[wink]

It looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.

Not if you stick to coffee.......

 

[Baldr]

Posting this everywhere I post:

It seems it has been some time since I have posted -- not because I didn’t want to, but more like I have been pretty weirdly sick. So here goes the narrative, in the proper style of the most polished of hypochondriacs. This started about ten years ago when I noticed some funny gait sensations when I walked. Within 3-4 years, I was morphing into a genuine gimp, but what the hell, I was still moving. Then the slurred speech started – I sounded like a drunk at 10 o’clock in the morning. Funny thing was, these symptoms would come and go.

So I went to the Doctor who solemnly intoned that I must have suffered a stroke (I was badly slurring when he examined me) and sent me out for a MRI. The MRI came back negative for a stroke. Puzzled, he examined me again. I asked about how this could be a stroke when all of these symptoms come and go. He diagnosed me with the IDKWTFYH Syndrome (I don’t know what the phuck you have). I worked around the limp and slur and attempted to ignore them. I settled into a bit of an interrupted routine, for example not showing up at trade show booths until I wasn’t slurring, and so on. Over the next few years, the on time for the slur was getting longer and longer, and all of a sudden I couldn’t button my buttons, write a check, or solder anymore. Besides all of that, my walking was getting worse and worse. However, all of this was still coming and going.

I stepped up to once more to Valencia’s best neurologist to see what he had to say. I was well examined to by an attending nuerologist who could not conceal his puzzlement. Once more I was diagnosed with IDKWTFYH Syndrome. A year or so ago I noticed that when I would attempt to type, a sort of “letter salad” would appear instead of my intended prose. I took solace in the notion that all those symptoms would soon pass, but it was taking longer for them to do so. Those who knew me well told me that my body motion was encumbered, but I did not listen.

Please allow this digression: In Vietnam we had a neuro-toxic snake called the Blue Krait. I witnessed one fellow soldier who was bitten. Within a few hours, his extremities were going numb. Within a day or so, his ability to walk was gone. He still could talk after a fashion, and his brain was 100% functional. Another day passed and he was only capable of slight eye motion and his muscles which enabled him to breathe failed that night – at least that’s what the medic said. That is one of my greatest fears – to be caught in a failing body fully awake and aware of everything as it slowly dies. I bring up the Blue Krait because a month or so ago, I woke up one morning and could neither walk nor talk. Scared the bejezus out of me. I was newly motivated!!

My poor wife Rosie had been trying to find more through and comprehensive medical attention. She opted for UCLA and we awaited an appointment, the first of which was a month or so ago. The neurologist examined me, gave me a tentative clinical diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare but treatable disorder. Diagnosis! She gave me medication for that but insisted, however, that I required specialized testing which could only be given and assessed by a Neuro-Muscular Junction Specialist. Further, the pills worked for some of the symptoms, particularly the low strength. It seemed like progress – until the labs came back with the result I was missing some Myasthenia Gravis antibodies in blood tests.

So, it seems as of now, I currently stand half diagnosed and until I see the next UCLA Neuro-Muscular specialist in two weeks, hoping for more specific data, I’ll settle on a Myasthenia Gravis-like deal which responds in part to Myasthenia Gravis medicine. I realized that, until then, what’s best for me (and those around me) is just to keep moving forward, albeit at a slower physical pace. My brain still works fine, I love my work and life without my work would suck. I’ll just work a bit differently, with an added tool, my new walker, which I call The Schiit Wagon – and my unusual and ever-changing (ahem) vocal “accent.” But this whole distraction has been going on too long..

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Stay strong. We're rooting for you.

 

[Byronb]

Sending lots of positive energy your way!

 

[Alcophone]

I have been pretty weirdly sick.

Thank you for sharing, Mike! I hope this gets the attention of someone who has an idea of what might be the cause of all these nasty symptoms, and that you can be helped! Dr. House, you're needed in the Schiitr, stat.

 

[barondla]

Stay positive and keep moving forward Mike. There are lots of brilliant people out there and one will figure out how to cure this.

 

[JamminVMI]

Knowing is half the battle. We all wish you strength, health and happiness. Now get a Schiit logo sticker on that Schiit Wagon and keep on keepin’ on. Have a Grateful day!

 

[PioBeer]

Take good care Mike. We are all pulling for you.

 

[Ripper2860]

Thank you for sharing, Mike. I am sure that all here will keep you in their thoughts and send positive energy your way. As for me, I will do so and keep you in my prayers, as well.

 

[RickB]

Mike, I wish you the very best. Hopefully you will get a proper, full diagnosis ASAP and get the treatment needed. Stay strong, there are a lot of people who care about you.

 

[FLTWS]

Lots a crazy schiit in the jungles, swamps and rivers over there to deal with in Disneyland east, especially the bullets at the time. I know two Vietnam vets who struggle with physical / nerve related issues that have never been successfully diagnosed and treated to a recovery, they swear its got to be something to do with their tours over there. But who knows for certain, other schiit does happen if you live long enough.

Then there's the whole aging thing too.

"Golden Years" my ass.

 

[Les Strat]

Posting this everywhere I post:

It seems it has been some time since I have posted -- not because I didn’t want to, but more like I have been pretty weirdly sick. So here goes the narrative, in the proper style of the most polished of hypochondriacs. This started about ten years ago when I noticed some funny gait sensations when I walked. Within 3-4 years, I was morphing into a genuine gimp, but what the hell, I was still moving. Then the slurred speech started – I sounded like a drunk at 10 o’clock in the morning. Funny thing was, these symptoms would come and go.

So I went to the Doctor who solemnly intoned that I must have suffered a stroke (I was badly slurring when he examined me) and sent me out for a MRI. The MRI came back negative for a stroke. Puzzled, he examined me again. I asked about how this could be a stroke when all of these symptoms come and go. He diagnosed me with the IDKWTFYH Syndrome (I don’t know what the phuck you have). I worked around the limp and slur and attempted to ignore them. I settled into a bit of an interrupted routine, for example not showing up at trade show booths until I wasn’t slurring, and so on. Over the next few years, the on time for the slur was getting longer and longer, and all of a sudden I couldn’t button my buttons, write a check, or solder anymore. Besides all of that, my walking was getting worse and worse. However, all of this was still coming and going.

I stepped up to once more to Valencia’s best neurologist to see what he had to say. I was well examined to by an attending nuerologist who could not conceal his puzzlement. Once more I was diagnosed with IDKWTFYH Syndrome. A year or so ago I noticed that when I would attempt to type, a sort of “letter salad” would appear instead of my intended prose. I took solace in the notion that all those symptoms would soon pass, but it was taking longer for them to do so. Those who knew me well told me that my body motion was encumbered, but I did not listen.

Please allow this digression: In Vietnam we had a neuro-toxic snake called the Blue Krait. I witnessed one fellow soldier who was bitten. Within a few hours, his extremities were going numb. Within a day or so, his ability to walk was gone. He still could talk after a fashion, and his brain was 100% functional. Another day passed and he was only capable of slight eye motion and his muscles which enabled him to breathe failed that night – at least that’s what the medic said. That is one of my greatest fears – to be caught in a failing body fully awake and aware of everything as it slowly dies. I bring up the Blue Krait because a month or so ago, I woke up one morning and could neither walk nor talk. Scared the bejezus out of me. I was newly motivated!!

My poor wife Rosie had been trying to find more through and comprehensive medical attention. She opted for UCLA and we awaited an appointment, the first of which was a month or so ago. The neurologist examined me, gave me a tentative clinical diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare but treatable disorder. Diagnosis! She gave me medication for that but insisted, however, that I required specialized testing which could only be given and assessed by a Neuro-Muscular Junction Specialist. Further, the pills worked for some of the symptoms, particularly the low strength. It seemed like progress – until the labs came back with the result I was missing some Myasthenia Gravis antibodies in blood tests.

So, it seems as of now, I currently stand half diagnosed and until I see the next UCLA Neuro-Muscular specialist in two weeks, hoping for more specific data, I’ll settle on a Myasthenia Gravis-like deal which responds in part to Myasthenia Gravis medicine. I realized that, until then, what’s best for me (and those around me) is just to keep moving forward, albeit at a slower physical pace. My brain still works fine, I love my work and life without my work would suck. I’ll just work a bit differently, with an added tool, my new walker, which I call The Schiit Wagon – and my unusual and ever-changing (ahem) vocal “accent.” But this whole distraction has been going on too long..

Mike,

Thanks for sharing this news, at what must be a pretty scary time for you and your wife Rosie.
Along with many others on this forum, I sincerely hope that you soon get a full diagnosis beyond IDKWTFYH, and make a speedy recovery.

 

[JohnnyCanuck]

All the best to you Mike and best wishes for a speedy cure.

JC

 

[sam6550a]

Posting this everywhere I post:

It seems it has been some time since I have posted -- not because I didn’t want to, but more like I have been pretty weirdly sick. So here goes the narrative, in the proper style of the most polished of hypochondriacs. This started about ten years ago when I noticed some funny gait sensations when I walked. Within 3-4 years, I was morphing into a genuine gimp, but what the hell, I was still moving. Then the slurred speech started – I sounded like a drunk at 10 o’clock in the morning. Funny thing was, these symptoms would come and go.

So I went to the Doctor who solemnly intoned that I must have suffered a stroke (I was badly slurring when he examined me) and sent me out for a MRI. The MRI came back negative for a stroke. Puzzled, he examined me again. I asked about how this could be a stroke when all of these symptoms come and go. He diagnosed me with the IDKWTFYH Syndrome (I don’t know what the phuck you have). I worked around the limp and slur and attempted to ignore them. I settled into a bit of an interrupted routine, for example not showing up at trade show booths until I wasn’t slurring, and so on. Over the next few years, the on time for the slur was getting longer and longer, and all of a sudden I couldn’t button my buttons, write a check, or solder anymore. Besides all of that, my walking was getting worse and worse. However, all of this was still coming and going.

I stepped up to once more to Valencia’s best neurologist to see what he had to say. I was well examined to by an attending nuerologist who could not conceal his puzzlement. Once more I was diagnosed with IDKWTFYH Syndrome. A year or so ago I noticed that when I would attempt to type, a sort of “letter salad” would appear instead of my intended prose. I took solace in the notion that all those symptoms would soon pass, but it was taking longer for them to do so. Those who knew me well told me that my body motion was encumbered, but I did not listen.

Please allow this digression: In Vietnam we had a neuro-toxic snake called the Blue Krait. I witnessed one fellow soldier who was bitten. Within a few hours, his extremities were going numb. Within a day or so, his ability to walk was gone. He still could talk after a fashion, and his brain was 100% functional. Another day passed and he was only capable of slight eye motion and his muscles which enabled him to breathe failed that night – at least that’s what the medic said. That is one of my greatest fears – to be caught in a failing body fully awake and aware of everything as it slowly dies. I bring up the Blue Krait because a month or so ago, I woke up one morning and could neither walk nor talk. Scared the bejezus out of me. I was newly motivated!!

My poor wife Rosie had been trying to find more through and comprehensive medical attention. She opted for UCLA and we awaited an appointment, the first of which was a month or so ago. The neurologist examined me, gave me a tentative clinical diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare but treatable disorder. Diagnosis! She gave me medication for that but insisted, however, that I required specialized testing which could only be given and assessed by a Neuro-Muscular Junction Specialist. Further, the pills worked for some of the symptoms, particularly the low strength. It seemed like progress – until the labs came back with the result I was missing some Myasthenia Gravis antibodies in blood tests.

So, it seems as of now, I currently stand half diagnosed and until I see the next UCLA Neuro-Muscular specialist in two weeks, hoping for more specific data, I’ll settle on a Myasthenia Gravis-like deal which responds in part to Myasthenia Gravis medicine. I realized that, until then, what’s best for me (and those around me) is just to keep moving forward, albeit at a slower physical pace. My brain still works fine, I love my work and life without my work would suck. I’ll just work a bit differently, with an added tool, my new walker, which I call The Schiit Wagon – and my unusual and ever-changing (ahem) vocal “accent.” But this whole distraction has been going on too long..

Mike,
Best wishes for finding a diagnosis and implementing an effective treatment plan. Employing a physician that will listen to your concerns and communicate effectively is a key factor in avoiding the IDKWTFYH syndrome diagnosis. Stay positive and move ahead.

 

[Operaphile-]

That is some frustrating Shiit, Mike. Stay positive and know you’ve got us all pulling for you!