u/Able_While_974

Hi everyone.

I've been getting weaker for the past 3 years and have gone significantly downhill in the last 8 months. I've progressed from a walking stick, to a rollator and now a wheelchair.

I was fortunate to get an MRI and neurologist appointment quite quickly 2 years ago, but, as usual with the NHS, they seemed to only focus on one condition at a time. All they really did was say it's not MS, and as I have spinal stenosis that was the cause of the weakness. I am less and less convinced that the stenosis is the cause, but they wouldn't consider anything else. I eventually saw a sympathetic GP who admitted he didn't know what could be wrong and referred me back to neurology.

I've done a lot of research online around my symptoms and the closest fit is MG, although I don't have the eye problems. Just recently noticed food not going down, less able to fully open my jaw etc. The biggest thing for me is the weakness in legs, hips, arms, shoulders and neck.

I've finally got the appointment through for next month and I'd appreciate some pointers from you:

1. Obviously I don't want to go in saying I've diagnosed myself. Any advice on how I can broach it with the consultant without being dismissed? I expect we have all had experiences of not being listened to. I thought about writing my symptoms and daily patterns and handing them over.

2. I'm just wondering if big, stressful life events can lead to a sudden increase in symptoms. My dad went through a terminal illness last summer/autumn that almost exactly coincided with the start of my rapid decline. Am I overthinking or is there a real connection? If so, could mentioning that to the consultant help point him towards either MG or similar conditions?

3. I've read that there are various tests that can diagnose MG. Given the NHS financial position, should I be pushing for a specific test, or all of them?

Many thanks.

Stick with me on this. I hope i've described it well enough:

Does anyone else get suspicious when they hear the overuse of contrastive wording in creepypastas these days? I come across it so often that I think it must be a marker for using AI. The simplest example is:

"The creature emerged from the woods. Not walking, but running."

Ummm. OK. Not sure why it needed to be pointed out, but I'll accept it.

Other uses are either ridiculous or nonsensical, e.g.

"The creature emerged from the woods. Not chewing bubble gum; not doing a pirouette in a tutu, but running." I know that's an exaggerated example, but it gives the idea what I mean. The whole point of the "not" is to say "it's not what you were naturally assuming." You wouldn't be naturally assuming that the creature emerged from the woods chewing bubble gum and pirouetting in a tutu. Hence why i suspect the contribution of AI.

The thing that gets me most about this is that i notice it more and more in my favourite creators meaning I can no longer just enjoy a good story. Am I just overthinking or has anyone else noticed this?