Appointment with Dr Dunn

I was now getting to be a walking map of the LGI, and come appointment day I intended on getting to the waiting room with plenty of time to spare, on the off chance that I was going to get in and be seen early. My symptoms however had decided against this and prior to leaving for the hospital I suffered one of the worst falls since being ill. My legs were getting progressively weaker, steps were proving near impossible and I was finding being a strong righty meant I was dragging my right foot and taking the brunt of the fall on my left. Cuts and bruises were aplenty. This fall culminated in re-opening on old scab on my left knee as well as adding a new one with a bruise to match, and leaving my confidence quite shaken. 

Scans, scans and more Scans

Since seeing Dr. Azam I had received a series of appointment letters telling me that I needed to attend the hospital for scans to check for anything which wasn’t picked up on the physical examinations. I needed a full abdominal scan as well as a cardiac echo ultrasound to make sure everything (else) was working ok under the surface.

Centre Parcs – The highs and the lows (and I’m not just talking about the rapids)

The wait between my first appointment with Dr. Azam and the next appointment with Dr. Dunn was agonizing, especially as Dr. Azam had suggested CIDP. Google here I come (never one to follow my own advice)! Having read about the symptoms, progression and treatment online, (it has to be said that Wikipedia’s constant use of the morbidity does nothing to inspire confidence) it seemed fairly clear that the good Doctor might be on to a winner. Some sites and blogs my partner and I read could frankly been written by myself.

Neurology appointment 1

Neurology Out-Patients is in the Jubilee Building of Leeds General Infirmary and is a surprising distance when reduced to baby steps. Still, I was optimistic, that with 2 appointments on one day I was going to finally crack this nut and get some answers. Dutifully, my partner and I set out and extensive timeline of symptoms, falls and aches as mentioned in my previous post (thanks Rach), which I was prepared to recite to both consultants if required. Arriving at the Neurology and Cardiac desk I took a seat and waiting to be seen by Dr. Dunn.

Relief, Respite and Improvement

Relief was my main thought having received the results of my MRI, undeniable relief. Also, for the first time in some weeks my symptoms began to abate. My legs didn’t feel so heavy, the tingling sensation in my hands drastically reduced. My grip even seemed to be showing the smallest signs of improvement. After feeling unsteady on my feet following my fall outside the hospital a week or so earlier, I even surprised my family by walking 4 or so miles around Temple Newsam Estate as an Easter Sunday treat. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the newborn animals in the estate farm and walking around the ponds and orangery.

Wales v England

The symptoms in my hands and legs continued steadily until an unfortunate peak on the 16^th of March. This date is remembered for a number of reasons, firstly - Wales defeating England in the 6 Nations Rugby tournament to seal the championship – WIN; secondly - because after walking 250 meters after watching the match I collapsed – FAIL.

Google is the Enemy!

What I would advise anyone who is currently in “limbo land” – awaiting diagnosis and finding out the cause of their symptoms, is to stay well clear of Googling your symptoms. We all do it. Unfortunately neurological disorders of all shapes and sizes manifest with my symptoms, which can cause (if you’re like me) a considerable amount of emotional upheaval.  

Secondary symptoms – What a pain in the leg

It was around the beginning of March that I started to develop another symptom. My calves began to ache dully after walking any distance. They felt like you would expect them too after a colossal calf work out in the gym, but after no exertion at all. I put that down to lack of physical activity. Having moved house, I had gone from walking a few miles every day to driving everywhere in the last 6 months, so I hoped a bit of light exercise would rectify the issue.

Bloody bloody bloods

A few days after my appointment with Dr Hambridge I had my blood taken, and as the title of this post suggests, they took a lot! But as I was surprised to discover, there are a whole raft of other potential ailments and illnesses that present with a tingling sensation in the extremities. Not particularly encouraging, (especially as the on-going joke between me and my partner was that “I never get ill”) but I wanted answers!

I hate needles...

The Beginning

The end of December 2012 saw the onset of my initial symptoms, which began with a very faint numbness in my fingers. Not a pins and needles sensation but a buzzing feeling in each of my fingers, as well as a progressive weakness with my grip, but fortunately no sensory loss. I didn’t think anything of it for some time...