Today's neurologist visit.

[shrox]

I had an appointment with a neurologist for the first time in 5 years today. My symptoms have been unusually steady, more of a plateau than a progression. Still debilitating at times, other times I can do pretty much as I wish.

So, what came of my visit? Well, I might not have Parkinson's, but it could be anything from MS to ALS to Lyme Disease to Jazz Hands. It's definitely real.

I hope it's not Jazz Hands.

There could be a chance it's related to my unique genetic profile, almost all my genes are recessive, it's a wonder I was even viable, let alone fairly healthy and normal looking. I'll be going to Stanford for an overnight stay and work up. I went to UCSF for tests last time, nothing conclusive then either.

I hope it turns out I am just X-Men.

 

[goldlizard]

I hope everything goes well for you. Good luck!!!

 

[shrox]

I am trying to have a humorous outlook on it all.

 

[goldlizard]

A positive outlook and a sense of humor can be better than the drugs. We're all here for you.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

I hope it's not Jazz Hands.

I hope it's not The Jiggy Leg.

(Trying to take the humorous route with that one.)

Good luck with everything.

 

[JAL3]

I am trying to have a humorous outlook on it all.

Having been under the care of neurologists for far longer than any human being should have to tolerate, I can state categorically that you have hit upon the most effective strategy for survival.

Peace and grace be with you!

 

[Scotty Dog]

I feel for ya.
Ive seen your post about this many times.
For whatever reason Ill chime in tonight.
10-12 years ago I was told I have idiopathic neuropathy.
The issues where in me feet and hands.
Days I would feel like Im walking on tennis balls,itching to beat the band and then turns to a fire hot burn.Just like someone with sugar.
When it first started in came on hard and fast.
I had to stay home some days cuz it hurt to much to walk.
I had raw skin on the top of my hands from scratching them at night in my sleep.
CRAZY SH!T!!!! No ryme or reason they tell me.
After a battrey of test including ELECTRIC SHOCKS!!!!!!!! thru the body...(who the hell dreamed that test up?)
they put me on tripiline(?) and I walked around like a zombie for a month before I said enough of that crap.
Short of long..today its not so bad, why? no idea.I do get flare ups and I have different things that happen these days. I get weird muscel spasms at times in the stranges places. Not to the point of debilitating, but it makes for a long day.
I just had an ultrasound done on me belly..I been getting tightness,slight pains and spasm on the left side..kind of feels (symptoms)like I have a hernia. They found nothing wrong.
And the thing is..somedays it doesnt even exist and others Im feeling it.
Anywhoo- nothing like your going thru,but I get your drift and do feel for ya.

PS A guy at work went years going thru this and it turned out to be Lyme.
Said he would be driving and just have to pull over cuz he could not process all the mental tasks.
he truly thought he was losing his mind.
And he had and still has pysical issues.

 

[Eric1]

You are in my prayers

 

[shrox]

...After a battrey of test including ELECTRIC SHOCKS!!!!!!!! thru the body...(who the hell dreamed that test up?)...

I had that, it was like that scene in The Right Stuff where Shepard was being subjected to that test with the big electrode stabbed into the hand, it was same thing for me! They stick it in the webbing between the thumb and index finger.

 

[aerostadt]

I hope and pray things go well for you, Shrox.

BTW now that you mention it, I thought about 20 years ago that I was developing carpal tunnel syndrome. My family doctor ordered some electric shock measurement/tests in my hand. The tests were very uncomfortable. After getting the report back my doctor said that I was just a borderline case. He asked if I was bending my wrist strongly while sleeping or taking a nap. I told him that I was. He told me to stop doing that. I stopped bending my wrist while taking a nap or sleeping and sure enough the symptoms went away.

 

[WillMarchant]

Dang, good luck with that, Dude!


Just so I know: are we praying for wolverine claws or do you want some other super thing? I would not recommend Magneto. He must go through credit cards like mad...

 

[shrox]

Dang, good luck with that, Dude!


Just so I know: are we praying for wolverine claws or do you want some other super thing? I would not recommend Magneto. He must go through credit cards like mad...

How about levitation and some kind of sonic reverberation thing?

 

[WillMarchant]

How about levitation and some kind of sonic reverberation thing?

Excellent choices, Sir!

 

[BLKKROW]

I can sympathize a little bit with you, I have had benign essential tremors since birth. My hands always shake, its not noticeable unless you look for it.

Mine gets really bad when I am nervous, sometimes I cannot eat in front of others because the food rolls off my fork.

 

[shrox]

I can sympathize a little bit with you, I have had benign essential tremors since birth. My hands always shake, its not noticeable unless you look for it.

Mine gets really bad when I am nervous, sometimes I cannot eat in front of others because the food rolls off my fork.

I have found that actually flinging the fork across the table is helpful in helping others hone their reflexes.

 

[Peartree]

But it would be unwise to fling a fork at Magneto, should you meet him whilst levitating.

 

[ThirstyBarbarian]

How about levitation and some kind of sonic reverberation thing?

If you go with sonic reverberation, make sure it's directional.

 

[LW Bercini]

it could be anything from MS to ALS to Lyme Disease to Jazz Hands.

.

It is a story from my past, and not worth telling. But I was in a performance some years ago and we used jazz hands. Thankfully, all evidence of that performance have been destroyed...

But when you say this, are you making a joke, or is there really some kind of condition that is colloquially referred to as "jazz hands"?

 

[powderburner]

I hope everything works out for you, and you get some answers you can live with.

-Dave

 

[shrox]

It is a story from my past, and not worth telling. But I was in a performance some years ago and we used jazz hands. Thankfully, all evidence of that performance have been destroyed...

But when you say this, are you making a joke, or is there really some kind of condition that is colloquially referred to as "jazz hands"?

I hate jazz hands and mimes. A mime doing jazz hands is so wrong.

One day I'd like to fill that transparent box they are always trapped in with water or toxic gas.

 

[stickershock23]

All the best to you Shrox. My daughter was diagnosed with MS. so I feel for you.


if you go all x-men on us.. how about "ROCKET MAN" you know.. so cool jetpacks just pop out of your back and you can fly anywhere you want in the world in seconds!

 

[shrox]

All the best to you Shrox. My daughter was diagnosed with MS. so I feel for you.


if you go all x-men on us.. how about "ROCKET MAN" you know.. so cool jetpacks just pop out of your back and you can fly anywhere you want in the world in seconds!

Hmmm, do I still have to breathe air if I opted for that scenario?

 

[Sully]

is there really some kind of condition that is colloquially referred to as "jazz hands"?

Neurologist here. There are some tremors that at times can resemble "jazz hands," but I've never heard of any particular condition referred to that way, even in the clinic back office or at the bar with drunken neurologists.

Shrox, I hope you find someone who will work with you to clarify what's going on and also figure out ways to help, even if they never put a label on it. I see lots of people with uncertain diagnoses, and it's very frustrating, but one thing to remember is that it's better to have uncertainty than to be certain you have something dire. What I mean is that doctors are pretty good at ruling out lots of really bad things, and if you've had a proper workup and diagnosis is still unclear, at least you don't have some of the really bad stuff. Small consolation when you're suffering, but worth remembering. And you don't need to have a firm diagnosis to get symptomatic treatment, so you can feel and do better while still trying to figure things out.

Now, if you do wind up sprouting a jet pack, I'd like to see you in my office. If you develop full blown jazz hands (which, in severe cases includes the dread symptom "show tunes"), please stay far away from my clinic!

 

[shrox]

Neurologist here. There are some tremors that at times can resemble "jazz hands," but I've never heard of any particular condition referred to that way, even in the clinic back office or at the bar with drunken neurologists.

Shrox, I hope you find someone who will work with you to clarify what's going on and also figure out ways to help, even if they never put a label on it. I see lots of people with uncertain diagnoses, and it's very frustrating, but one thing to remember is that it's better to have uncertainty than to be certain you have something dire. What I mean is that doctors are pretty good at ruling out lots of really bad things, and if you've had a proper workup and diagnosis is still unclear, at least you don't have some of the really bad stuff. Small consolation when you're suffering, but worth remembering. And you don't need to have a firm diagnosis to get symptomatic treatment, so you can feel and do better while still trying to figure things out.

Now, if you do wind up sprouting a jet pack, I'd like to see you in my office. If you develop full blown jazz hands (which, in severe cases includes the dread symptom "show tunes"), please stay far away from my clinic!

I mean Liza Minnelli/Cabaret jazz hands. the worst possible kind.

 

[matthew]

I am trying to have a humorous outlook on it all.

If it's any consolation, I saw a doctor yesterday. He told me I'm paranoid. Well, he didn't actually say that, but I know he was thinking it.

 

[matthew]

:wink:

Good luck with the levitation.

 

[shrox]

:wink:

Good luck with the levitation.

I walk like William Riker now.

[video=youtube;sN04Bi8jveA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN04Bi8jveA[/video]

That crescendo gets repetitive though...

 

[RichardSATX]

We are praying for you! I had some major neurological problems for about 2 years. Mine were due to a head injury. I couldn't run my company, couldn't race, lost my flight status. It sucked. Luckily I'm married to someone board certified in neurology. It helped. Best of luck to you and it does help to both have a sense of humor, and listen to your docs.

 

[shrox]

We are praying for you! I had some major neurological problems for about 2 years. Mine were due to a head injury. I couldn't run my company, couldn't race, lost my flight status. It sucked. Luckily I'm married to someone board certified in neurology. It helped. Best of luck to you and it does help to both have a sense of humor, and listen to your docs.

If one has to be affected by something like this, The Riker Walk is the way to go.