Wondering how many if any are going through or have faced dificulty in not just recieving a diagnosis but the help after. Describing my symptoms to a doctor was told "sounds like an exacerbation, MS!" Going into further detail my neurologist only made me realize this has been going on for years! Never really looked into, or had to much concern in the years past. Was to random for me to give it a second thought. Even after two such attacks that shut my body down completely I had no concern. So I couln't walk, troubles breathing, couldn't even lift my arms. I figured with the abuse I put my body through on a daily basis was to blame. I have always been a bricklayer, typically between my regular job and my buisness my days were 16 hours or longer every day of the week. Then chiropractors, and rehabilitation took care of things. Tests would be done but nothing would be responsible. Time was valuable to me, I avoided giving it to my doctors any chance I could. In the last four years though something changed. Fatigue set in, almost overnight. My typical sleep pattern consisted of no more than five hours daily. Now suddenly it felt as if I couldn't come out of a comma. Started going to the doctors, deppression was the response. How can one have the power to lable when they don't even know you. I have had more than my share to deal with and by no means believed it to be true. I humored them anyway. Made things worse, tried other meds then stood my ground said no more. Other symptoms soon followed, vision, tremors, gait you all have been there so I don't need to tell you. So the fun began, I became a lab rat. After one MRI the doctors canceled my lumbar puncture. Somehow one neurologist became three, consulting with a fourth. Great it showed something! Was told it looks like MS along with Parkinson's. Understandable kind of runs in the family. So I had a new hobby research. My own conclusion as well as family in the medical profession, way to go doc. What kind of story would that make though. Even being told this they ran me through every test imaginable, different hospitals, other specialists, understood elimination of any other factors. Was begining to take a toll on me financially. If I don't work the money disappears, I lose my insurance and I get aggravated. You all know that our lifestyles can change if work becomes an issue. I made my concerns more than clear. Well you have to be at work in order to work, hard to do when 3-4 days a week were spent for tests 2,6,3, hours away from home. Some lucky days with only a 15 minute commute not many. Symptoms became worse, summer hit and I work out side tell me what do you think happened. Weekly sometimes daily attacks were occuring. Missed more work in a month than I have missed my entire life. Pain became a larger issue more severe and consistant. Doctors solution pretty much any pain med of my choice I have a list right up to the strongest. Great kidney and liver faliure will be next. I rarely bother taking anything. Slowness set in this is typical with Parkinsons but I don't know does anyone with MS experience this? You can be going along haveing the best day in your life, smack a brick wall. Irony! No matter what you do, think or try your body is in slow motion. As a bricklayer speed is essential as well as coordination. Not to mention being able to lift yourself up a forty foot ladder helps to. Amazing when weakness sets. Well the end of this story really is not over. Have gone from making six figures a year to monopoly money to pay for things. Doesn't work! Shut down the buisness, sold all equipment to pay medical bills, could not stay in the home I built, pretty much the life I had right down to my truck. Bankrupt, not just from testing also from surgery to help with swallowing on average 4 times a year, ambulance rides from me being to stubborn and continuing to try daily, hospitalizations it all adds up. My doctors bailed as well saying all that can be done has been. What I gave up everything to pay as much as I could because that is just what I feel is right to do and they quit? Honest people really get screwed sometimes. So here I sit fighting the same things that you all are going through without the backing of the medical profession. With friends, family and co workers watching the one they once knew struggling to just be one. That is what gets me the most. Suggestion, I do know that a main reason so many tests were ran,( I mean how many of you have had 5 plus MRI's in a year) had something to do with my body's ability to heal. So far. I have documented every attack, wannabe or full blown since 1998 described to the best of my capability. Only one consistent high activity. Well that is my frustration in a very short book, someday when I get an ending to this maybe I will make this volume 1! Anyone out there where do I go?