I went to the neurologist today for an EMG (electromyography) and NCS (nerve conduction study). The purpose of these procedures was to test for, and document, neuropathy (that I wrote about previously). The nurse conducted the NCS first. They stick various sensors on to you and zap you in places with electricity to measure how… Read More
I wrote previously about my musical diagnoses and the toll that took on my emotional health and ability to accept a diagnosis. To sum it up briefly, I went from a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) for 2 years to a diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrom with possible RA and Lupus overlap for the last 6-7… Read More
I’m pretty sure everyone has a strange hair some place on them that grows longer than it should – at least I’d like to think everyone does because I don’t want to be the only weirdo out there! Mine is on my right wrist. It’s right in the middle of that round bone that sticks… Read More
As I’ve stated many times already, I’m a mess. I have mental blocks that cause me to do or not do things that I know, intellectually, are silly. Yet it doesn’t stop them from affecting my behaviors. One of these mental blocks is seeking a second opinion. Here’s an example of a time that a… Read More
I began noticing symptoms in early 2008. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in March 2011. That’s three years of wondering “what is wrong with me?” That’s hard on a person. You doubt yourself – are you really feeling these things or is it some kind of personal flaw? Are you really fatigued or are… Read More
My last post talked about the pre-diagnosis years – 2008 to 2011. That’s when I was having symptoms but hadn’t yet been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It was March 2011 when my doctor called and told me that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Friday before that call was when the nurse had informed me… Read More
It’s been a very long, and meandering, path to diagnosis…and it still may not be done. Although I have one firm diagnosis (Sjogren’s syndrome – which I talked about here), we’re not sure yet if that’s the only autoimmune disease I have or if there are others overlapping. This first “path to diagnosis” post will… Read More
Each time I go a doctor, even if it is unrelated to the conditions that are causing me pain, I’m asked “do you have any pain today?” I often chuckle at this question. They’re well-meaning, I know, and I’m not laughing at the nurse. My chuckle is more of a shaking-my-head-in-resignation reflex. Because I’m always in… Read More