Tuesday, April 26, 2011 T Dugan asks

Q: How many little tests before the MRI might be done?

How many different "little" tests did you go through before you graduated to the spinal tap/MRI phase? AND Insurance wise, does a dr. order a bunch of blood work and try B12 injections up front to show the insurance company they have exhausted most possibilitiesbefore ordering an expensive MRI?

First round of bloodwork showed low B12 - got a shot in the office and will be giving myself a shot every 2 wks.

DR said at first to come back in 2 months until I said that just in the last 2 weeks my symptoms have gotten worse. He changed it to my next appt. is in a month...unless things get "really bad?"

I did mention that I had done research on web and found that all of my sxs fall under MS.

He was not impressed.

I have to remember that this is the same DR that I brought my mom to for Alzheimers dx. I figured out her dx 4 years before he did...I know that is because I was living with her and had tons more time to monitor sxs.

New dx code on my blood work today: 729.1

Myalgia and myositis unspecifiedan acute, subacute, or chronic painful state of muscles, subcutaneous tissues, ligaments, tendons, or fasciae caused by a number of agents such as trauma, strain, occupation, exposure, posture, infection, or arthritis.Inflammation and fibrous degeneration of a muscle.A common nonarticular rheumatic condition that is characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, and stiffness.

Appreciate any response.T

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Answers (1)

Lisa Emrich, Health Guide

5/12/11 9:53am

Hi T Dugan,

The answer to your question will likely vary for each one of us in our own situations. Since you did test low for B-12 (which can cause many, many of the very same symptoms as MS), it is prudent of your doctor to address that issue first. MS is a diagnosis of elimination. It is necessary to rule other things out and for you the low B-12 is one of them.

It is good that your doctor will see you in one month instead of two. That way if there is an obvious decline in function or new issues have arisen, then it can be documented in your file. Now it is possible that you could have a B-12 deficiency and STILL be developing MS, but it would be less likely I imagine.

As far as the diagnostic code, it is a description of what you are experiencing, obviously not the cause. My diagnostic code changed during the course of my own diagnosis to one which better represented the current understanding of what was going on at that time.

Q: How many little tests before the MRI might be done?

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