Hello,
My name is Kadi, I am brand new here. I am 22 years old and though I have yet to be offically diagnosed, but since my aunt cousin and great grandmother have all had this my family is convensed that MS is the reason I can't feel the left side of my body and cant control my left hand. The only sensation I have on the left side is an extream itching and cramps when my fingers decided to become posessed and move of their own accord. I have my first neuro exam next week and they told me they will be doing an MRI and lumbar puncture. I am terified and dont know what to do or expect. Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't really offer advise (sorry) but hopefully you have a good doc and things will go as smooth as possible. Good luck!

Kadi,
I repled to copy of your thread in the Stumble Inn.

Welcome to NeuroTalk, Kadi...cute name.

Yes sometimes MS is a family affair and other times not??? I am the 1st one, that I'm aware of, with MS, in my family, but my 40 yr old DD was DXed, 7/8 yrs ago..

No advise, just take a deep breath, relax and let us know what your neuro tests say, whem you get back from the Doc.

Welcome Kadi...
Not that you'll forget what's bothering you, but you might want to make a list of symptoms and questions...sometimes being in a doc's office makes some of us get brain freeze...
Take notes of what any doc says or what any test reveals, and keep a symptom journal.

Good luck...I hope you find out what is causing this...

Hi Kadi and Welcome to the group. Sorry if you have to be here, but it's a great place with caring friends who are always willing to share their experiences. I've had a few MRI's which I've always thought feel like you're inside an old video game with all the banging and strange noises. The lesions found with the MRI's were enough to diagnose MS in 1990, so I never had a LP.

Hope you'll stick around and please let us know how you make out. We're here if you need us!

Welcome Kadi!!!!

Sorry to hear you are in limboland right now!

It sucks to say but it does sound like MS.

And it does suck if you have it BUT at least you're getting into the diagnosis now so it can start to be treated, the longer you go, the more problems you'll have.

That is coming from personal experience.

I myself am 22, was 21 at diagnosis.

What you are facing is in fact scary, but you are not alone.

Mine started with numbness and tingling in my right side, sensory problems, went half blind in my right eye and then I just fell apart after all of that, that's why I say the earlier the better.

Soooo when I was dx, I was completely in the dark. I had no clue what was ahead of me.

If you are an MS patient and start experiencing really bizarre sensations, don't panic! This disease causes sooo many bizarre sensations and neuropathic pain, it's like being on psychedelics ALL OF THE TIME!
So when I was first diagnosed I was freaking out at all these weird electrical sensations thru my body, no worries, it's just messages backfiring weird right? lol

Again I am sorry to hear what you are going through. It's SUPER hard. Hang in there!

Add me if you'd like! Us MS-ers are really the only ones that can understand the numbness and electrical shocks, everyone else thinks we're off our rockers! lol

Be well chica!

-Ana D

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it yet, but make sure you've got all sorts of good insurance before you get diagnosed!

I got diagnosed too quickly, and didnt seem to have time and also didnt really believe they would find anything and didnt get my insurance propped up. I have a high deductible...it's still great insurance, just wish I could have tweaked it to make it better.

http://ms.about.com/od/multiplescler..._diagnosis.htm


Kadi: This will give you some insight as to what doctors are looking for to reach an MS diagnosis.

hi kadi,

i'm glad you found our group; a great bunch of people.
first, take some deep breaths. it will be ok. let's see, some suggestions:

the MRI will probably take the longest. when the tech gets you on the table she/he should take a moment to get you comfortable. if you tend to be cold they will cover you with a blanket. take footies for your feet. shoes get uncomfortable.

they will give you plugs for your ears, the machine is loud. you'll hear some chirp y noises. or, they may offer you music. you could also bring your own.
empty your bladder.

the most important thing is to lay as still as you can. that way the best pictures can be taken. one maddening thing is that if you have an itch anywhere you can't scratch it. but, trust me, it will go away.

on the LP. people have different experiences. i had one and did well. a radiology dr did mine. it was done under floroscopy. that means the dr is able to see when the needle is in the right place. they'll give you a numbing medcine but you will probably feel some pain. it passes. drink a lot of fluids. staying hydrated helps the dr draw the spinal fluid he needs. and if you're a caffeine drinker have that too.

after the test, and when you're home stay flat in bed for 12-24hrs. it will help you avoid a headache. IF you do have a headache call the dr asap. they will be able to help with that.

sending you calming thoughts.
let us know how it all went. when is your appt?