Howdy all,
Just had my balance and dizziness test and the Neurology Clinic. Went through all the testing, took the CD with all 3 of my MRI's and my newest reports and tests. She first said, there was no way, she would get through all
my stuff today. I must have looked mortified. Cause it's the usual thing that happens, you know... I find nothing wrong with your ears or eyes, causing your dizziness. I need time to go through all your material, and I need to talk
to Dr. Sh........ The first Dr. I saw in 2007, which told me I was too old for MS!!
Deb

I'm 54, DXed at 46. Are you ever too old for MS? Think I had it for at least 8 years before DX.

I think you can be diagnosed with MS at any age. It probably just depends on how active it is, and how nasty it is to a person for it to get to a point where the patient finally complains about it to a doctor and it's discovered.

You know what I would tell a doc who said something like that?

"Well, if you people would really pay attention to the symptoms I had, I would have been diagnosed much younger...so it's your fault!"

There are no age restrictions in any information I've read...in fact, I have read information that states that the older you are when diagnosed, the more likely your MS will progress more quickly.
IMO, that's because the docs were denying us older folks a diagnosis instead of getting us on DMDs asap...

I was dxd a while back and the first neuro said "you are too old for MS!" I said "really?! what if I have had it for decades and no one knew it?" and his response was that I would have been dxd before now. He dismissed me. I went to the MS clinic and they said "WOW, you really do have MS." I said the first guy said I was too old! and they said "not if you have had it for years, and no one knew it." Crazy doctors!

Perfect example of why we need to be our own advocates and not put so much trust in doctors. They're human. They make mistakes. I know some of them tend to think mighty highly of themselves.....and like the fact that some of their patients think they walk on water.....but when it comes right down to it you know your body better than anyone. I'd keep looking until I found a doctor that listened. And if they wanted to know why I left......I'd tell them the truth.

And this explains why I am prejudiced against MDs...my bad, I know...

But they think they are white knights riding in on a horse saving us...

What we need is a coach...we're the quarterbacks. MS is the defense facing us...wanting nothing more than to put us on our butts...the coach needs to make sure that he has sent in an offensive line that will protect us, and also send in a play that will make sure we succeed.

BUT...the coach also needs to respect what WE bring to the game...our experience, our knowledge, and our instincts...

So many MDs don't get this, don't respect us, and think that they need to "save" us...no thanks.

I was raised by nurses. (my dad, my uncle and an aunt are/were all nurses)

Nurses know that doctors are full of crap. I was given this secret information years ago. Doctors are not all knowing and all seeing. A doctor that might be halfway decent will tell you "I dont know" if he doesnt know something.

A doctor that thinks the world revolves around him will tell you your possible MS symptoms are "migraine related".