TxRR
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 164
- Reason
- DX UMND/PLS
- Diagnosis
- 01/2007
- Country
- US
- State
- tx
- City
- Houston
My name is Rob and I am 35 yrs old, married and father of three teenage daughters. I was diagnosed with PLS in early 2007 by Dr. Appel. My story begins in 2003. I had back surgery to correct a herniated disc. I had no signs or symptoms of PLS at this point (atleast that I was aware of). My back surgery was a very traumatic experience. I was in alot of pain and suffering. After my back surgery, my friends started making fun of the way I walked and moved. They called me the "Tin Man" and "Robot". I figured this was just a result of an unsuccessful back surgery.
One day, my wife injured her knee and went to see the same orthopedic surgeon that did my back surgery. She ended up having knee surgery and I went with her to a post surgery follow up visit. During the visit the doctor asked me how I was doing. I told him how my friends were making fun of me and that I was still in alot of pain. The doctor asked me to walk down the hallway which I did. He too noticed my gait was off. He checked my reflexes and ran a pen down the bottom of my foot. He told me my reflexes were very brisk and my foot turned upward instead of downward which usually indicates nerve disease. I didn't have any of these symptoms before and recommended that I see a neurologist right away. I was really scared at this point because the doctor had a look on his face like he just saw a ghost.
The first neurologist I saw said I was fine and that some people just have brisk reflexes. I called my ortho and told him this. He about fell out of his chair and told me to go to another neurologist right away. The second neuro acknowledged there was something wrong and by that afternoon I was having three hours worth of MRI's being done. A couple of days later I get a call from the doctor’s office saying they needed to do an MRA. They would not give me any details on what was going on. I ended up leaving this doctor because he would not give me the results of any of the tests he was performing. He kept telling me to wait until the end.
Finally, I went to the third neuro who ended up being the best one. He diagnosed me with PLS and referred me to Dr. Appel for a second opinion. Dr. Appel agreed with the original PLS diagnosis.
My main problem is with my legs. I have all the classic symptoms and it feels like they weigh 300 lbs.
Here's the kicker...I am a police officer and have been for the past 15 years. Luckily, I patrol in a very upscale area with not alot of crime. I know the day is coming if not already here when I am going to have to quit my job. I don't have a degree or any other skills which makes finding another equally paying job very difficult.
I still hit the gym four times a week and can bench press 285 lbs. and preacher curl 120 lbs. I spend an hour on legs doing the treadmill, elliptical, bicycle leg lifts (front and back) and calf raises. I spend two hours on upper body going hard core. You probably couldn't tell by looking at me that I'm ill. I seem to keep up pretty well with young healthy guys.
I don't have any regrets in my life other than the timing of this disease. I have two honor roll daughters headed for college. My wife and I purchased a very expensive two story home about 4 years ago. It will not sell for what's its worth in this dying housing market. We have three car payments, credit cards etc, etc... My wife and I are facing financial ruins if I can't work anymore.
I just wish if it was God's will for me to have this disease to atleast give it to me before we went and made such expensive purchases.
Also, from what I have read, the chances of getting this disease are slim to none. Those are about the same odds of winning the lottery therefore, we all ought to be buying lottery tickets.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm glad there’s a forum like this where I can vent my frustrations with people that understand.
One day, my wife injured her knee and went to see the same orthopedic surgeon that did my back surgery. She ended up having knee surgery and I went with her to a post surgery follow up visit. During the visit the doctor asked me how I was doing. I told him how my friends were making fun of me and that I was still in alot of pain. The doctor asked me to walk down the hallway which I did. He too noticed my gait was off. He checked my reflexes and ran a pen down the bottom of my foot. He told me my reflexes were very brisk and my foot turned upward instead of downward which usually indicates nerve disease. I didn't have any of these symptoms before and recommended that I see a neurologist right away. I was really scared at this point because the doctor had a look on his face like he just saw a ghost.
The first neurologist I saw said I was fine and that some people just have brisk reflexes. I called my ortho and told him this. He about fell out of his chair and told me to go to another neurologist right away. The second neuro acknowledged there was something wrong and by that afternoon I was having three hours worth of MRI's being done. A couple of days later I get a call from the doctor’s office saying they needed to do an MRA. They would not give me any details on what was going on. I ended up leaving this doctor because he would not give me the results of any of the tests he was performing. He kept telling me to wait until the end.
Finally, I went to the third neuro who ended up being the best one. He diagnosed me with PLS and referred me to Dr. Appel for a second opinion. Dr. Appel agreed with the original PLS diagnosis.
My main problem is with my legs. I have all the classic symptoms and it feels like they weigh 300 lbs.
Here's the kicker...I am a police officer and have been for the past 15 years. Luckily, I patrol in a very upscale area with not alot of crime. I know the day is coming if not already here when I am going to have to quit my job. I don't have a degree or any other skills which makes finding another equally paying job very difficult.
I still hit the gym four times a week and can bench press 285 lbs. and preacher curl 120 lbs. I spend an hour on legs doing the treadmill, elliptical, bicycle leg lifts (front and back) and calf raises. I spend two hours on upper body going hard core. You probably couldn't tell by looking at me that I'm ill. I seem to keep up pretty well with young healthy guys.
I don't have any regrets in my life other than the timing of this disease. I have two honor roll daughters headed for college. My wife and I purchased a very expensive two story home about 4 years ago. It will not sell for what's its worth in this dying housing market. We have three car payments, credit cards etc, etc... My wife and I are facing financial ruins if I can't work anymore.
I just wish if it was God's will for me to have this disease to atleast give it to me before we went and made such expensive purchases.
Also, from what I have read, the chances of getting this disease are slim to none. Those are about the same odds of winning the lottery therefore, we all ought to be buying lottery tickets.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm glad there’s a forum like this where I can vent my frustrations with people that understand.