I'm so glad you had the strength to get the test done! I hope and pray that the tests come back normal for you! If there is a problem, just remember that doctors can do amazing things these days and it is not a sentence - just a diagnosis. You will be ok! Take it one day at a time. One moment at a time. Hang in there!

Hey - had the test today. It wasn't so bad, and I actually felt ok doing it. Was a little anxious going in (ok a lot) but haven't had any panic-like attacks at all today....until now. So I'm freaking out again, since I actually felt better all morning and even during the test. Now, when I should feel ok, getting ready for a party we're throwing tomorrow, suddenly my legs are trembling on the inside - it's not visible at all. And my left arm is aching like mad again (the reasons I was sent for the MRI in the first place). Of course now all the thoughts are going through my head that I really do have MS, and the stress of the last few days has caused an exacerbation again. When will I just feel normal and healthy - for a long period of time? And once again, the bigger question - how will I manage if I do get a diagnosis of MS?????

Hey NS! I know you're feeling extra anxious about the test but I would suggest you go through with it anyway. Your doctor probably just wants to cover all the bases and make sure there are no underlying physical things going on. If you don't go through the test you will always feel like you should have. Put your mind to ease and get it done. The event is never as bad as the anticipation. Hang in there - you can do it! Let us know how it goes!

Hey there - wondering if anyone has any advice for quieting the anxious thoughts instilled by doctors? I haven't been diagnosed with anxiety/panic disorder, although my 'attacks' are definitely situational -ie. fine at home, attacks at work or out in crowds- so I'm pretty sure this is what I am dealing with. However, the minute I mentioned 'numbness' and 'dizziness' to my doctor he sent me to a neurologist, thinking it was neck problems. The MRI and xrays of my neck came back normal. So the nuerologist is thinking 'MS'. No one is listening to me when I tell them that I am pretty much ok at home, on the weekends (when I'm at home) or if I'm on vacation, unless we go out in a crowd. If I'm distracted I'm ok too. But in crowds and especially at work my symptoms are terrible. I find it difficult to believe that I have 'situational MS'. But the thought is now in my head and I can't get it out. I've read about MS and it's symptoms but unfortunately, early onset of this disease presents with similar symptoms to anxiety - dizziness, numbness, loss of sleep, nausea, etc. So while I keep telling myself that it's probably anxiety (I'm generally a very 'high strung' person and my mother suffered with depression, as did my sister and my grandmother, and my brother with agoraphobia, gad and ocd), but I can't help but think 'what if it is MS?' And then I start to freak out even more. I can't stop the 'what if' thoughts. I just started the 12 week Panic Program, and I have an appt to see a counsellor next week. But I also have an MRI scheduled of my brain this week - at my neurologist's recommendation. I don't want to take this test - I know it's making everything worse for me this week - just the thought of taking it (I'm VERY claustrophobic so they are going to give me a Valium before the test) and the thought of what the results could be. I know that I won't want to hear the results if they are positive for MS. I've already told my husband that he will have to hear the results and not tell me if it is MS (since there isn't much that can be done anyway). But at the same time I'm very very much freaking out over this. And also I should mention that my sleep is terrible, I've started trembling when I wake up, plus having lots of nightmares and a nerve