Hi i am new to group

[Guest guest]

Hi my name is Vicki and I 'm new here. I've had symptoms for 16 1/2

years. I have been to dozens of

doctors and have yet to be diagnosed with anything. I have a lot of

chiari symptoms. I have some

symptoms that no doctor has ever heard of. When I was fifteen I had

Pneumonia and thats when it all

started. I have a grainy snowy visual disturbance that never goes

away. I have pain behind my eyes stabbing and pressure pain, neck

numbness and pain, a stiff neck, pain

that shoots down my arms and legs, numbness in my arms and legs,

personality changes, my ears ring ,

trouble staying asleep and falling asleep, headaches, awful pains in

my head that last for a few seconds

(like something is stabbing my brain). My nose is always leaking

water (like a dog). Some days I can't

concentrate on anything and just stare into space. I have trouble

staying awake during the day. My hair is

falling out my skin is extremely dry. I sweat a lot but I always feel

cold even when I'm sweating. I have

joint pains. I just had an mri of my head yesterday at Yale

which, I had to beg for. I'm really nervous

that it will come back normal, after all these years of

trying to figure out whats wrong, a normal test

result is devastating to me. I live in Connecticut and can't

find a doctor that will believe anything I say

or, they run some blood tests and then give up. Since

I haven't been diagnosed my family thinks i'm lazy

and that i'm not living up to my potential. If I try to talk

about my illness they don't believe me. I feel all alone.

Vick

[Guest guest]

dear Vicki,

I am sorry that no one will take you serious. For so many years the only

person who believed in me was my husband. So many doctors have said " Give me

a diagnosis and maybe I can help you. " Many people thought I was lazy and

maybe a hypocondriac, especially since that doctors couldn't find anything on

my tests. My husband has been asked to leave many doctors offices because he

would tell them that he sees what I am going through and it was very real.

After what seemed like endless doctors, a neurosurgeon (on December 23rd)

spent about 5 minutes looking a the actual films of an MRI and said, do you

want your surgery before or after christmas?

I try to tell people now that it takes the right specialist to know what is

wrong with you. You know if your body is not right and don't stop yelling it

until someone answers. You are never alone, please don't feel that way. I

have been blessed with a man who believes in me and I hope that you will find

someone too. I don't mean in just a husband, but maybe a friend or relative,

just someone who will listen to you and stand up for you when the doctors and

people try to bully you into believing it's all in your head.

Good luck in finding a doctor who can help you.

Merry Christmas,

debbi