How do I know when to go to the hospital to look for help?

[stardust]

My left leg is getting worse and the numbness has been slowly getting worse and creeping up my leg and on to my other foot. This has been since Thursday and today is Sunday. I want to wait to see if it goes away. Any suggestions?

[agate]

Welcome back, stardust. It's too bad you've been having this problem. In an earlier post you mentioned degenerative disk disease. Maybe the numbness is connected with that?

Are you still homeless? How did the appeal turn out?

It's hard to reply to your question about when to go to a hospital because you haven't said very much about your situation. If you have no doctor and no way of getting to see one, a hospital may be the only option for you. But if you have a doctor and can get an appointment soon, you might get better care than at a hospital ER.

But if the numbness is progressing so alarmingly that you're likely to lose the use of your legs, I'd say you should go to a hospital ER soon.

Do you have a walker or wheelchair or cane or any other mobility aid you can use in the meantime?

If you've been diagnosed with MS, the local chapter of the National MS Society might be willing to help you. They could refer you to a doctor, and they often can provide medical equipment on loan at no cost to you.

I've had leg problems like yours, and mine do go away if I wait it out, but it's still something a doctor needs to look into. I hope you can see a doctor soon.

[Gary]

There are several things besides MS that can cause your Sx. Some are minor and some can be serious. We tend to blame everything on MS and that can lead to even more problems.

I, too wondered how you made out with your appeal?

I would think about Agate's advise it is right on the spot.

Good luck and glad to see you back please keep us posted.

[Barque]

Gee sd. I hope you don't live in my area. The hospital here does absolutely NOTHING for you. They just run through their expensive diagnostic machine routine then send you on your way.

AND the fact that you are homeless. I can't believe our government isn't doing something for you. I'll pray for you and all others like you. This is a disgrace. I'm ashamed of America letting these kinds of things happen to their citizens.

[Gary]

I just reread this post. I think that in the beginning MS causes you to run to the ER or doc with everything . As time goes by you tend to let things slide and ignore Sx. Whether or not they are MS caused I find that I do exactly that. You should call the ER or a nurse or you ins company if they have a nurse. My bench mark is now if my wife or daughter says go I go. By the time that I get to the point that my family says go I am past the point of making a decision.

[Barque]

Can a homeless person HAVE insurance?

[houghchrst]

Barque where I am if you are homeless and apply for state aid they produce an address for you. Use to be that if you didn't have a home and couldn't get your mail then you were screwed.

Star I can just imagine what the waiting room would be like on a holiday weekend but if it is getting worse I would go to the ER. Like they said you never know what could be causing it. I hope you get some help soon.