Hello all I was recently told I may MS. I had a mri done to check for a pinched nerve in my neck and they found what they call a enhancing spot in the white matter of my brain. The only other thing that has been going on for 2yrs is that during the spring and fall I have what seems to be bad allergys that cause some light headed and slight dizzy spells that pass in a week or two with medication other than that I have had no other symptoms of MS and my dr said that if it wasnt for the mri he wouldn't think anything abut it. So we had a spinal tap and blood work done the sp came back with only 1 marker that may be ms blood work was all normal. So I went and saw a ms specialist who checked me out and said I should wait 6mths for another mri to see what happens. Well 6mths later the first spot was smaller but there was a new one on the other side so my dr wants me to start on meds. and copaxone seems like the one I would try since it has the least side effects since i dont have any symptoms I dont want to take something that makes me feel bad I am very active and would like to stay that way as long as i can.
Now that I have rambled on about my history my question is can you tell when a ms episode is coming on or does it just hit you out of the blue? I am not sure what to expect from this so any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Larry
Hello all I was recently told I may MS. I had a mri done to check for a pinched nerve in my neck and they found what they call a enhancing spot in the white matter of my brain. The only other thing that has been going on for 2yrs is that during the spring and fall I have what seems to be bad allergys that cause some light headed and slight dizzy spells that pass in a week or two with medication other than that I have had no other symptoms of MS and my dr said that if it wasnt for the mri he wouldn't think anything abut it. So we had a spinal tap and blood work done the sp came back with only 1 marker that may be ms blood work was all normal. So I went and saw a ms specialist who checked me out and said I should wait 6mths for another mri to see what happens. Well 6mths later the first spot was smaller but there was a new one on the other side so my dr wants me to start on meds. and copaxone seems like the one I would try since it has the least side effects since i dont have any symptoms I dont want to take something that makes me feel bad I am very active and would like to stay that way as long as i can.
Now that I have rambled on about my history my question is can you tell when a ms episode is coming on or does it just hit you out of the blue? I am not sure what to expect from this so any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Larry
Larry, maybe I'm missing something but I don't think you have MS. Or for that matter anything???
well that may be true. The hospital that did the first mri said there were spots in the white matter and a large enhancing spot consitent with mild ms. The neck mri was clean. the spinal tap was clear except for 1 marker and the new mri showed all the same spots from the first and a new one on the other side. The nero said that both mri's were consistent with ms and the MS specalist also agreed. So that makes 3 different people saying it looks like ms so what else can i go on? I dont want it be ms but if looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quakes like a duck could it be a chicken? dam i hope so I am going to get another opinon but for now I was just wondering what a ms episode is like so i know what to expect
well that may be true. The hospital that did the first mri said there were spots in the white matter and a large enhancing spot consitent with mild ms. The neck mri was clean. the spinal tap was clear except for 1 marker and the new mri showed all the same spots from the first and a new one on the other side. The nero said that both mri's were consistent with ms and the MS specalist also agreed. So that makes 3 different people saying it looks like ms so what else can i go on? I dont want it be ms but if looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quakes like a duck could it be a chicken? dam i hope so I am going to get another opinon but for now I was just wondering what a ms episode is like so i know what to expect
I also had a lot of white matter on my brain mri, they said maybe MS, then I not sure,,,,then they all said they didn't think so. After a year and half or so they said I have Lyme disase.
For me, my episodes come on rapidly. I feel like I know what triggers problems, though....Stress..not eating well...hot/very cold weather...virus/colds, etc.. I TRY to get rest and eat healthy.
Note: Not everyone has bad side effects to the interferons. I'm on Avonex (1 shot per week). Side effects are nill when I take aleve or advil right after shot. I take my shot at 5:30 am and go to work. No problems. If I forget my advil I will get achy and flush feeling. Once I get the meds in me its gone.
Choice is yours. Get as many opinions as you need to feel comfortable. Good Luck. MS isn't the worst thing it could be. Chin up!
I also agree, this could very well be MS and the doctor is smart to start you on Copaxone and do another MRI in 6 months...I am on Rebif- and like Anxious, do not have any side effects. I love my drug...
As far as the onset of a relapse, I usually get a few days notice. i feel weak, or dizzy- my brain feels disconnected from my body-Ive been on rebif for 4 years and havent had any real relapses since 6 months after starting it....bad days, yes- but relapses which needed real attention, no. However, even when the bad days come, I know they are coming...the symtoms are the same- extreme fatigue, dizziness and balance issues- usually triggered by either being sick, working too many hours or a very stressful situation. By getting additional sleep and doing my best to relieve the stress and cut back on my hours (I work over 50 a week and go to school full time)- I can usually avoid a full fledged attack.
Good luck to you...its a manageable disease.
Nikki
I have some episodes which I can sense coming and others that hit quickly. My service dog learned to alert me in advance of seizures, but fortunately I have been seizure free since late 2006. MS can change rapidly depending on the person and the circumstances. As you learn to live your "new life" as an MSer, I believe you can learn to listen to your body and ascertain your triggers that set off your episodes. I personally think that knowing your "controllable triggers" allows you to assume a degree of control over your situation. There are triggers and events over which we have no control.
Take one day at a time and you can enjoy your "new" life.
__________________
MS diagnosed since October 3, 1982
MS onset circa 1977
Proud to be MED FREE!
Eternally blessed and eternally optimistic!<><
