Gracie
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2007
- Messages
- 63
- Diagnosis
- 09/2007
- Country
- US
- State
- PA
- City
- Altoona
Finally had second opinion at UPMC Pittsburgh with a top notch neuro. First diagnosis was PLS in September 2007 from neuro near our home. We were told if all testing (which was very extensive) proved negative here then he would like us to go to Pittsburgh for second opinion at UPMC. The neuro in Pittsburgh was extremely thorough and we liked him very much as well as respected his credentials as this man appears to be brilliant and devotes much of his life to ALS/PLS research. After an extensive physical examination and review of all blood testing, MRI films and reports, spinal taps and brain scans he told us that he has been in this profession for twenty years and has only seen two true cases of PLS. He of course ordered more testing, Zinc & copper levels, CT Scan of the chest and another Cervical MRI of the spine. This doctor does not eliminate MS but requested another brain scan to be completed in a month or so. To date we have been searching for an answer for fourteen months with top notch physicians in our town as well as Pittsburgh and still we have no answers. My husbands condition continues to spiral and we are truly in the medical twilight zone. All the new tests are not in yet and I am not a betting women but I'll bet we aren't even close to an answer yet. The UPMC physician said you have to have PLS for four years before it is a true diagnosis and I think that is what they label your condition with when they just don't have an answer.