[TimTheEnchanter]

I don't know...My pdoc reduced my lithium a little(only take 600mg) and now I am hypo with a weird obsessive feeling that I might have Multiple Sclerosis in a very early form...this idea is like a worm in my head...I have been having 4 hours sleep for 3-4 days in a row now?

It seems that I am always happier down/or depressed - feel more normal. Apparently I am always hypo with some obsessive feeling of paranoia. This is nothing new, except I am noticing/realizing it...the other had I am afraid to make a doctors appointment because what if I get a spinal tap and indeed I am MS? (in some early form, I have weird circulatory feeling/numbness on both my feet, and now occasionally my hand. Could this be a side affect of Lithium?

A diagnosis would be quite depressing...I'm torn as what to do...I am afraid of the what if....

Common early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) include:
vision problems. {check, just had a detached retina}
tingling and numbness. {check, could be sciatica}
pains and spasms.
weakness or fatigue.
balance problems or dizziness. {check}
bladder issues. {check but side effect of lithium}
sexual dysfunction.
cognitive problems. {check, side effect of bipolar/old age}

Dear TimTheEnchanter,If it were me, I'd first go to my psychiatrist for advice about the lithium. Did s/he reduce it because of these symptoms? Plus your pdoc could likely let you know if your worries/concerns are paranoia of it they are "real"

If the pdoc says if there's a possibility of MS or some other nerve type disease, I have to wonder if a spinal tap is as painful as t hey used to be. Here's why I wonder and you could probably find out. Here was my experience with a "fine needle biopsy" of my thyroid. The endocrinologist, in several ultrasounds over about 18 months, found two nodules (bumps - I found pics of them on google images. Yukky looking things!) I was terrified of getting the fine needle biopsy. The doc swore i was not painful, and that the fine needle was very small. but I didn't believe it. It meant that a needle would be stuck in my neck, all the way into the thyroid -- in several places! Terrifying thought. My sister in law had it, and said it was the worst pain she'd ever had in her life. I tried to find a doctor who would give me a general anesthetic, and they all said, "That's not the type of thing we give general anesthetics for!" I was trapped!

So with great fear and trepidation, I went to the clinic for the fine needle biopsy. They gave me a numbing shot (which in itself was not even painful at all.) Then the doctor inserted the fine needle, and wiggled it around in there -NO PAIN -- and I mean NOT ANY! It was am altogether okay experience! A long experience -- about a hour. No problems at all. The doctor was very nice -- a different doctor from my regular endocrinologist. I told him about my sister in law's experience. His reply: "It depends on WHO'S DONG IT!"

However, I had done my online homework. The sites I found on this procedure said it as imperative to find a doctor who really knew what s/he was doing and did at least 50 of the surgeries a year, (the kind of surgeries I will have soon on the parathyroid, since the thyroid turned out to b okay, but that's another story. Suffice it to say it's a very delicate and tricky surgery). The online patient comments were that a lot of doctors like to do the parathyroiod surgeries, because they made 'A LOT OF MONEY' on these surgeries, but could REALLY mess things up, like maybe damage the vocal cords. (Now known as the vocal fold, not vocal cords) So when I was at my first endocrinologst, wanted to send me to the surgeon at his own clinic. I told him I wanted a surgeon who did at least 50 such surgeris a year. So he referred me to another surgeou. Said she is the "best there is!" Notice that his first choice was his own clinic's surgeoun and it was not till I said aboaut 50 srugeries a year, that he referred on!

So I went to the other surgeon. . I asked her nurse if the doctor did 50 of the surgiers a year. (I'm starting to do typos -- sorry! It's late at night and I'm taking a while writing these (hopefully) encouraging things to you. So the nurse said, "She does a lot more than THAT! About 3-4 a WEEK."

When I had the bioopy , it was so easy!

So my point here, for you is, I'd say before you get real fearful of a spinal tap, go to your pdoc asap. If s/he says it may be something physical or neurological., only THENdo some online research. First tings first. No need to d o what one therapist called "anticipatory anxiety" I used to be so good at anticipatory anxiety! Not so much anymore, since I realize it's trying to predict the future, and more often than not the very thing/s I anticipated work out find in few days anyway. If necessary, check things maybe like spinal tap pain. Spinal tap procedure. How to find a good clinic/doctor to do your spinal tap. Whatever these searches come up with, and you may get some other words to continue your research. If you live in a small community, as my sister in law and my brother do, you may need to consider traveling to a larger city clinic/hospital for it. The small community may not have a complete specialist. So anyway, I sure recommend (1) see our pdoc asap. (2) only after the pdoc's conclusion, then do some online research on spinal tap before you completely freak out.

[TimTheEnchanter]

I am due to see him. Thanks for the answer. It makes a lot of sense...

Originally Posted by flowerbells

Dear TimTheEnchanter,If it were me, I'd first go to my psychiatrist for advice about the lithium. Did s/he reduce it because of these symptoms? Plus your pdoc could likely let you know if your worries/concerns are paranoia of it they are "real"

If the pdoc says if there's a possibility of MS or some other nerve type disease, I have to wonder if a spinal tap is as painful as t hey used to be. Here's why I wonder and you could probably find out. Here was my experience with a "fine needle biopsy" of my thyroid. The endocrinologist, in several ultrasounds over about 18 months, found two nodules (bumps - I found pics of them on google images. Yukky looking things!) I was terrified of getting the fine needle biopsy. The doc swore i was not painful, and that the fine needle was very small. but I didn't believe it. It meant that a needle would be stuck in my neck, all the way into the thyroid -- in several places! Terrifying thought. My sister in law had it, and said it was the worst pain she'd ever had in her life. I tried to find a doctor who would give me a general anesthetic, and they all said, "That's not the type of thing we give general anesthetics for!" I was trapped!

So with great fear and trepidation, I went to the clinic for the fine needle biopsy. They gave me a numbing shot (which in itself was not even painful at all.) Then the doctor inserted the fine needle, and wiggled it around in there -NO PAIN -- and I mean NOT ANY! It was am altogether okay experience! A long experience -- about a hour. No problems at all. The doctor was very nice -- a different doctor from my regular endocrinologist. I told him about my sister in law's experience. His reply: "It depends on WHO'S DONG IT!"

However, I had done my online homework. The sites I found on this procedure said it as imperative to find a doctor who really knew what s/he was doing and did at least 50 of the surgeries a year, (the kind of surgeries I will have soon on the parathyroid, since the thyroid turned out to b okay, but that's another story. Suffice it to say it's a very delicate and tricky surgery). The online patient comments were that a lot of doctors like to do the parathyroiod surgeries, because they made 'A LOT OF MONEY' on these surgeries, but could REALLY mess things up, like maybe damage the vocal cords. (Now known as the vocal fold, not vocal cords) So when I was at my first endocrinologst, wanted to send me to the surgeon at his own clinic. I told him I wanted a surgeon who did at least 50 such surgeris a year. So he referred me to another surgeou. Said she is the "best there is!" Notice that his first choice was his own clinic's surgeoun and it was not till I said aboaut 50 srugeries a year, that he referred on!

So I went to the other surgeon. . I asked her nurse if the doctor did 50 of the surgiers a year. (I'm starting to do typos -- sorry! It's late at night and I'm taking a while writing these (hopefully) encouraging things to you. So the nurse said, "She does a lot more than THAT! About 3-4 a WEEK."

When I had the bioopy , it was so easy!

So my point here, for you is, I'd say before you get real fearful of a spinal tap, go to your pdoc asap. If s/he says it may be something physical or neurological., only THENdo some online research. First tings first. No need to d o what one therapist called "anticipatory anxiety" I used to be so good at anticipatory anxiety! Not so much anymore, since I realize it's trying to predict the future, and more often than not the very thing/s I anticipated work out find in few days anyway. If necessary, check things maybe like spinal tap pain. Spinal tap procedure. How to find a good clinic/doctor to do your spinal tap. Whatever these searches come up with, and you may get some other words to continue your research. If you live in a small community, as my sister in law and my brother do, you may need to consider traveling to a larger city clinic/hospital for it. The small community may not have a complete specialist. So anyway, I sure recommend (1) see our pdoc asap. (2) only after the pdoc's conclusion, then do some online research on spinal tap before you completely freak out.

I'm thinking of you with best wishes, and a for a good outcome with your pdoc. If you wish, please keep us informed.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Apparently the spinal tap is out, they have a brain scan now...I have emailed my GP/ doctor and he did not seem too worried...but they never are. I will go to him in March maybe but the pdoc is fiirst. Thanks for listening.

[Unrigged64072835]

My husband has MS and I don't remember him mentioning a spinal tap. Usually he has MRI's to find out where the damage is at.

However, I did have a spinal tap a long time ago. It wasn't painful or anything.

Best to talk to your doctor and see if anything needs to be done.