Today I went to see a neurologist.  I intially went because I have had numbness and pain in my left leg.  I thought it was sciatia.  The doctor interviewed me and I told him I've been on anti depressants for over 10 years.  I told him about memory loss and how I forget things as I'm talking.  I also to him that my speech was getting slurred.  \n\nI have a hard time remembering everyday things.  Names of people,  appointments,  finding personal effects.  \n\nSeems like everyday I am looking for something I have misplaced or lost.  \n\nI'm scheduled for an emg and the doctor think my motor skills have been affected.  Please let me know if any of you have experienced any of these symptoms.  I'm worried because I'm 42 and cannot afford to stop working.  I am my only means of support.  I'm am feeling helpless.
208073
The numbness could very well be due to sciatica, but the memory loss and slurred speech intimate a more serious condition.  Forget the neurologist, talk to your family doctor about getting you a referral to a psychiatrist who should order immediate EEG/MRI of the brain.  Or, go directly to emergency.\nI wish you well!!!
63896
this happened to me, for 2 days i could not get up or i'd throw up. I felt fine the first morning jumped out of bed to make coffee and fell on my ass. It really sucked.\n\ni never went to the hospital cuz i was uninsured and rather die then debt. but im fine now. I did research this and it may of been a drop attack from an inner-ear deases called 'meniere's disease'\n\nhttp://oto.wustl.edu/men/  \n\nhope you feel better soon
593248
My feet are getting heavy, and I've lost feeling in my toes. What is that odd sensation in my stomach - like rocks weighing heavily?? My back is stiff, so I try to move. Man, my feet are heavy. I move my legs and it's as if someone  tied cement blocks to them. A creeping sensation moves up my legs, and I stop trying to move them. \nMy eyes hurt. My head feels stiff, as if my skin is crunchy. I try to call out, but my mouth doesn;t want to move - like I am wearing a clay mask and it has dried. What is happenieng to me? My fingers are stiffening, and I am now numb to the waist. I can't move my legs!!  I try to scream, but my vocal cords are too frozen. My nose is numb.  My breasts are starting to feel heavy as lead, and I can hardly hold up my head. The numbness creeps downward, and my fingers are like bananas as I try to type. IO amn makl[oing so manny typpos .. I cannnottr type wellllll,... I cannnt breeeaathe .. sdhfgsdajklllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
224766
Look, I am a fourteen year old kid and i have also had a pretty rough year, but let me tell you something, do not give up. This past year has been a struggle for me and my family, but once we found out the problems i was having, we were able to find the proper doctors and medication. I know that it seems tough right now, but you have to hang in there. Nothing is going to happen over night, but if you work hard anything is possible. Please trust me, if I could overcome my problems I am sure you can. As far as your job goes, you will have to make the choice whether or not to go back to school or live with what you have. Maybe it would be a good idea to go see a physiologist or psychiatrist to help work out your problems. Whatever you do, don't eat bad food just because you are depressed, or upset with something. Just say no to junk food. I also suggest that you spend more time with your son. Just remember that he will only be a baby once, so don't spoil that. No matter what always find time for you and your family. Bring your kid to the park or read books with him and always encourage him to do better. Never discourage him or ignore him, that will just make him feel bad, trust me I have a five year old brother. One day soon, sit down with your husband and discuss with him what you think the two of you should do in the future. I hope all of this helps and I wish you the best of luck.
273427
Dear ljmuller,\nYou've certainly brought your medical concerns to the right place! The Y!A community members are fully aware of and do appreciate the intimate conditions involving your prognosis.\nMost recognized doctors in the field of medicine would employ a holistic approach to your ailment. ljmuller, please begin your day with a well balanced breakfast to include an ample portion of fruits and grains. After your morning routines are finished, enjoy a brisk walk around the block. If you happen to meet any stray dogs along the way, it would be a good idea to antagonize the creatures in order to add some vigor to your workout.\nNow ljmuller, the remaining portions of your day should be filled with interesting activities and new studies to keep your mind active and in balance, complimentary to what you have done with the physical side of yourself.\nAfter loitering around at the public library all afternoon with a bunch of smelly hobos, you can appreciate a warm bath and time to be good to yourself. Begin to collect an archive of various music genres that you can resolve one day to enjoy after you get the rest of your chores done.\nljmuller, if after following my advice, simply take two aspirin and forget we ever had this little discussion.\nThank you, ljmuller. Have a great day!\n-Kobb
600204
Dear Cna62375,\nYou've certainly brought your mental health concerns to the right place! The Y!A community members are fully aware of and do appreciate the intimate conditions involving your prognosis. Most recognized doctors in the field of medicine would employ a holistic approach to your ailment.\n Cna62375, please begin your day with a well balanced breakfast to include an ample portion of fruits and grains. After your morning routines are finished, enjoy a brisk walk around the block. If you happen to meet any stray dogs along the way, it would be a good idea to antagonize the creatures in order to add some vigor to your workout.\nNow Cna62375, the remaining portions of your day should be filled with interesting activities and new studies to keep your mind active and in balance, complimentary to what you have done with the physical side of yourself.\nAfter loitering around at the public library all afternoon with a bunch of smelly hobos, you can appreciate a warm bath and time to be good to yourself. Begin to collect an archive of various music genres that you can resolve one day to enjoy after you get the rest of your chores done.\nCna62375, if after following my advice, simply take two aspirin and forget we ever had this little discussion.\nThank you, Cna62375. Have a great day!\nDr.Blake
222612
Don't panic..First,let me ask you,how often you experience those leaking of your memory.It's of vital impotrance.It could be related also with your mental stance,the level of stress,etc.If you passed through some very "tough" and harsh occasions they might be the cause of your symptoms.Anyway,dear go ahead and try to find a good neurologist and don't postpone your visit.Be patient and sooner or later everything will come into the proper places!
255345
I am a licensed mental health professional and while I certainly would never diagnose you online, I do think other writers are on the right track.  What you are describing really does correspond with symptoms of depression. The good news is that this is a common and very treatable illness.  While you don't want to go to the doctor, you need to remember that depression (or any type of mental illness) is nothing to be ashamed of.  If you were diabetic would you hesitate or be embarassed to seek treatment?  Heck I'm a professional and have experienced depression. I got the help I needed and moved on with my life.  There are so many new medications and other options you can speak with a professional about.  This is all about taking care of yourself and getting the most you can out of life.  I would recommend getting a referral for a practitioner who has some experience in treating depression.  If money is an issue, almost all communities have free or low cost resources. In the mean time, try to share what is going on with your boyfriend and other people you trust.  Let them be there for you.  If you want to talk please feel free to contact me.  My email is jazzy_59602@yahoo.com.
474456
Hello there,\n\nI'm sorry to hear about some of the things you've been going through in your daily life. But, I really feel I can give you some good advice because I've been through the very same things you're talking about.\n\nFirst, let me tell you, I'm just an average person who has struggled with the very same things you're going through. I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, but they don't always have the answers & sometimes they can make your problems worse by showing a lack of compassion when you come to them for help or by not treating your problems with the respect or concern that they deserve (even if they don't know how to help you). \n\nJust from the symptons you've described above, it sounds like you are suffering from depression & anxiety. I've stuggled with both for years, but now I have them both under control.\n\nI've been on medication, I've read several books & I have done extensive research on the web & out of all of this, the one thing that I found to be truly helpful (for me) is "cognitive therapy". This is a very effective treatment & several studies show that this alone has been known to be more effective than medication & counseling. \n\nCognitive therapy is simply changing the way you think. Sometimes we can have distorted thoughts, which characterize depression & anxiety, without even knowing it. Sometimes people like myself can have very negative thoughts but not realize that they're negative because we're so used to them. \n\nAnother words, those negative thoughts have probably always been there (even through childhood) but they're just now starting to take effect, which is what may be causing you're depression & anxiety. Don't get me wrong, if you do have negative or distorted thoughts, more than likely, it's not your fault. We usually develope these thoughts from the way other people have treated us or talked to us. \n\nThese thoughts effect our mood which can cause you to wake up in the morning & feel angry or sad, without knowing why & it can cause you to break out in tears, which may leave you feeling confused because you don't know why you're crying, other than the fact that you feel really sad or heartbroken. \n\nListen, I can go on & on, because there's so much to say about this treatment, but if you are interested in cognitive therapy or would a least like to try it, I would be willing to send you some of my tapes on cognitive therapy & you could keep them for yourself & try it. \n\nEven if it doesn't take your symptoms away completely, I promise it will help you in some way. It's worth a try, right? And also, I'm not trying to sell you anything. I'll even pay to have the tapes shipped to you, if you are interested in them.\n\nAnd, I understand that different things work for different people & I'm not putting medication down in the least, but it did not work for me & I tried several different medications before deciding to get off them completely, because I was unhappy with the results.\n\n If you would like to contact me personally, you can e-mail me at teri.bourland@yahoo.com.\n\nBlessings!! Teresa
76589
Hi. I have RP also. I am 35 years old and was diagnosed when I was 22. I had always been nearsighted and struggled with imperfect vision, so when I got the diagnosis - it did not really have an immediate impact on me. Now, however, I am really struggling in so many ways. Of course, there is the obvious - not being able to drive anymore - but there are many other things that have changed for me as well. I feel isolated both physically and emotionally from the rest of the world and I find that it takes so much more effort and determination to do just the normal things. I suffer socially in most situations because I bump into things and people, I trip over people's children - hurting them,  neglect to shake someones hand when it is held out for me (because I can't see it), and cannot often even follow the most mundane activities because visual cues usually guide most activities. I am exhausted from having to explainn all the time, and even though I don't want special attention - I worry that people see me as demanding it if I try to explain too much. As a result, I no longer feel like I am a part of the normal world and I often choose to remove myself from social situations. It is just exhausting, and most days, I don't have the strength to deal with it.\n\nAlso related to the issue of feeling isolated is the way people relate to you once they know you can't see much in front of your nose. I think that although most people are very well intentioned, they cannot help but be over solicitous. They start treating you differently - like something fragile, broken, or they just act afraid to say or do the wrong thing. Sometimes I get the impression that some people are uncomfortable just to even be near me. Maybe they are afraid it is contagious. Another oddity I have found is that I have often felt the pressure to be a spokesperson for blind people - needing to explain to people that, yes, blind people can actually have regular jobs, be married, have children etc. \n\nThose close to me have reacted in differing ways. My husband is very loving and supportive but totally in denial and cannot seem to remember to stop trying to hand me things - holding them out for me to grab. Drives me nuts. To my kids, I am just mom, but I think it frightens them to see me become so dependent. They forget to warn me of stairs, doorways, cars, you name it when we are out together in unfamiliar places. As a result, I am always falling, crashing into things and hurting myself.  Onlookers just think I must be mentally deficient or something. I have a sister in law who won't acknowledge my eye problem. She told me "I don't want to hear about it - there must be something you can do!" She thinks talking about it means I am whining about it. Yet another relative told me that I needed more faith in God to be cured and because I am still losing vision, my faith is not strong enough. Still other relatives open every conversation with "How are your eyes?" as if there is no more to me than my eye problem. I feel like saying, "Fine, how are your bowels?"\n\nI still work, but only marginally. Because we live in a small town, I am pretty much confined to working from home.  I do some contracting work for a news monitoring company but it is very low paying work. In the past, I was a professional with a college degree - now I am barely able to make $400 per month. This is bad for the self esteem.\n\nThe state I live in has special services for people who are visually impaired. They'll set you up with adaptive aids and teach you how to put raised stickers on your stove so you don't overheat the mashed potatoes, but there is nothing anywhere that can teach you how to be a blind person. From A-Z, I need to relearn absolutely everything and there is no resource for that. \n\nAs far as how I am doing - I am angry, frustrated and feeling utterly isolated. There are days when I feel completely useless and there ar
437213
Honey it would help if I knew what you were taking and believe me I know what you're going through.  This has been a rough year for me and the reality of life, the day-to-day is very difficult.  I'm being treated by a doctor and a therapist and additionally I'm working with a sort of spiritual guide who doesn't charge for her services.  She's really helped me learn to meditate and focus on what's good in my life and how to change what I don't like about it.  I don't know if that's for you but either way I want you to know that I understand what you're going through.  If you need to talk just message me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.\n\nOK I know how it is then.  I was on Zoloft too and it nearly drove me up a wall.  My doctor did several blood tests and he found out that I needed two types of anti-depressants to not only even each other out but help me quit smoking and he put me on an insulin regulator (I'm not diabetic I have PCOS and for the first time in my life my cycles are "regular")\n\nHoney, it's a miserable feeling not just in the fatigue, the mood, the overwhelming sensation of everything and everyone demanding what you just don't have in you to give at this moment.  You are a Good Mom!  This happens to a lot of people.  My best friend has three from 1 and a half to six and was fine with the first one and the last one but her second was really hard on her and it took awhile to get back on her feet.\n\nMy cousins wife had post partum with her son and then again with her twin girls and was treated each time.  Last year she had a NB and she was committed.\n\nI just don't want you to think you are alone or that no one cares about you.  Whether you believe it or not I DO CARE ABOUT YOU!  You can msg me anytime you want and I'll get back with you the first thing!  I'm going to pray for you today and send good thoughts of love and support and encouragement your way.  \n\nYou can get through this!  I know you can!  You probably just need to get your meds either changed or adjusted.  Maybe some counseling would help too and if you want to talk to my spiritual guide she is more than willing to help you and she will not charge you one dime EVER!  She said I could give you her email and it's master_amara@yahoo.com\n\nThere's alot of people in the world who care about you.  You did the right thing by speaking up about how you feel.  It's the first step.  Sometimes we can't handle things all by ourself and we need the support of others.  I'm here if you need me and so is Master Amara but you can just call her Amara.
508791
it definitely sounds like a great struggle. but as you described, intelligence is unbeatable, I would encourage you to keep doing what you are, try to look for peds neurology, better found in teaching institutes or university hospitals eg mayo, boston, houtson, indianapolis, etc. besides see if you find support groups for this condition, if you find none, consider starting one, since you and your family may not be the only one with this condition, wish you all the best, good luck
503186
The pins and needles thing is a side effect, supposedly it will "magicly" disapear. Pain and constant numbness sounds serious though, could it be diabetes related though? I dont know, go see a doctor. Whats you blood pressure? Remeron lowers it somtimes, might explain weakness. Whoknowes, go see a doctor.
19229
I have MS, for 8 years now.\nIt's a real pain in the a.., as you already know!\nHave problems with my legs (damn, they dont listen to me like they used to..hehe) and I believe you know all about those mood swings, that can occur every now and then :)))\nOther than that, I'm one pretty optimistic gal :)
293306
This is a question for doctors and counsellors and not "SOME" of the idots that use Yahoo Answers.\n\nYou are sure to have someone say some nasty things, prepare yourself.\n\nI've provided a very useful link to the Canadian, "Rick Hanson", the paraplegic that circled the globe in his wheelchair (and has kids) in his Man in Motion tour.\n\nMy best wishes for you in your future.\n\nI've read all of the questions you have asked. These questions are "MUCH TO PERSONAL" to be asking through this kind of medium. I admire your straight forwardness, but your questions are better left to your medical people.\n\nContact your Doctor, your Counsellor, first!... and then Rick Hanson.
536830
Get a second opinion, and not from a neurologist at the same hospital.  If the second neurologist confirms, you might want to get a psychiatrist's opinion as well - not suggesting mental illness, they just specialize in different aspects of brain functioning and should be willing to work with the neurologist.  The psych would also be the best resource if depression and anxiety are setting in.  You'll definitely want someone quite knowledgeable about drug interactions.
53054
Its really hard to say not knowing where you live .... i would look up on the internet for your area and see if there is anything offered. Just a suggestion too... for 12 years i was told i had depression and anxiety, come to find out after i freaked and drove my car to portland lost it and me and dont remember it, i was told i have bipolar , you may want to have that checked, but a regular doctor cant tell you this.... I hope you find help i know how frustrating it is.