01/07/26 Update

I saw the neurologist and according to him I do not have Multiple Sclerosis- despite what the doctor who ordered the MRI thought.

He did say my brain was "very mature for it's age" in less polite terms and that I have cerebrovascular disease, I've had several mini strokes in the past, and I'm at very high risk for a stroke and/or heart attack.

I cannot tell you how relieved I am to not have the MS diagnosis- this diagnosis doesn't explain all my symptoms and this doctor said he didn't see anything wrong with my spine whereas the doctor who ordered the MRI did. So, if I can, I'm going to ask for a third opinion on my MRIs- just to be safe.

In the meantime they've put me on six new prescriptions so hopefully I won't have another stroke. They've also given me some painkillers for my fibromyalgia since they don't think it's MS so hopefully that will help very soon because I'm still in pain pretty much constantly at the moment.

I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me! I hope I can thank you properly someday. I truly, sincerely don't know what I'd do without you all.

Update!

So! I finally got an MRI and have gotten the results- I have multiple lesions on my brain consistent with Multiple Sclerosis. I don't have an official diagnosis but I already have an appointment with the Neurologist in January. I was shocked and a little worried with how fast I was able to get the appointment actually.

While I am very relieved to finally have some tangible evidence that something is wrong I'm still in a lot of daily pain. I'm still having a lot of issues with my motor skills, and just in the last month I've fallen 4 times! The most recent fall gave me two black eyes and I nearly lost a tooth!

Needless to say, I'm currently unable to work. I can't even sit at my computer for more than 20-30 minutes without pain. And so I'm going to keep this fundraiser up for help with both groceries and my growing medical expenses. I do plan on speaking to someone about the possibility of getting on disability until I make my (hopefully speedy) recovery, but I need the official diagnosis first.

I cannot express enough how incredibly and sincerely grateful I am to everyone for helping me in this really scary and emotional time for me. Thank you all so, so much.

I will update as soon as I learn more!

For the past few months my health has been steadily deteriorating. I will try to avoid oversharing but I can physically no longer work. My hands and feet are weak and painful and sometimes even numb. I am in constant pain to the point of nausea at times. Just holding a pencil for too long leaves my hand aching and I've broken my phone screen and quite a few dishes from my weak grip.

I'm still battling the American Healthcare system to get some answers and some help! Even now I have to beg for any scrap of diagnostic testing I can get and they've canceled my last two in-office visits!

In the meantime I have depleted what tiny savings and I am just asking for any help to keep surviving and hopefully recovering so I can go back to drawing. I've been drawing since I was three and the past few weeks I have barely been able to sketch and I honestly it's been incredibly draining to my mental health and creative drive.

Thank you all for reading my rambling woes. I am not very good at asking for help but I am so incredibly grateful to have so many wonderful people surrounding me in the digital world.