justbreathing
06-14-2009, 01:10 PM
I was hoping someone could relieve my nervousness and tell me that MS is not as bad as I have been told.
I turned 40 in March. I am a single mom of a beautiful 14 year old daughter. I have suffered from severe migraine headaches for the past 3 years. My PCP has performed CT scans and tried many different medications Amtriptylin, Topomax, Imitrex, Maxsalt (Spelling may not be right.)
I had an MRI May 27, 2009, on my brain with contrast. My PCP advised there were abnormalities in the white matter. He thought possible Lyme Disease or MS. The test for Lyme Disease was negative. He referred me to a Neurologist. I saw the Neuro on June 10. The Neuro has scheduled an MRI on my brain stem and spinal cord for June 16. I have an EEG and two other provoked type tests on June 24.
Over the past 3 weeks my headaches have been dibilatating. I have many other systems that my PCP and Neuro believe to be possible MS symptons. Is it normal with MS to have such severe headaches? My neuro prescibed me Relpax instead of the Imitrex. She thought I had been taking the Imitrex too long.
I have been trying to learn as much as I can about this disease, if that is even what I have. Everyone on this message board seems to have alot of knowledge and I was hoping for some advice.
I turned 40 in March. I am a single mom of a beautiful 14 year old daughter. I have suffered from severe migraine headaches for the past 3 years. My PCP has performed CT scans and tried many different medications Amtriptylin, Topomax, Imitrex, Maxsalt (Spelling may not be right.)
I had an MRI May 27, 2009, on my brain with contrast. My PCP advised there were abnormalities in the white matter. He thought possible Lyme Disease or MS. The test for Lyme Disease was negative. He referred me to a Neurologist. I saw the Neuro on June 10. The Neuro has scheduled an MRI on my brain stem and spinal cord for June 16. I have an EEG and two other provoked type tests on June 24.
Over the past 3 weeks my headaches have been dibilatating. I have many other systems that my PCP and Neuro believe to be possible MS symptons. Is it normal with MS to have such severe headaches? My neuro prescibed me Relpax instead of the Imitrex. She thought I had been taking the Imitrex too long.
I have been trying to learn as much as I can about this disease, if that is even what I have. Everyone on this message board seems to have alot of knowledge and I was hoping for some advice.
Sponsor
MSJayhawk
06-14-2009, 08:43 PM
I will, in October, enter my 27th year of MS since my diagnosis (32 years since my first MS symptom). I have an 18 year old and a 10 year old. I plan to be around until the Lord takes me home.
MS affects each of us in different ways (many similar ways too). With a few lifestyle adjustments and attuning yourself to your body's triggers- what brings on your symptoms- you can have a blessed life. MS is not a "life-ender". If you allow MS to control you, then life is not fun.
The MSAA and the MS Society have information available to you. I know the MSAA has booklets available for you and one written from the viewpoint of your child.
Let not your heart be troubled. I will keep you in my prayers! :angel:
BTW, :wave: welcome to the boards!!
MS affects each of us in different ways (many similar ways too). With a few lifestyle adjustments and attuning yourself to your body's triggers- what brings on your symptoms- you can have a blessed life. MS is not a "life-ender". If you allow MS to control you, then life is not fun.
The MSAA and the MS Society have information available to you. I know the MSAA has booklets available for you and one written from the viewpoint of your child.
Let not your heart be troubled. I will keep you in my prayers! :angel:
BTW, :wave: welcome to the boards!!
MSNik
06-14-2009, 09:35 PM
Welcome to our board and try to relax....anxiety and stress will give you more migranes then anything else. MS can trigger migranes, but usually, once you relax and understand what is going on, those subside to a point. I still get one on occasion and use a nasal spray called Migranol, have you tried that? it works!
MS is very liveable. I was dx at the age of 38. Ive now had it for almost 4 years, although the doc thinks I had it ten years of better before being diagnosed. I am the stepmother of 3- they live with me. I deal with a lunatic husband and his lunatic exwife on a daily basis. I work a very stressful 50 hour a week job as a director for a major company. I finished my MBA the month I was starting diagnosis tests, and have started my second graduate degree in the last 6 months. I exercise, keep a house, run 3 kids around, grocery shop, am primary pet keeper, cleaner and manage to take care of myself and my health needs too!
Sounds like the tests you are scheduled to have are right on target....they should be telling. However, I would question the Lyme test. Ask where the blood was sent. If it wasnt sent to a Lyme specific lab (such as Igenex) then ask if it can be re-sent. There are more false negatives with Lyme disease then any other disease known. Very few people who have Lymes test positive the first time....so ask.
MS is diagnosed by ruling out everything else. White matter on the brain can be ANYTHING!n Even from the migranes you have suffered. A good MS specialist can tell by looking at the MRI lesions, if they are the proper placement, size and shape for MS....so dont jump to conclusions yet. But, if it is MS, you have come to the right place...we will all help answer your questions and walk you thru it.
Your beautiful daughter is not in jepordy of losing her mom- as long as you remain positive and focused...this diseas does affect all of us differently, however, everyone here is living a normal fulfilling life, almost all of us are parents and we all manage just fine despite our disease!
Ask and we shall answer.....good luck to you and hang tough. Nothing has to change for you.
Hugs
Nikki
MS is very liveable. I was dx at the age of 38. Ive now had it for almost 4 years, although the doc thinks I had it ten years of better before being diagnosed. I am the stepmother of 3- they live with me. I deal with a lunatic husband and his lunatic exwife on a daily basis. I work a very stressful 50 hour a week job as a director for a major company. I finished my MBA the month I was starting diagnosis tests, and have started my second graduate degree in the last 6 months. I exercise, keep a house, run 3 kids around, grocery shop, am primary pet keeper, cleaner and manage to take care of myself and my health needs too!
Sounds like the tests you are scheduled to have are right on target....they should be telling. However, I would question the Lyme test. Ask where the blood was sent. If it wasnt sent to a Lyme specific lab (such as Igenex) then ask if it can be re-sent. There are more false negatives with Lyme disease then any other disease known. Very few people who have Lymes test positive the first time....so ask.
MS is diagnosed by ruling out everything else. White matter on the brain can be ANYTHING!n Even from the migranes you have suffered. A good MS specialist can tell by looking at the MRI lesions, if they are the proper placement, size and shape for MS....so dont jump to conclusions yet. But, if it is MS, you have come to the right place...we will all help answer your questions and walk you thru it.
Your beautiful daughter is not in jepordy of losing her mom- as long as you remain positive and focused...this diseas does affect all of us differently, however, everyone here is living a normal fulfilling life, almost all of us are parents and we all manage just fine despite our disease!
Ask and we shall answer.....good luck to you and hang tough. Nothing has to change for you.
Hugs
Nikki