[LDSmomma6]

She was admitted to the hospital on May 29th for almost a week because she was so sick. Doctors thought they found a mass, and then supposedly it wasn't. Since being released (abt. 5 days later) she can't move. I mean, she can, but she is so tired all the time. She woke up Monday (June 21) and her right side was totally numb. She went back to the doctor and they are testing her for Lupus and MS. Doctor wasn't going to test for MS because he said it was a "western disease". My brother said that she had been born and raised in Utah, so test her. Western Disease?? We are in Texas. I have a few friends here in Texas, never lived in the west, with MS? What's up with that? As of this morning, no results back.

Her house is a complete wreck. She is the SIL who I always admired, even though she really really drove me crazy 2/3 of the time, because she could keep a clean house. I mean, mine is clean, but hers is perfect!! My Dad went up a few days ago (20 minute drive...usually the 4 children come to my parents house because brother works in hometown), and he came home and told my mom that their house was a complete wreck. My brother is a lawyer, so spends most his days in court or with clients, and then comes home to take care of his wife and children. He doesn't have time to clean house. So my mom and sister are going up today to clean their house. My SIL is so tired. She sleeps all day. She says her stomach hurts her all the time. She only has 1 kidney as well.

I live almost 2 hrs away, and I have 6 kids. I can't barely well go to her house and help without taking my 6 kids. What would be the point? It would drive us both nuts! I called my mom today and told her that I could meet her 1/2 way if she wanted to bring me 2 of the kids for a few days. I have other sisters who live close to parents that could help with the other 2.

I just feel so sad for SIL. I hope she can find out what's wrong soon.

 

[Pynki]

My 1st thought was that it does sound a bit like lupus to me.. Also what an idiot dr. .Anyone can get MS.. It doesn't matter where you live.. Just an FYI. .They usually do an ANA test 1st to check for auto-immune problems, but something like 10 % of all people with lupus will have a negative ANA test.. So... Even if that test comes back negative that doesn't mean they shouldn't be testing for specific anti-bodies more specific antibodies..I will keep your SIL in my thoughts..

Warm Squishy Feelings..

Dyan

 

[TopazBlueMama]

Wow, I hope they get things figured out! It really turns family life upside down when the mama is sick..it's hard. I hope things will get better for them.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

s and prayers.I hope they figure it all out soon and she can start feeling better.

 

[AahRee]

Praying for your SIL.

 

[ChristieB]

I'm so sorry! There are definitely prayers and good thoughts here. Here's a link to the MS support group thread here on Health and Healing. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...iple+sclerosis I'm so glad to hear that your SIL has so much family support! That's wonderful.

I don't know much about Lupus. But I do know about MS because I was diagnosed with it last fall. I'm not convinced, from you description of your SIL's dr., that she has a good dr. (I have absolutely no idea what he meant by "western disease". Some consider it a disease mostly of the developed world, but that wouldn't exclude Texas. It is more of a risk the further a person is from the equator, but Texas is not close enough to the equator to make it so unheard of. Besides, it's where a person grew up that indicates the risk factor, not where they live now. That statement makes me really question this dr.). Is there any way she can see a neurologist?? The one who diagnosed me was good at looking for all possibilities and testing for them.

Speaking of testing, what kind of testing is the dr. doing for the MS? The usual tests, at least in Albuquerque, are MRI and spinal tap. The spinal tap also tests for other diseases that may or may not be a possibility for her (for me, since I'd had a bad cold the week before, they tested for West Nile and Guillom Beret (sp?) to rule them out, too). Neither of the tests for MS is conclusive, but they do, along with symptom analysis, give a good idea of whether a person has MS.

Sorry if I've given you more info than you wanted.

I do that sometimes. Anyway, I wish the best to your SIL.

Christie

 

[ChristieB]

Just checking in to see how your SIL is doing?

Christie

 

[callmemama]

If you SIL's insurance will allow her to go to a specialist, she should go to a rheumatologist to get checked for Lupus... Hope she's better soon