Here's my story so far: I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1990.
Along with that I have developed extreme heat-sensitivity the last
couple of years. I knew that wasn't Fibro-related, but but didn't
know it could be MS-related until my sister was diagnosed with MS 2
years ago. I also have increasing cognitive issues and fatigue which
are making it hard to do my job. And I have pretty much all the
other symptoms of Fibro.

Since I started feeling a lot worse in the last couple of months, I
went back to my neurologist. It was like pulling teeth to get him to
listen to my symptoms :o) He has been treating me for years for
migraine headaches, and I guess he wasn't inclined to listen to any
new symptoms. He tried to say it was hormonal (I have been having hot
flashes for 15 years - my "heat intolerance" IS NOT hormonal!!!) Then
he tried to put it off to Thyroid - I handed him a copy of a blood
test my primary care physician requested the end of May -- my thyroid
is normal. All the other blood results were all normal or negative -
no hepatitis nor HIV. My sed rate is 1, so no lupus, rheumatoid
arthritis, etc. He then tried to put it off to the Fibromyalgia -
the newest theory about Fibro is that it is caused by sleep
problems. I told him I was sleeping better than I had in years. He
took me off of 2 of the preventative medications for migraines that
could possibly be causing fatigue and cognitive issues. So far I am
not feeling any better . . . I told him that my Primary Care
Physician (PCP) tried to order an MRI, but the insurance company
wanted more back-up notes, so my PCP referred me back to my
neurologist.

Finally, after I cried and probably sounded quite impatient and
irritable, my neuro calmly conceded that I should have an MRI. (Gee,
isn't that what I said?) The order he wrote for the MRI was for a
REPEAT MRI (I have never had one before . . .) because of chronic
migraines and because heat intolerance indicates demyelination. I am
pretty sure, from the way he acted, that he thought I was over-
reacting. The MRI is scheduled for next week. At least I am getting
started . . . I am hoping it shows SOMETHING.

My older sister has MS and it took her 4 months to get diagnosed for
sure. She had symptoms for years (since her 30s) and she figured it
was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibro. Her symptoms got worse 3 years
ago and they started testing her. She had an inconclusive MRI, so the
doctor did a lumbar puncture, and an evoked potentials test. This
finally resulted in her diagnosis. I have read numerous articles on
the internet and there are MANY stories about how it is very
difficult sometimes to get diagnosed. I am trying to be patient!

I am both hopeful that it is MS (to finally explain why I feel so
bad) and scared that it is MS. My sister said this was normal - that
she felt the same way.

I am very glad that I found this group. Thanks for being here!!

Lori
Mesa AZ