[QUOTE=ewizabeth;569219]Darn that doctor for saying that. This disease isn't too bad for lots of people, in fact, it can be quite mild. The person that said that is probably stuck in the early 1980's or so when treatments and research were limited. You really can control the course of the disease to some extent by following a healthly lifestyle with diet, exercise and stress reduction.

Enjoy that baby and stick around if you have more questions or need support. [/QUOTE

Thank all of you for your words. I do have another quesstion though. The thing that sent me to the hospital was a seziur and it was my first one and the drs didnt know what caused it so they did a spinal tap and an MRI and they told me that the spinal tap showed that i have ms and i went to an ms specialest and he told me that the spinal tap results was neg for ms. but the MRI showed leasions that showed i had ms has this happened to anyone else.

My spinal was inconclusive. It took ruling stuff out and changes in leison load on the MRI to get my diagnosis (dx). Even with the common MS leison type known as "Dawson's Fingers" in my brain, they followed the "McDonald Critera" for the dx. (Gotta love these names! Now I want a hashbrown! )

My first "could not be ignored any longer" symptom that landed me on the DX path was essential tremors on my right side. Made writing, eating and driving fun. Luckily that went away and has been the only symptom to fully remit so far.

Hope this helped. Take care of yourself.

[/QUOTEThank all of you for your words. I do have another quesstion though. The thing that sent me to the hospital was a seziur and it was my first one and the drs didnt know what caused it so they did a spinal tap and an MRI and they told me that the spinal tap showed that i have ms and i went to an ms specialest and he told me that the spinal tap results was neg for ms. but the MRI showed leasions that showed i had ms has this happened to anyone else.[/QUOTE]

You are a case in point

Each symptom is different for everyone. And then, the severity of each symptom is different as well.

Then you can add the different doctors and the various tests that they will run (or not).

I strongly suggest to you that you find a neurologist that is well versed in MS and all that implies.

Once you find that doctor, work together to treat *your* MS.

For me... during my 6-month visits to my neuro., we go through the normal muscle strength tests. I always laugh at that.

The reason is this:

During my first appt. with him, we started with the "grab my fingers and squeeze as hard as you can" exercise.

When I did that, his eyes went wide with noticeable pain.

That was about 6 years ago. We still go through that, but I now ask before: "are you ready?" He takes a deep breath and then nods okay.

Muscle weakness is not a symptom I have. I hope never to have.


I wish you well!!!

Niko

You are a case in point

Each symptom is different for everyone. And then, the severity of each symptom is different as well.

Then you can add the different doctors and the various tests that they will run (or not).

I strongly suggest to you that you find a neurologist that is well versed in MS and all that implies.

Once you find that doctor, work together to treat *your* MS.

For me... during my 6-month visits to my neuro., we go through the normal muscle strength tests. I always laugh at that.

The reason is this:

During my first appt. with him, we started with the "grab my fingers and squeeze as hard as you can" exercise.

When I did that, his eyes went wide with noticeable pain.

That was about 6 years ago. We still go through that, but I now ask before: "are you ready?" He takes a deep breath and then nods okay.

Muscle weakness is not a symptom I have. I hope never to have.


I wish you well!!!

Niko[/QUOTE]

Well i do have muscle weakness on my left side and when i was in the hospital my whole left side went numb and ever since then it has not been the same and sometimes it gets to where i cant lift anything with my left arm and my left leg hurts when i walk so i guess that is part of the ms. i havent been to my dr for about seven months he wants me to go though another spinal tap and mri i dont want to go though all of that but i know i have to, but i'm scared.

hello and welcome to the board.

you've gotten some great advice.
i was dx'd at 53y/o in '03. in '05 i had to give up my nursing career because i couldn't keep up with the physical demands and 12hr shifts.

i've learned several things. to be gentle with myself. and, to take each day one at a time. i've also learned to expect changes but to adjust to them the best i can and with the help of my "team".

i would suggest that you get a 2nd opinion. that's always a good idea when you have a serious medical problem going on. also, start to keep a medical file on yourself. get copies of test results and copies of your mri's. if you ever see another dr they will want to see for themselves.

i was dx'd with 2 O-bands on my spinal tap and lesions in my brain and spinal cord. however, i was dx'd first with the mri's alone. you don't have to go thru another LP if you don't want.

are you on any of the MS drugs? some of us aren't on meds but from what i've read it's best to start a tx early to help down the road to decrease disability.

be sure to keep your personal power. be your own best advocate. and slowly pick a bunch of drs that will work with you as a team. YOU are the team leader.

there's a difference between fearing the future and being prepared. if you have a disability find out how you can work with it to make your life easier. ie: using a cane for balance. you might want to consider having life insurance because you have a baby. try to think thru what you might need to protect yourself and your family. sometimes doing things while you're young is easier. if you work consider long term disability insurance if your business offers it. things like that may give you peace of mind.

sorry i've been so long winded. just a bunch of ideas and things that i've considered.

Hello and welcome!

Lots of great advice here...we're a group who have been through very different experiences, but we're a great place for info, advice, and support from those who know what you're experiencing and feeling...

It's okay to be scared...but it is not okay to delay getting information that will help you and your dr. be better informed. If you don't want to go through an LP, I can totally understand that, but make sure you don't delay tests because you are afraid of what you'll find out. Knowledge is power, after all.

I was told in '91, over the phone, mind you, that based on xrays on my back, that the dr. felt I'd end up in a wheelchair from arthritis. Jerk. Some drs. tell patients things that have no basis, and needlessly frighten us.

I have days when I am afraid of what MS will bring into my DH's and my life...the unknown is the great equalizer in life...but at least we know what we are battling, and that there are drs. who are absolutely fabulous about taking the time to inform us, and to support us.

Keep us posted, won't you? We're here for you
P.S. I don't know the handshake, either

Welcome to the forum! It's scary having an incurable disease and a new baby. I started having symptoms right after my daughter was born and was dxd when she was 7 months old. I've read that it's not uncommon to have a flare after childbirth. Taking care of her was a bit nerve-wracking because of weakness in my hands and arms - she started walking at 10 months purely out of desperation, I think!

I just want to say: don't think that any symptoms you may have now are necessarily permanent. Speaking from my own experience, it's possible to have a very bad flare after giving birth, and still remit to pretty near normal. So don't panic!

I don't blame you for not wanting another spinal tap. Horrible!!!!! I hope you find a good neuro you can work with.