To the GP: first neurological exam, June 13th 2005

On the Monday, the GP did my first neurological examination, although I didn't know that was what it was.

I was unable to walk far in a straight line on my way to the surgery, but I had an hour's wait to be seen, in which I recovered a little. The doctor asked me to walk in a straight line heel-to-toe. I could.
He asked me to touch his pen then the tip of my nose, first with the left hand then the right. I could, although I had to concentrate.

I cannot remember now what else he asked, but I could do all of his tests, if a little awkwardly. He told me he would refer me to a neurologist. He told me to come back if I got worse. I had to tell him I didn't think I should be at work (in the lab, or on a chemical plant, or up ladders, or on roofs etc). He said if I didn'think I should be there I should take a few days off! I arranged with my employer to attend a training course arranged for the next day.

Later on I found talking difficult, and I noticed that my speech was sounding a little slurred, but my partner didn't think so.

On the Tuesday, I went off to my training course, still having problems walking. I found it difficult to understand, and by this time I couldn't write at all with my right hand, so I put a lot of effort into trying to write with the other hand. It was getting more and more difficult to speak, I was slurring and I was absolutely k****ered. Getting home was a huge ordeal.

Symptoms:

• very poor coordination (right hand, arm, leg only)
• problems thinking straight
• difficulty thinking at all
• speech difficulty (obvious slurring, slow speech)
• tiredness