StuckAtHome, you do have a reason!!!!! You have spasms that HURT and ice packs are a way of life for me now. I sleep with one next to me, because most nights I wake up with a muscle spasm in my lower back. Whether you have MS or not, something is not right and you are going to therapy to get help. Stop worrying about what "others" may think. Your problem is real, it hurts and you need help!!!!

Okay, so i have a child your age and the mother in me has come out!! LOL!!!! Take care of yourself!

what is the original reason your going to therapy.. from what I am trying to understand you have not been diagnosed with MS.. am I correct ?

Sorry for the confusion, the therapy is because I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Part of the reason I'm a little unsure how to handle this is because I was originally told that none of my issues were neurological, they were all psychological. I've been told everything from "quit faking it, right now!" by a nurse at the hospital (while paralyzed and experiencing muscle spasms). All the way up to my last psychiatrist telling me that my issue looked "hysterical in nature". My current psychiatrist said he thought it was conversion disorder but to feel free to get a second opinion. I believe part of the problem is that I already had a history of mental illness before the neurological symptoms appeared so they all assumed I was crazy. The neurologist has already said that's it's definitely not psychological but I guess I still feel embarrassed after how I've been treated in the past.

Why should you be embarrassed for a mis-diagnosis? I also was diagnosed as Bi-polar in the beginning. Recieved SSD for conversion disorder and now it has been determined that they were wrong. No more Depakote or Lithium. And I still feel the same as I did.
You've nothing to be embarrassed about. Do what you have to do in order to find the true diagnosis and treatment.
By the way. The therapy actually helped in a way and I still go. But if your Therapist or psychologist is calling you a liar then you need a new one.

I started off by walking funny so my Dr. sent me to a movement disorder neuro.. From there I had an MRI that showed I have several lesions in my brain. Maybe you should do the same so you know!!

hi a lot of good general advice in post #1 in my opinion...not that my opinion matters...but anyways take care....

consider looking into private disability insurance before you are Dx and have a bunch of notes in your records

Attitude is Everything

Get all your insurance in order.

Oaky, first, there are several people here who are dxd with both bi-polar and MS, they do not have to exclude each other, nor does any other mental issue exclude MS. Many people here, although never dxd with anything other than severe depression, have also been called lazy, crazy, fakers, delusional, slackers, all kinds of things. You are not alone...but you have some issues tha make it a little harder to deal with. Oh well, you know that you are ill. When I went to SSDI for my examinations, I did not take my cane, I did not it to look like I was trying to look like I had MS ( I know. A little odd.)...the doctor asked me where my cane was and I told him why I didn't have it, and he said, "or maybe you are embarrassed and don't like it?" So he went on to tell me that I should be using it. So as you see, it is just best to take care of yourself and acknowledge the symptoms that you have to.

I am not sure if you are saying tahat the leg cramp indicates a flare, maybe just stay with one thing at a time, and that would be getting a neuro to work up a profile, MRIs w/ and without contrast, LP if needed, physical exam/evaluation. You say that the neuro believes you, so ask that some things that will give answers be the next step.

Don't be embarrassed. Just get some help. Good Luck.

Ok here is whaT I DO!! if you need an ice pack for the heat or muscle spasm whie you are out and dont want to carry it around with you. I have found for myself to take a drink will a lid and fill it with ice that way if you need it ,its always there. And know one will think anything of it. Also if I get a muscle spasm while sitting and i am talking to someone, rub and move the area that hurts it helps me a lot!! Take care. Hope This Helped!! :)