Hi,
richrd gave you a really good reply. What
you are saying doesn't sound like ms in
aggregate as much as it does the
nonpyschiatric neurological disorder of
chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs).
I'm going to seperate out the neurological
issues from the psychological ones as best
I can.
Based on your post, you have physical
symptoms in a specific pattern that
suggests to me that you should see a cfs
specialist or at least a doctor who knows
how to diagnose this biological disorder
and won't waste your time with "it's all
in your head." actually it is, but that is
not usually what they mean. Lol.
A competent diagnostician will run a
battery of blood tests, take a thorough
medical history and ask you specific
questions as to your symptoms and their
very specific pattern. Be frank.
Doctors, no matter what their specialty
are not mind readers.
It would be tragic to overlook other
diseases such as lupus and ms for which
there is no known cure or a dietary
deficiency - which does. Many disorders
have common symptoms - diagnosis is a
matter of elimination and confirmation of
a unique pattern.
There is no cure nor treatment for
nonpsychiatric biological cfs, but it can
be managed for a better quality of life.
Even when medical news is not what we want
to hear, there is an emotional calmness
that comes with being accurately
diagnosed. At least then you know what
you are up against. May I recommend the
following links if you would like more
biological diagnostic information:
http://www.Cfids-cab.Org
/mesa/ccpc.Html
this link will take you to a rather
technical explaination of cfs symptoms but
if you skip the top portion and go
straight to the listing of primary
symptoms you may recognize your pattern of
symptoms as well as other symptoms that
don't seem relevant by themselves.
Www.Anapsid.Org/cnd/files/
bernechecklist.Pdf
this link will download a symptoms
checklist.
(a free pdf reader download is available
at:
http://www.Adobe
.Com/products/acrobat/main.Html the
free download you want is located in the
right hand corner.)
i personally have no idea whether such
entities as "neurological disorders" even
recognize an "emotional connection," but
in practical terms, every illness, and
every human life for that matter, has
emotional connections. Its normal.
Http://www.Livingwithillness.C
om/
katrina berne phd is a clinical
psychologist who puts chronic illness and
specifically the neurological disorder,
cfs, in easy to understand terms without
blaming the patient. She finds ways to
put chaotic feelings and symptoms into
words that leave you wondering how she
knows you.
All of this is can be overwhelming. A
"good" family counselor can help you (and
your family) cope. If insurance is an
issue, there are places that have a
sliding scale of payment. Good and
expensive are not the same thing.
I define "good" as someone with whom you
are comfortable with, someone you feel
earns your trust, someone who can help you
find ways of coping and adjusting. The
method matters little as long as they are
ethical and caring.
You may not click with the first counselor
you try. Neither therapists or patients
come from cookie cutters. It is not rude
to thank them politely and seek another
therapist. And it won't hurt their
feelings because this is about your
healing process not theirs.
The very best of luck to you. You sound
like a thoughtful, intelligent young
person. These are personal qualities that
will make you strong and carry you through
no matter what the diagnosis is.
Regards,
kate
