I posted in the Newbie section out on the main board, but I belong in here. About me:

I started having MS symptoms around 1990 - first visual stuff, then pain in my wrists while keyboarding. Tests came back negative. After that, four definite flares which I never saw a doctor for - three were numbness and "heaviness" in my legs, and one was my whole right arm.

In fall of 1995 my lifestyle and relationship were unhealthy and my stress level high as I tried to get a job at a company where I was temping. On a Saturday my legs got "that feeling" again...by Tuesday I knew something was seriously wrong. I was admitted to the neuro ICU early Wednesday morning, numb and near parylized from the chest down with ON in my right eye and a contracted left hand. By that afternoon had a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

I've been fortunate to not have a flare that severe since. My legs would occasionally give me trouble in very cold weather or during illness, but nothing else. In recent years my disability has progressed somewhat, including an unsteady gait and hand tremors.

In a bartering move with my neuro to get a prescription for Estriol, I started Copaxone in October. Estriol is a pregnancy hormone currently in clinical trials, and it is making a difference. I am steadily improving now. I tolerate the Copaxone well, too. The increased disability affected my outlook on life, though, and I finally asked for an antidepressant so that I could stop being a miserable meany to my DH. It has helped - a lot.

I'm a former karaoke diva/host (met the love of my life at a karaoke bar) and a tech gadget junkie. I love to cook and invent recipes, research stuff on the internet, and share the wisdom of my personal journey if it might help someone else.

I am a very spiritual and intuitive person, but not all that good at relationships. Fortunately, God sent me a man who understands me. We have a business out of our home, and he does the technical work while I keep the books, keep him company and tend the cats. We are up to our ears in debt, business is booming, and we're happy as pigs in a wallow. I am truly blessed.

It's good to be here. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and seeing some familiar "faces", too.