There are others ways to check for infection then MRI's. Some infections that can cause symptoms in the brain don't even show up on MRI's. But the bloodwork and any other type of testing they do can l show infection. And there are different types of "MRI's" too. Some are more detailed then others for the brain.

I'm not saying you don't need an MRI. I'm just saying that there are other things they can do IN ADDITION to that.

Perhaps I'm not remembering correctly, but I thought some months past you posted and said that you felt like you'd had some type of seizure. You said that's what it felt like anyway. I'm sorry I don't remember when you posted that!

Tell the doctors your symptoms and let them decide what tests they think need to be run. See what they do with it all. Ask questions along the way.

If you tell the doctors that you feel that all of your symptoms are from your mercury exposure then you might not find out whether there is anything else going on.

Doctors can be very difficult to deal with, I know. They can make incorrect assumptions and poor judgements about us that are not true. Sometimes if we try to leave diagnosis possibilities open this can cause a doctor to rise to the occasion and do a fabulous job. Other times we're just left diasppointed. But I think it's worth trying right now, don't you?

Perhaps you could mention the mercury exposure but say, "I'm wondering if there is something else that is causing these symptoms. What else could this be?" That way you are giving them information but not telling them which diagnostic path you think they should remain on.

I feel just like you, Jinx, about doctors. I don't like them very much because I have been let down by them many, many times. I just felt that your symptoms warranted being evaluated again in case you had something urgent that needed treatment.

If you decide not to go that route and not to go to the hospital then there are other types of doctors you can try to get help with. Those Lyme Literate Doctors can be helpful in evaluating infections, for example.

It's too bad that it takes so much work for us to get answers and help. It shouldn't have to be this way. And those of us that need the MOST help are the people who are the MOST ill. Feeling so sick and having to work so damn hard to get diagnoses, help and treatment at a time when we're lease capable of handling the job.

It's not fair and it shouldn't be this way. But no one is going to be as passionate about your health as you are.

Anyway, I don't want to complicate things for you, my friend.

These are just suggestions. You do what you think is best.

And let us know how you get on, ok?!

Sharon

p.s. Yes, I'd tell them that you've had cognitive problems. Cognitive problems can be caused by lots of things, including infection.

p.s.s. They might already know about the previous MRI. But I don't think they are relevant today. You want a new start for diagnosis. If that means they start all over again with testing and looking at you then all the better.

You are not crazy and you don't need psychiatric help. There is something causing these symptoms in you. I just thought it would be worth ruling out infection, that's all.