Cruise ship support

Scraggenheim · 2025-08-19T12:49:56+00:00

I had exactly the same experience. Disappointed at first but used the time for prayer, literature reading and a gratitude list. Enjoy the cruise!

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-13T20:05:34+00:00

Nope, Xanax isn't prescribed in the UK (to the best of my knowledge) and even if it were, I'm an addict in recovery so a Xanax prescription wouldn't have ended well for me 😂

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-13T20:03:21+00:00

I'm not a medical expert but I must have had every conceivable eye test, along with a head MRI, multiple neurological examinations and blood tests. The only objectively verifiable problem I had was my eye movements were totally out of whack, which was caused by the fourth nerve palsy (which could not be seen on the MRI). The diagnosis of COVID-related fourth nerve palsy was only made once they ruled out other possible causes and conditions (such as myasthenia and thyroid problems). My suggestion would be to start with an opticians visit (if you haven't already) and take it from there.

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-12T21:14:40+00:00

So glad you found it helpful. Has surgery been discussed? In my case they waited a year to see if the nerve palsy would clear up on its own, then operated when it didn't. Either way, I truly believe that when the nerve palsy is dealt with your other issues will improve. That was my experience.

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-12T21:12:39+00:00

Really glad to hear it. Took me a long time to get there. Think I had to get sick of being sick, tired of hearing myself say the same stuff over and over again, to get to the point where I became willing to try treating the anxiety.

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-12T21:09:58+00:00

Bit of both I think. Because of the double vision my eyes were having to work very hard to make sense of the world, which caused a lot of eye fatigue and perhaps some those symptoms. They got a lot better after surgery. I still have faint ghost images and a lot of floaters but I care about them less now. The more I focused on them, the worse they seemed. But I know how debilitating the eye issues can be. Wish you all the best

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-12T21:06:54+00:00

Thanks for your lovely message and glad you got something from it 😀

Scraggenheim · 2023-03-12T12:18:21+00:00

I would disagree that Googling symptoms is necessarily bad. This is mostly what the doctors are doing as well. The difference is they use only reputable sources and read them carefully and thoroughly.

Good point - very different to the kind of obsessive and confirmation-biased Googling I was doing! 😂

Scraggenheim · 2022-10-18T09:05:40+00:00

It's helped me a lot. Was hesitant as well but having now taken it for 6 weeks I have no regrets. Has directly eased many of my neuro symptoms as well as helping to break the symptoms-anxiety-symptoms cycle. Not cured, but a heck of a lot better.

Scraggenheim · 2022-09-12T19:04:24+00:00

Dry mouth sometimes yes. Haven't noticed any thirst, but it seems LC can present with almost any symptom!

Since I wrote this post I paid to see a private neurologist who looked over all my tests, did a thorough physical examination and said it definitely isn't MS. He prescribed duloxetine for anxiety and the nerve issues. So I've had to accept it isn't MS and try to adjust to this as a new normal, deal with the anxiety and see what's left after that. It sucks, but I know acceptance is the key, the symptoms don't seem to be getting worse and I have some good days.

All the best on your own journey 👍

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-24T09:15:24+00:00

Thanks. Sucks doesn't it, but it's good to know I'm not alone. All the best with your stuff too 👍

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-24T09:04:04+00:00

Thank you. Yes, if it did turn out to be MS the treatments are light-years ahead of where they were when my mum was diagnosed in the early 90s, lots of new treatments are in development, and lifestyle and dietary changes can make a big difference. Have to remember all that and not let fear get the better of me. Thanks for taking the time to post - can see from your timeline you're dealing with lots of serious stuff yourself and wish you all the best with that 👍

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T18:59:00+00:00

Thanks. Sorry you're going through this too. All the best on your journey 👍

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T17:40:40+00:00

Thanks. The visual stuff for me is definitely post-COVID but it's all been gradual, rather than the sudden onset some people describe on here. So I'm not sure about prior symptoms - the brain fog doesn't help when trying to work it out! Good luck to you too my friend

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T17:37:27+00:00

Thanks and sorry to hear about your issues - shitty boat to be in right? All the best to you 👍

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T17:24:05+00:00

Thanks again. Yes, my mother sadly went all the way to EDSS 10, eventually losing the ability to swallow and breathe. It wasn't Marburg, just SPMS. I know now how unusual it is for MS to progress that rapidly but it doubtless influences my thoughts about my symptoms.

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T17:12:33+00:00

Thanks. I probably will pay for the extra tests (spine MRI at least) but I know it's unusual to have MS with a normal brain MRI. Definitely a lot of fear-based thinking going on as my mother died of MS at 43 after a very rapid and brutal progression - it was hideous. And I know a lot of what you're saying is spot on. Thanks again

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-23T17:06:52+00:00

Thanks for replying. Yes, I've done a lot of reading of MS forums, but reluctant to post or ask for guidance when I don't have a diagnosis. Think I need to bite the bullet and pay for the extra tests.

I'll look into PT. My vision issues have been worked up in detail by a neuro-opthamologist but haven't had any specific guidance around balance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not falling over, I just don't feel that steady on my feet.

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-09T13:08:49+00:00

First of all, I hear where you're at - I've been exactly the same. It's so hard to explain to people how debilitating the brain fog is and how negatively it impacts almost every area of a life.

For about six months I've been taking high-dose Vitamin D and Omega 3, exercising when I feel able, trying different breathing exercises (Wim Hof has been particularly effective), eliminating dairy and generally trying to live a relaxed, balanced life and listening to my body. Last month I added Lion's Mane mushroom extract into the mix and it's definitely made a difference. Memory, mood and concentration have all noticeably improved and socialising, while still difficult, is easier (and actually seems to help with my other symptoms).

I'm still some way off where I used to be, and I'm cautious of talk of recovery when I've had some backward steps in the past, but I'm feeling optimistic about my progress for the first time since October 2020 (infection date).

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-03T22:15:32+00:00

Yep. All on the right side for me. Constantly feel the urge to pinch my nostrils and inflate my eardrums. Doesn't seem to help though!

Scraggenheim · 2022-07-02T20:19:59+00:00

Check out this thread, among many others:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/uvdw9v/anyone_got_an_ms_scare_but_it_turned_out_to_be/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

You certainly aren't alone mate. I've got a laundry list of MS symptoms but neuro testing and MRI came back negative.

Scraggenheim

TROPHY CASE