Just Diagnosed... - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Moussie21 · 07-26-2005, 09:30 AM

Hi Everyone, This is my first time writing here. I have been reading posts from everyone for the past few months though. I am a 32 yr.old female who was positively diagnosed last week at the Cleveland Clinic. I have had several symptoms for the past year, but never put 2 and 2 together. I work as a Corrections Officer at the Sheriff's Dept. and just figured my body was wore out at times from stress. Back in Jan. myself and 3 others went on a trip where I did most of the driving, and I came back completely exhausted. I couldn't even get off the couch to take a shower, I was that drained. Then a few weeks later, I went on another trip, where I was completely sick the whole time I was gone. (It gets better,

..on the 2nd day back from vacation, I was in a car accident (not my fault), that totaled my car. I now am thankful that I had the car accident. Because of it, I had an eye injury in which they ended up doing a Cat Scan, which showed abnormal results. That led to an MRI which ended in the same results. So, from there it was the "snowball" effect..Spinal Tap, more MRI's, etc....Final result, I now know what I have. I go see my Neurologist tomorrow to get my medication/information. I think I am still in shock. I have always had good coordination skills, but earlier this month while playing softball with friends and family, (I was pitching) and I couldn't hold on to the ball at times. I seem more forgetful at times, and when I try to go to sleep at night my body feels like it is still going. I guess I can kind of understand what a person withdrawing from drugs feels like. Once I get the medication started will these symptoms go away?? I've already had both feet go numb back in Oct. (lasted about 2 weeks), and in April, 1/2 my face went numb for about 2 months. Not to mention the headaches I have each and every day. Totally weird. Is this what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life?? ANY information/or past experiences will be GREATLY appreciated. Sorry for the long book, ...Thanks for listening...Good luck to everyone

beachlover247 · 07-26-2005, 09:47 AM

Dear Just Diagnosed,

Please read the reply that I just sent to Curious11. It's kind of hard for me to type right now. I feel your shock and fear....went through it myself. Hang in there. Honestly, there could be worse diagnoses..at least we have medicines now that can delay the disease....hopefully. Keep praying that there's a cure around the corner!!!

Or at least and oral medicine!!!

djpihavems · 07-26-2005, 09:49 AM

Hi there,
The disease behaves so differently in everyone, that it is difficult to say what you should expect. Did your doctor go through a thorough medical history with you? Think back through your life, and try to remember any other episodes that may have been MS related. Generally, the disease behaves throughout your life the same as it does in its first five years of activity. So, if you can pinpoint symptoms further back than five years, you can have a good idea of how the disease will progress.

tiarah · 07-26-2005, 10:33 AM

Hi, I'm in the process I hope of a diagnosis. I myself had accidental findings because ear pain. Had an MRI showed abnormalities and now am able to relate the symptoms that I have been having for years to MS. I always came up with excuses for them, I am great at self diagnosing myself. What was the process that you went through for a final diagoses? I had an MRI with and without contrast which revealed "small white matter changes with demyelination". I see the neurologist on August 4 so right now I am in limbo. Please let me know what you did in order for your final diagoses. THanks.

JulieDe · 07-26-2005, 10:43 AM

tirah, I was 33 when I was dx last September. My symptoms began as numbness in my pelvic region (bizarre feeling) and tingling in my feet. Those started in May 2004 and had 4 MRI's and an evoked pot test. There was one spot on my spine and the brain MRI was "consistent with the diagnosis of MS." Love how they phrase that. I've been on Avonex since Oct and haven't had any progression or relapses. I only have some remaining tingling. Hang in there. I certainly hope I won't be injecting for the rest of my life.