY, after seeing Dr. Charles Popeney, I feel like I am on the right path to figuring this out. He has ordered MRI of my brain and spine that will happen next week and I follow up with him in two weeks. He gave me samples of a medication to try for my symptoms in the meantime and was very thorough in explaining what it was for and how to take it. While the symptoms I have are unbearable at times, I feel some relief knowing I am headed in the right direction.
These symptoms sound crazy and believe me when I tell you, it is awful! Let me attempt to describe it for you - Have you ever been swimming and got water up your nose? You know that burning feeling you get when that happens? That's the best way I know how to explain what some of this feels like. That burning is happening all around the top and back of my head. It also comes and goes in my arms and legs as well. Have you ever had your foot or hand fall asleep? You know that weird tingling, prickly feeling you get as it tries to wake up? That's basically what I am feeling all over now all the time. The severity of it fluctuates - sometimes it's not so bad and other times, waves of it so intense I was to cry come on for a bit and then pass. It is so uncomfortable. And the fatigue, well, its unlike any tired I have felt before. I AM EXHAUSTED ALL THE TIME! It doesn't matter if I get plenty of sleep or not, I am so tired. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I don't know why I have been dealt this issue, but I hold onto God's promises and I feel a peace about it that I cannot explain.
So as I continue on this journey, I know and hold on to the truth that God answers prayers. I am holding onto this verse:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
I'm also holding to the words in this song:
Whatever the cause, whatever the outcome, I know He has this. HE makes me brave! Finding a doctor that knows what he is doing and has ordered the tests that are needed is a huge leap in the right direction. I will be strong and courageous as He has commanded. And any prayers you, dear readers, want to lift up, are greatly appreciated as well. I will send updates as I get them. But for now, I'm going to rest.
Nighty-night! Until next time....
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