[holdingontohope]

Well I guess I will introduce myself. Earl, a good friend IRL told me about this forum today. I live in Phoenix, AZ and am originally from Kansas City, MO.

I have a long list of health issues and some that are still being determined and perplexing doctors. Some of these issues have been several years in the making and I have gone through several doctors some that said its in my head and others that tried but didn't know what else to do. Things seem to finally be progressing toward answers.

Anyway I was diagnosed with migraines at a very young age and later vertigo to go along with it. In college was when I began having the tingling and loss of feeling in my hands, legs, and feet and falling was a very regular occurrance. My doctors didn't seem to think anything of it. For whatever reason after 3 years the tingling and loss of feeling almost stopped happening until 2-3 months ago.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. In July 2008 Bipolar 1 Rapid Cycling and Severe Anxiety were added to the list. After many doctors I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS in October 2009. I have not worked since July 2009 when I fell asleep at the wheel and totaled my car by hitting the parking garage wall at work. At they believed me that I got in a wreck and couldn't make it into work because they could go look at my car. Sleep Apnea is also par for the course as well.

My sleep symptoms have eluding doctors now for several years. We just ruled out narcolepsy. Now wanting to explore other possible issues such as neuropathy or MS. Just going through a list of things and crossing them off one at a time I guess. Collecting way more diagnosis than I ever care to. So I guess I am here to learn more about MS while I am in the process of finding out whether I have it. I can benefit from all the wisdom here for sure.

[SallyC]

Welcome to NeuroTalk HH, any friend of Earls is a friend of ours.

Your symptoms sound MSy to me. I hope you soon have the answers you need to get the proper treatment.

Hang in there with us and have some fun and support while you wait, Patiently..NOT!

[Kitty]

Hi, HH and welcome to NeuroTalk!

You know Earl so you must already know we're a goofy bunch! I'm glad you've decided to join us. Lots of good folks with lots of experience with MS here. We'll all help you as much as we can.

[2Hopeis?]

Alot of things are going on in my life. Don't know were to start. I have MS/this should be confirmed around Nov 2nd. I'm 47 yrs old and my name is Heather. There is more to this picture than I even want to take in. My problems began about 12 yrs ago and a few surgerys later and alot of meds. Lyrica is my newest I have been on for about six months and boy do I some issues with this. I am just afraid and feel like no one understands me. Some days I just want to stay in bed and forget but i can't cause the pain is always there and sleep.......What the heck is that? I'm not coping very well these days. I think if I was to ever have another surgery I would sign the paper to do not resusitate. My family is not so understanding. Gee, I really am down right now and can't express how or were my feelings are and what I'm going threw.

[Kitty]

Heather

I'm so sorry you're going through such a difficult time right now. You've come to the right place, though. We've got a wonderful group of folks here on the MS forum and totally understand the need to vent. We understand, we care and we're always here to lend an ear or a shoulder or both.

[Earl]

Yeah, I did show her this site and even encouraged her to join. I did "warn" her that once she admitted to knowing me IRL she might get mixed comments, clearly TT hasn't seen her first post.

She is a wonderful, giving person and her device dog, Jax, is equally awesome. Big ole teddy-bear. I'm glad she joined.

.. and thanks for being nice (so far)

[SallyC]

Happy to have you back home Heather. Sounds like you are a little depressed. It's a symptom of MS and it is one thing that can be helped. See your Doc about an anti depressant. Not all will work for you, but if you find the right one, life can seem normal again.

I'm sorry your family does not understand, but it's hard to understand an illness if you don't feel it yourself, so come here to vent and get it out....we DO understand.

[holdingontohope]

Everyone thanks for the welcome. Yes, I do have an amazing service dog Jax. He was a therapy dog at a nursing home before I got him so he is extra sweet.

I just got my appointment with a neurologist and the big day is November 10th. I know a diagnosis can take awhile but I am hoping that it will be fast. My LTD disability ends in January and I will have absolutely no income at that time. My doctors have deemed me unable to work but LTD won't extend the time and I am still waiting for SSDI hearing date. I have no spouse or family I can turn to for help so it could get really interesting. Just taking it a day at a time and praying God will handle things as He always does.

My short term memory is horrible these days so I have been writing down symptoms as I think of them and I have filled a whole page on a notebook so far writing in two columns. Its pathetic when I am 29 to have so many but I try to have a sense of humor about it. Not much else I can do about it. Is there a good website I can go to that has a comprehensive list of symptoms for MS?

[Lady]

Welcome holdingontohope and Jax.

We hope you find the major cause of your problems and stop collecting all the other disorders along your waiting-journey. Many of us have other medical problems besides MS. As long as they are not life threatening I am sure coping skills will help too. Good luck on Nov. 10th and nice to meet you.
Join us in the mean time. Keeping busy helps. Lots to talk about here.


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Welcome back to you Heather. You do sound very depressed. Not good. Please see your regular doctor if you feel worse until your Nov. 2nd's Neuro appointment. Get some medication for depression. Lyrica can cause depression, so ask about that. It didn't work for me when I went off Neurontin and tried Lyrica. My sensory symptoms got worse and pain too.

I had to get off each of them, slowly. Good luck and nice to meet you.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a helpful list.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sea...um=20&x=43&y=7



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[SandraAustralia]

Hi, I'm Sandra,

I was diagnosed with MS 4 months ago. I'm scared and I feel angry, upset and alone at times. I'm supposed to start Copaxone in 4 days and I don't want to.

I have felt great since March- my Naturopath made me change my diet, we didn't know about the MS yet. Since then I feel wonderful. I work 2 jobs, both part time, I do zumba everyday and I'm quite fit now. I don't want to start the copaxone and get side effects when I've been feeling good with the MS diet. I also don't want the lipoatrophy, I've lost 25 kilos this past 6 months and I've suffered with anxiety, depression and enormous self esteem issues for 15years. I'm so scared, I've been crying a lot today.

I guess I'm just confused.