Snap, Crackle, Pop! OUCH!!!

Diagnosis journey continued (we're almost there)
●December 10th I went to Palmetto Imaging for my MRI with and without contrast, they also took my chest X-Rays
My fingers lost feeling during the MRI, the tech asked me if that happens often and I thought "Uh oh".
My body is a tingling factory but the aches move around from limb to limb. The headaches are now random and a lot more seldom but the incontinence is crazy! Constipation set in as well with the wonderful month of December! Considering I eat veggies, juice and haven't touched a land animal in 8 years you can imagine my reaction. 
●Oh I forgot to mention back around the first weekend into December I slept for about 10 hrs. I am a TRUE insomniac, I have been for years and the MS made it worse so I was confused by all of this. The crazy part is I still felt exhausted afterwards. This continued for about two weeks, I would wake up during these long bouts of sleep but I would feel exhausted no matter how long I slept. 
I also forgot to mention my Vitamin D levels dropped AGAIN! I was still taking the 500 IU but it dropped to 16.9 so he upped it to 5000 IU per day. Watch that Vitamin D ladies and gentlemen!
●12/13 I'm reading on my bed and what felt like a bolt of electricity shocked my left hand! I said some words I won't repeat here but just know it would take a load of soap to wash my mouth out. That sh*t hurt SO BAD! Like how does your body electrocute itself? WTH yo?! It happened again a few minutes later and I was looking like Pookie in New Jack City (Please search Google for Pookie in New Jack City for your reference).
●12/14 I received a call asking if I could stop by for my test results. I knew something was up because I gave them permission to give me my results over the phone so I figured MS or Sarcoidosis. 
I went in to speak with the doctor who said BROWN people like me typically don't get MS only to be told the results of my scan are consistent with MS. I wish this were the end but it isn't. He said I had optic neuritis in my right eye, they could see a lot of fluid around my eye which made sense because I could feel it. He said he was sending me to ANOTHER ophthalmologist neurologist to treat my eye with IV steroids for most likely three days. -Sigh-
●12/26 I went to see the doctor who was SUPPOSED to treat my eye, he informs me he feels it has shown slight improvement since my last exam and has decided NOT to treat my eye but to allow it to heal on its own. "Say what?!" Now I'm thinking I should punch him in his right eye and we can both be left eye together...
He proceeds to tell me he doesn't know anything about my case, flips through my chart, ask me a couple of questions and finally says, "I think your immune system is attacking itself, I would rule out lupus or sarcoidosis but I think maybe transverse myelitis should be considered". I grabbed my coat and thought to myself, YOU sir can keep your transverse myelitis, I will keep my MS because - A. I didn't ASK you and B. That can be worse, oh and did I mention I didn't ask you. Now I'm back going to my PCP AGAIN because I need yet another doctor! SMH Besides, I'm thinking... they wouldn't give me Lyme Disease when I picked it I'll be damned if he gives me something that could be worse! I'll take my MS and keep it moving. 
●12/27 It's my birthday, I'm happy but having mixed emotions when suddenly my hands become HOT! I look down and they are literally a different color. Yes family this is when I notice the erythromelalgia. I'm like a damn super hero or something. If only I could give people common sense whenever my hands or feet change colors. Or sanity!  I'll post more about erythromelalgia soon.
●1/6 I go to see my "stand in" PCP and he has NO clue I've had an MRI, X-Ray's or blood test. This man is talking about the CAT Scan I had back in Nov. he also proceeds to tell me I showed activity on a lupus test. HUH?! So like when were you going to tell me this? It's JANUARY!
When I finally get a word in to tell him about the test results he says, "Well that's consistent with MS". NO SH*T Sherlock!
A new neurologist and a second opinion.
This blog makes my photos look much lighter, my hand is a very deep, dark red and it is swollen.

My MRI Report

"My Kick Box! Do NOT pick me up!"

December continued...
●12/6 I arrive at the lab to take another Systemic Lupus test and various other test. I'm telling the techs in there I need everything to come back clean because I'm too young and cute to have anything serious... I SAID, I'm too young and cute... 
I inform them AGAIN my birthday is coming up soon so I need them to get it right.
As I'm leaving I see a guy wearing a Superman T-Shirt pushing a walker while kicking a medication box through the parking lot. I quickly tell him to let me get it for him because I know he's probably tired of kicking the box and I pick it up. WEEEEELLLLL, he shot me a look that could kill about 10 people at once and I said, "Or maybe I shouldn't get that for you" as I place the box back down on the ground. He gives me a once over then a short smile and says, "Pick up the box and read it". I'm totally lost until I see in big letters written on the top of the box as I am bending down, "MY KICK BOX!". Well now I'm completely embarrassed and I put the box back down apologizing the entire time. He then instructs me to pick the box up and read the other side of it.
It reads, "DO NOT PICK ME UP!". --->>Insert my dumb face here<<---
I of course apologize again when he interrupts me to tell me he has Multiple Sclerosis and he uses the box to exercise the muscles in his legs because he is doing all he can not to lose all of his mobility. I explained I was just told I might have MS and after a few exchanges he said if I do have MS he wanted to share with me the following -
A. You have a great sense of humor and you're positive, don't lose that.
B. You will have days that aren't so great but don't let anyone make you feel like your life is over.
C. Move whenever you feel like you can, it's very important. Rest when you need to rest.
D. You have a nice smile, keep smiling.
I looked at that man (wanting to cry) and I said, "You know what? You REALLY ARE SUPERMAN! Thank you so much for talking to me!". I knew then there was PURPOSE in our interaction. I was being prepared.
We say our good-byes, as I'm walking away I hear a couple behind me speak to him and then the female says, "Let me get that for you!". I just looked back and chuckled a little bit. I wondered how many times a day that happens.
To be continued....

The creation of "MS BROWN"

December Continued...
Now I will probably stop using so many date spans because it requires pulling out papers and my iPhone but I think you have the idea now.
●12/3 I went to the eye clinic and was seen by an ophthalmologist neurologist who examined my right eye but was unable to be given a field test. I was given no new info and was asked to return again on 12/4 for a field test. An example of a field test is when one eye is covered, while the other eye is fixated on an specific object while the doctor sits in front of you. The doctor will then ask you to describe what you see on the sides of your periphery field of vision.
●12/4 I returned and saw a different ophthalmologist neurologist who also examined me, I was given a field test but I was given no additional information as to what was going on and I was asked to return again on 12/6 for additional testing
●12/6 I returned to the eye clinic, I was given another field test, a color test, etc.
This time I had two physicians! One of the physicians (he sounds just like me brother which kind of tickled me) pulled up a chair and I could tell he was THE ONE who knew his "stuff". He told me he had been asked to take a look at my file and upon looking at it and the test he believed I had "optic neuritis" in my right eye.
What is optic neuritis? In my case - Inflammation of the optic nerve — or lesions (damaged areas) along the nerve pathways that control eye movements and visual coordination. Optic neuritis may result in blurring or graying of vision, or blindness in one eye. A scotoma or dark spot may occur in the center of the visual field.
He then explained he would like to send me for more testing because he felt the optic neuritis was caused by a disease. He asked me if I would like to know which diseases he suspected and I said yes.
He said, "Well, I suspect your optic neuritis might be caused by Multiple Sclerosis but it could be Systemic Lupus or Sarcoidosis. I'm going to order an MRI, blood test and chest X-rays". I said, "Okay but can I have Lyme Disease as a choice instead?" (I was thinking lesser of three evils, maybe?). His response was if I lived in the woods of NC he would go for that but NO, he did not believe I had Lyme Disease. He said, "Well, there's a small chance this is MS because people who are BROWN like you typically don't get MS but we will do an MRI to rule it out". In that moment I was BLOWN AWAY! BROWN LIKE ME?! I'm BROWN so it's probably not MS? Really? I wish I had all of the articles I've read on hand to give him since that day -http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260150.php
So me and my BROWN self left to go to the lab back at my PCP's office to get tested for LUPUS once again. My MRI and chest X-Ray were scheduled for 12/10. I just wanted to know what I was up against so I could have a fair fight!
To be continued...

Photo courtesy of: Umm, some site in my Google search (sorry)

Nov. Continued... The floor is wet! Wait, no it isn't! Yes it is! No it isn't! SMH

November 24th - Dec 2nd

●Nov. 24th and 25th - I woke up both days feeling like a truck had run me over about 50 times! I felt kind of like I was coming down with the flu again actually.
I called my PCP on the 25th only to find out she had left the practice with no forwarding info (what in THEE hell?)! They told me I could be seen by another physician there so I was scheduled to see the owner of the practice on 11/27.
●**News of the weird** I keep thinking the carpet is wet! I'm walking through the house and I think I've stepped on a wet spot, I go back to check it and it's DRY! This had happened a few times before but now I'm paying attention because it's becoming a habit. Why does the floor feel wet when it's dry? (I'll explain this in another post)
●11/26 - I contacted the vision center asking for my retina photos and my report, I also placed a complaint about the service (another story). I was asked by the manager of the store to come in and allow the optometrist to take a look at my eyes again free of charge, I agree.
**I forgot to mention by this time I realized on my own it is a floater blocking the entire field of vision in my right eye. Floaters are not uncommon in people who are nearsighted but they shouldn't be painful and look like cobwebs, black spots or lace veils that totally block your view.
At this time I have pain radiating from my left shoulder down to my left thumb. I also experienced intense tingling through my arms and legs (this tingling branches out to my fingertips and toes). My legs would suddenly stiffen and ache.
●11/27 - Before my appointment with the PCP I return to the vision center only to see the second optometrist I saw previously. He examines me again and is still stumped. He decides we should call a specialist. We call an eye clinic, I speak with two ophthalmologist who also tell me they think it's a sinus infection. *Insert WTH face here* I leave irritated and head over to see the PCP.
I arrive at the PCP's office and he does everything but knocks me unconscious with that mallet looking thing but we both agree, this is NOT a sinus infection! He decides I should have blood test to rule out the usual venereal/viral infections and to check for diseases such as Systemic Lupus. He also orders a CAT Scan to rule out an aneurysm which gave me a quick scare because one of my cousin's had to have a tumor removed from her brain.
I asked him to treat me for a sinus infection just for safety precautions and left.
●My left arm still hurts, I can barely move middle finger without pain and stiffness
●11/28 - Who has to go? Oh I do! Sudden urges to use the bathroom increase without warning, you better be close to the bathroom or prepare to let it "rain"
●My feet are ALWAYS cold, ALWAYS
12/2 I received a call telling me my Vitamin D was low and I need to take 500 IU per day. I was asked to come in and was set up with an appointment to see a neurologist ophthalmologist
I took all of the "Avelox" 400 MG (antibiotic) and "crap" "Norel AD", none of it worked. My eye still felt like someone was stabbing me in it all day and my limbs felt like they were having contractions while someone strummed against my nerves like guitar strings.
The Vitamin D deficiency is major in this journey that's why I included my greasy (sorry about that) lab report. I will discuss that part on this blog as well.
To be continued...

My "GLAUC-Y" (glaucoma) eyes!!!

The start of my 5 month journey to a clear diagnosis... 
Around the end of October 2013 I experienced a really nasty sinus infection, it took me about three weeks to shake it. I experienced hair and weight loss during this time period but the hair loss had happened before only I thought it was due to medication. My insomnia increased from the usual 5 or 6 hrs of sleep to about 4 1/2 hrs per night. Moving forward - November is when things began to kind of spiral out of control, I will attempt to shorten these post by using date spans so it isn't too confusing. If you have questions just ask me.
My symptoms -
Nov 12th - 19th
●I suffered from frequent Headaches (Odd because I am a migraine sufferer and take a daily migraine medicine)
●I developed a bad unexplained itch back in 2012 but it increased - I'd itch and scratch like crazy at odd times, ESPECIALLY right before bed. It became worse around this time, typically only my legs (mostly my lower legs and inner thighs), arms or buttocks would itch but now even my scalp itched *Station break* Can you imagine your buttocks itching like crazy at like 2 AM and you can't sleep? Wait, can you imagine telling someone the reason you're up is because you're scratching your... Uhh, yeah...
●Dry, red, eyes with pain (started in both eyes), I thought I was suffering from eye strain
● (The crazy sh*t) I started seeing bugs (gnats I thought) that weren't actually there. No, I'm NOT kidding, objects looked like they were moving when they weren't. Phew!
●I lost my balance and fell down at a fundraiser unexpectedly on the 16th
●My left eye felt better by the 19th but the right eye felt worse, I couldn't
look up, down, left or right without pain. It hurt to bend down then stand up. it hurt to to touch it (stabbing pain)
●Chronic runny nose
●More weird sh*t ! - I felt heat on my skin when there was nothing there, literally like hot water on me or a heated device against my skin
●I felt what I thought were spider webs or lint on my face when nothing was there
● I set up an eye exam because I had already tested suspect for glaucoma and thought that might be the culprit

Nov 20th - Nov 23rd
●I realize the vision in my right eye is worsening rapidly
●Nov 21st - Eye exam
My pressure reading isn't bad and my CD is 0.6 meaning I'm pre-glaucoma. This still doesn't explain the vision loss
●Nov 23rd - I return to the vision center for retinal photos and a follow up because I can no longer see out of my right eye
I see a different optometrist this visit and he says basically the same thing as the first even with the retinal photos, he could only add that the nerves in my right eye showed slight damage. He thought maybe I had a sinus infection but basically he had NO clue!

To be continued...

Who Am I? :)

I just realized I haven't introduced myself in case someone who doesn't know me comes along! 
Hello, I'm Nico or Nicky to some. Some people are probably wondering about the name of the blog, "MS Brown", it will all make sense as I move along in my journey. 
I have Multiple Sclerosis, Raynaud's Phenomenom (we'll get to that. LOL!) and a few other things. SMH
I displayed symptoms prior to my official diagnosis but I was told they were due to other reasons. I didn't argue because the physicians were able to tie them into either my very active workout regime, my osteoarthritis, my chronic migraines or my asthma.
I am writing about my journey because it's important to me to share my experience so hopefully someone else can be helped but sooner. We have to be VERY proactive about our health, we know our bodies better than anyone else and we can't rely on physicians to do it all for us. A friend recently reminded me of a good point, a person can read about someone else's experience and take on their symptoms... I implore you to make a symptoms list PRIOR to reading all of my post if you are in the diagnosis phase or suspect you have an immune-mediated or auto-immune disease. The mind can be tricky and sometimes we adopt from others because we are already in a space where we feel lost and desperately seeking answers. Those who are educated about MS (or any auto-immune disease and by the way MS is considered by some experts as an immune-mediated disease rather than an auto-immune disease) I hope will share with compassion. Again, some of us are new to this.  I don't mind post about auto-immune diseases in here but please understand this space was created for the MS journey so I ask those posting keep this in mind. I open this with love and I hope we can all learn and grow from this. Everyone is welcome! Thank you for reading this! I'll begin somewhere in my journey on my next post.

***Most of all, I want to kick MS ASS! 

Let's tackle the first question I get from some people. What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The exact antigen — or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack — remains unknown, which is why MS is considered by many experts to be "immune-mediated" rather than "autoimmune."

Within the CNS, the immune system attacks myelin — the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers — as well as the nerve fibers themselves.
The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name.
When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing a wide variety of symptoms.
The disease is thought to be triggered in a genetically susceptible individual by a combination of one or more environmental factors.
People with MS typically experience one of four disease courses, which can be mild, moderate or severe.

Info from - National MS Society

The photo shows the multisystem effects of MS.
Photo - Biology Forum