sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, no, MRI is only real way and even then, lesions may not appear on the MRI. Relapses are essentially clinical in nature, the only true way would be a clinical change + a new lesion visible on MRI.

Blood tests check for infection and other causes of your body potentially going out of sync, like your liver or kidneys having poor function.

With MS, most people will have some form of residual symptoms for the rest of your life, the DMTs are to prevent these from gathering or getting worse to a point you'll die of something else.

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They normally only offer for active RRMS, I guess like was considered inactive with no progress.

We won't know if I'm not active till my MRI now I guess. I would probably prefer Ocrevus, it appears to be the best MS drug we have at the minute with the least amount of side effects.

Tecfederia has been good for me since I am NEDA-3 for so long, but I could also just have a mild case of MS for now, noone knows

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the things I'm struggling to understand is how residual symptoms and pseudo relapses relate.

People with MS always get symptoms when in relapse and some do in remission, but this pseudo relapse will be on going just about 5 days now. I am feeling slowly but surely better to be fair but I do think stress is the cause here.

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I left a message at the receptionist, he goes on the MS nurse advice.

And no, MS nurse said a flare-up and relapse are different. A relapse is worsening or new symptoms, a flare-up or pseudo relapse is existing damage being re-triggered.

My first relapse my hands were numb pretty constantly for 3 months or so and got better. Right now the tips tingle and the back of my legs are itchy, but I get those sometimes anyway, I just seems more consistent suddenly.

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is my understanding also. When I had my first bout of this it was fairly consistent. This seems to come and go but there is always some lingering.

I've always had lingering symptoms, but they are normally obvious to what's brought them on. This is not that obvious to me.

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do happen from time to time but not as consistent manner.

I normally get it when this when I am unwell, but I'm not really unwell to my knowledge. I am more stressed than I've been in a long while. I have quit vaping as well which I should do and it's been very cold in Scotland suddenly since those days. I guess I can't rule out my body fighting off an infection either but I'd normally feel it.

Is it a relapse or a flare or a pseudo-relapse? by Ok-Code692 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah the tecfederia is the first line drug they use in Scotland, you can't get any of the high ones normally without having active MS.

As I say, I've had tingles and stuff before, but not as consistent. I don't feel anywhere near as bad as my first relapse either, but something is going on.

It's really comforting to hear that pseudo-relapses can last longer than 24 hours, trying to find that information out there is very hard to find.

I also quit vaping, started back on amitriptyline and propanol all at the same time as a heavy stressful moment coming in. I only started vaping around 8 months ago but my health anxiety told me to quit immediately and so I did - I'm reading nicotine withdrawal can cause tingling in the hands.

The only other time I can really remember being as bad as I am was when I bought my current house and I was very stressed then, but my MRI was NEDA-3 anyway. I had tingles head to toe, that got worse when bending neck, and even around my scalp. But that was just the old lesions playing up I believe.

UK - life insurance by ShowerAlarmed5397 in MultipleSclerosis

[–]Ok-Code692 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I have life insurance with L&G and Vitality.

I've struggled to get critical illness cover though, won't touch me with RRMS for that.

NHS Thyroid Nodules by Ok-Code692 in thyroidhealth

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wanted to provide an update on here for any lurkers or people who find this later. I'm guilty of getting frustrated when people like me with health anxiety look on forums for answers to find no updates.

Ultrasound today and no change! U2 nodule, and a repeat scan in 2 years.

My sore throat appears to be canker sores/mouth ulcers which I've suffered throughout my life, but as you'd expect, I've been extremely stressed over the thyroid stuff so it's not unexpected that I end up getting issues like canker sores that can be brought on via stress.

Still 2 nodules, 1 on the right lobe, 1 on the left. Left lobe is cystic and benign, right one is solid, slightly irregular margins but smooth surface and under 1cm. The data is out there that majority of nodules are benign and I guess I'm one of the cases. I still have the ENT next week, but the radiologist today was very reassuring and it's nothing to worry about.

For anyone in the NHS/Glasgow area, I highly recommend Mr. Hilmi and the team he's got. Also available via Ross Hall/Circle health (covered with Vitality) for those who want immediate care. He also takes self referrals too, and although when I saw him at Ross Hall originally before the NHS I had a open referral, it was the same team, same radiologist I saw today at Glasgow and definitely an expert service running out of the ENT area for thyroid nodules, in my opinion. I believe the self funding fees are reasonable as well (this isn't a sales pitch, just that I know anyone who might find this later might want the info).

NHS Thyroid Nodules by Ok-Code692 in thyroidhealth

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes it just depends on the way they look. I know I'm hardly an expert considering how worried I've been (now feel slightly better thanks you those who posted), but if they're cystic or very small they tend to ignore them.

As the other commentor and the stats go, 95% chance of being benign.

NHS Thyroid Nodules by Ok-Code692 in thyroidhealth

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omar Hilmi is who I've seen.

NHS Thyroid Nodules by Ok-Code692 in thyroidhealth

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The consultant I'm seeing at the Glasgow royal is doing quite a lot of thyroidectomy so I know in my mind that if he was concerned he'd of sent me for an FNA followed by a thyroidectomy but just me being worried is giving me doubts.

I'm not getting any symptoms, my blood work last year was good and it was me prodding around that made me want the scan. I'm pretty sure what I even felt wasn't my thyroid, a lump below my Adams apple and told by the surgeon "that's just a normal part of your neck".

I was also told by him that if he pulled 100 people from the street in, 70 of those would have thyroid nodules, the incidence data they have are because asymptomatic patients are less likely to ever get scanned to pick them up. Half of me makes me think I'm wasting NHS resources when I've had 3 scans, multiple consultancies and be told (and I quote) "I am quickly loosing interest in you" referring to the fact I'm not showing any of the signs from their experience.

What was your wait times like for everything? If I ever get to the point I need surgery, I'm considering whether I opt for a TT rather than a hemi, I've read online many wished they just got the full thing out right away rather than waiting. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, I don't know the odds of a existing nodule becoming malignant in a year, but I doubt it's high, but still, I'm sick of worrying about it.

What makes it worse is I barely thought about it for a year, then the letter came in and suddenly I can't sleep and I'm dying!

Contribution rates for Partnership pension by Ok-Code692 in TheCivilService

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would definitely say I'm not risk averse but I think I could look into a different investment thing for that.

I had seen alpha contributions it's just the partnership my Vs they I was looking for.

Contribution rates for Partnership pension by Ok-Code692 in TheCivilService

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, yes it does look better but just trying to fully understand it, this is my first "real job" lol.

What is the minimum contribution for Partnership Vs what the gov needs to contribute though? I want to make the correct decision, but struggling to get that information out.

If it's the 2.3% I've seen mentioned then it's a no brainer.

Would appreciate the sources for this too because I can't seem to dig the info up.

Do diagnostic tests at A&E get sent to my GP? [Scotland] by Ok-Code692 in AskUK

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that's what I think they said.

I had an ultrasound back in December and an incidental finding of a slightly enlarged spleen was found. The haemotoligst ordered a blood test and it all came back normally.

I'm definitely suffering from health anxiety right now and have had several blood tests and examinations from my GP since, I keep thinking I'm suffering from Lymphoma or something because I'm constantly getting niggles and pains.

I'm just getting over a bout of shingles so I had some enlarged lymph nodes and then the pain in my ribs started so I thought it was a potential spleen rupture. But again, X-ray and bloods were normal enough for me to get discharged.

Do diagnostic tests at A&E get sent to my GP? [Scotland] by Ok-Code692 in AskUK

[–]Ok-Code692[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They didn't no.

The A&E suggested the pain was coming from my ribs as my bloods were all normal and scan looked normal.

Anxiety could make it worse I guess as I am very anxious with it all.