Symptoms....!

I am now back in the office, went in on Tuesday as I had a late night Saturday, plus I over did the old sauce and then didn't sleep well Sunday so decided against going to work Monday. I know, bad but hey.....

The girls (and guy) in the office are already being great. I am doing things at my own pace (slow as if I am too efficient I will run out of work to do) and have high jacked a nice desk as its usual occupant is away until after New Years. Having said that I have been out of the office for a few hours due to the station food shopping expedition (thank you Tesco for giving us £10 off our Christmas food bill!!) and an appointment with a nurse. I have also been given two Christmas pressies and a card since I started on Tuesday, doing well!!

My legs already feel better, I think that may be because my feet aren't so cold so the circulation is better and therefore I can feel more but my hands still feel funny and I drop things like paper if I don't concentrate on picking it up (most of the time).

I got my DVLA notice of revocation today, fortunately they are revoking my license and giving me a 3 year renewable license with a 1 year renewal of my LGV license (the one I need to drive ambulances) so although its a bit of a pain and I wish it wasn't the case it came as a relief to see that they were letting me keep the LGV. I burst into tears at the time, not sure why, either relief or sadness. I am guessing relief. I think I had forgotten about the DVLA question but it was obviously sat nagging somewhere in there. Still, will pop the form in the post tomorrow so hopefully my new license will appear soon.

I thought I would add my symptoms log to this blog...... Its a very boring read I expect but if anyone out there is wondering if you're the only one then it might help, you never know.....

1^st episode – numbness to left side of torso, approx February 2006 lasting around 3 – 4 weeks.
2^nd episode – numbness to left side of torso and strange ‘stretching’ sensation in spine (when bending/leaning forwards), approx October 2006 lasting around 3 – 4 weeks.
3^rd episode – started end January 2007.
Right arm – underneath, change in sensation from armpit to tip of little finger, finger and right side of middle finger. Slight pins and needles sensation to fingers. End Jan 2007.
Around 11.02.07 – Both legs altered sensation and slight pins and needles.
24.02.07 – Right leg worsened and change in sensation to buttocks and genitalia.
08.03.07 – GP appointment, took self off the road.
12.03.07 – Occupational Health appointment.
24.03.07 – Vision in right eye – looking to right blurred.
03.04.07 – Appointment Capio Hospital, Dr Adcock.
Around 08.04.07 – Right leg and buttocks slightly better.
14.04.07 – Right eye 99% better.
16.04.07 – Occupational Health appointment – Closing case until I need to see them again.
09.05.07 – Left eye hazy vision and pain in and above eye. Pain worsened on eye movement.
18.05.07 – Left arm underneath numb from armpit to ends of fingers. Left side of torso numb from above breast to level of navel.
20.05.07 – both legs tired no change in sensation. Lasted two days.
21.05.07 – Appointment RBH Dr Adcock. MS diagnosis. Steroids started. 500mg per day for five days.
22.05.07 – Left eye pain free.
24.05.07 – Left eye vision a lot better (90%). (off work for 2 days)
27.05.07 – 1^st day no pain killers taken.
29.05.07 – Back at work, left eye worsens during day when using computer.
31.05.07 – Short day at work due to tiredness.
Around 08.06.07 – 21.06.07 - ‘Stretching’ sensation in spine when bending/leaning forwards.
25.06.07 – Appointment Dr Weir – MS Nurse to call re Rebif. MS diagnosis confirmed.
10.07.07 – Appointment JR Oxford for EEG
16.07.07 – Appointment Adastral/MS Nurse
19.07.07 – License to DVLA
23.07.07 – Back to work

End 3^rd episode, residual change in sensation to little finger, right hand and right foot gets tingly and slightly numb when too hot, usually in trainers.

30.07.07 – Eye check – all ok
13.08.07 – 1^st Rebif injection 8.8

4^th Relapse:
24.08.07 – Left side of torso, inc back numb between breast and navel.
27.08.07 – Rebif 22
04.09.07 – Left work early – migraine
09.09.07 – ON Left eye, very little pain
10.09.07 – Rebif 44
17.09.07 – Bladder playing up slightly, vision worse, not driving ambulances
24.09.07 – 1 week off sick. Not coping with ON or tiredness, no pain with ON
01.10.07 – Bladder behaving
10.10.07 – Left work early, migraine
12.10.07 – Lost the plot, crying at work
16.10.07 – Appt, Sarah, RBH
22.10.07 – Left eye 98% better most of the time, worse in the morning and when tired
24.10.07 – Occi Health appt and Flu jab
06.11.07 – Burning sensation in left leg, knee and thigh, moved to right leg
14.11.07 – Bloods taken RBH A&E
16.11.07 – Burning sensation back to just left leg
20.11.07 – Sensation in both legs back to normal except when legs tired
21^ST NOVEMBER 2007 - SIX MONTHS SINCE DIAGNOSIS
28.11.07 – L’Hermittes sign
04.12.07 – Change in sensation in legs up to waist, inc genitalia….. Torso slightly worse, left eye same
12.12.07 – Right leg worse than left, went to work but got sent home
13.12.07 – Change in sensation to little finger, ring finger and side of both hands
17.12.07 – On light duties

So, it goes on forever but it is pretty much everything I can remember and although 2006 is estimated the rest is accurate to the week so gives the time line of my MS so far.

Tonight I am sitting on the sofa reading emails and eating chocolate, as of January 2nd I will have to stop eating as much chocolate as I am changing my eating habits so am making the most of it!!