I'm new here! Replies appreciated! - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

kateuk · 06-27-2002, 06:24 PM

Hi everyone - I'm new here so bear with me. Basically, I'd been feeling weird for about 2 years. I visited my doctor many times only to be told it was anxiety or stress. Then when I finally couldn't walk properly from dizziness/weird vision/tiredness etc he referred me to a neurologist. I haven't even mentioned the tingling, numbness and the feeling that "someone is climbing up my spine"! On my first visit to the N (neuro) I could tell he suspected something as he immediately sent me for an MRI/LP etc. The 2 MRI's came back pretty clean
but he said he had ruled everything else out and had come to the conclusion I had MS - I had failed the Babinski's Test (Info about that?) and my evoked tests - whatever they are. I told my husband and certain members of my family but then my mother-in-law (who I have never got on with) phoned everyone ti tell them. Not cool. But then it get's worse. She actually phonrd my husband and asked him if I really had this?!!!!! She had come over a few days earlier and seen me cleaning the floor - what am I supposed to do - lie in bed with the covers over my head.? But the thing that bothers me so much is that she could dare even say that - and to my husband! I've been diagnosed with MS and she's second guessing everything. I mean, I know she hates me, but surely there is a limit?

F-Man · 06-28-2002, 11:38 AM

The babinski test involves dragging a pointed instrument along the sole of your foot and seeing the flex reaction. somewhat similar to when the doctor taps your knee with a mallot. If you do a search in babinski you'll find a description.

I was diagnosed 8 years ago, and took both the video and audio evoked response tests. I think the way they work is that your are given video and audio stimulus, and somehow they are able to measure how it is processed through your nervous system. If it is processed slowly or intermittantly, then that is an indication of nerve damage. It doesn't necessarily mean MS, but means your nervous system is not functioning properly.

As far as your mother in law goes, if she hates you then there may be no limit to what she will say/do. MS symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient and can also vary from month to month, day to day, even hour to hour for a single person. If she is not willing to talk openly and honestly with you and do research on her own about MS, then dealing with her is going to be difficult I would think.

hope some of this helped.

skan881 · 07-01-2002, 01:22 PM

i am right with you on the mil part. my foot has become numb from the ankle bone to my three small toes. she tells me if my toes were numb, i wouldn't be able to walk. she acts as if i am lying. after i was dx with ms, i had an appt the foloowing week with the neuro and she said i hope they have good news for you. then she said oh they are telling you what is wrong aren't they? what didnt she get, they told me the week before that i had ms. just for alittle laugh:

what's the difference between a dead dog in the road and a dead mil in the road?

there's skid marks in front of the dog!

kateuk · 07-01-2002, 08:27 PM

I thought that I'd sent a reply previously but it obviously didn't do through, Thank you for responding to my e-mail. I'm very alone here - no family to talk of) apart from my husband's family. I feel very isolated and I would like to talk to anybody who is going through the same thing that I am. MYy legs don't feel like they are working and this (drunk) - I haven't been drinking) thing are freaking me out. Sm I going to feel like a drunk fool for thr rest of my life? Will I be able to walk through (sorry - english spelling!) - the store without feeling that I am going to pass out. And what about those burning feelings?
Best Wishes
KsteUK

Pylo · 07-28-2002, 10:32 AM

Hello Kate,
I recognise your feelings of isolation. I am lucky to have lots of good mates and suchlike, but even so having a diagnosis like this is so *BIG* that it is hard to get to grips with even so.

Have you got a confirmed diagnosis yet? I found that I felt better once I had a name for my pain....

The funny walk (I think of it as the "drunken sailor" gait) might come from peripheral neuropathy (screwed up nerves in your extremities) which can come and go. I have it bad at the mo if I go further than 50m, but otherwise its OK. I use a stick to get about with for "long distances" (i.e. outside the house) but MS is such a weird illness that this might go away.....

Don't let your mother in law get you down. Look upon this new part of your life as an excuse to come down on her like a ton of bricks when she is a cow. If your husband looks badly on your shooting his mum down in flames, blame it on your illness ("I am so upset about this...she didnt realise how fragile I am...." blah blah.... Lets face it, if you *HAVE* to be ill, at least you should be able to enjoy some of it

)

Look after yourself and TAKE IT EASY.

Pylo (Phill)

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.ekoj a ekat t'nac yeht fi me' kcuF