Hi Helen,
to NT. I'm sorry to hear about your MS diagnosis. It really is a shock in the beginning. The first few months can be overwhelming and sometimes very scary. But this group of people are incredibly supportive--it doesn't matter if you are in the midst of a pity party, a panic about the disease, confused about what to do, or just wanting to say hello. We will respond! In my initial months there were a few nights when things felt out of control and I posted my concerns -- I always felt better afterward because of the kindness and support here.
I was diagnosed a year ago a few months before I turned 40. Like you I had ON and some lesions on my brain (old and new). I did not have any symptoms I can recall prior to this. I got a second opinion (Judy has good advice about that) and in between the first and second opinions I thought about which drugs I might want to take. I think I also needed to absorb the initial diagnosis -- I sort of held out hope it was something else as I was running fevers and had other non-MS issues but the second diagnosis was good confirmation and allowed me to come to terms with it. It took awhile to weigh the pros and the cons about the meds. In the end it is your choice but know it can be overwhelming thinking it all through. My MS is very mild symptom wise (although I have 9 lesions) but the doctors all recommended started treatment soon after the diagnosis. I took their advice.
I would recommend a book : Margaret Blackstone,
The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis, An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed.
http://www.amazon.com/First-Year-Scl...0848362&sr=8-1
I ordered lots of books in the beginning and some of them scared me quite a bit. But Blackstone's book is highly hopeful and more on the optimistic side.
It has very practical and useful information for those in the beginning stages. When I was just starting out I found it extremely reassuring. Sometimes I even go back to it even though I know it cover to cover just because I like the tone of the book!
Good luck and don't be afraid to rely on NT.
Natalie
