Welcome to all the newbys.:hug: Don't go away, we are not cliqueish, but sometimes we grow a little lax in this thread. I've been in the hospital but will check in here more often.

We are happy to have you join our band of merry MSers. Ask us anything, start a thread and ask away. We are a good group of people.

Again, Welcome to NeuroTalk..:)

New members to the MS forum please introduce yourselves here so we can welcome you! :)


I am Becky from midwest had diagnosis in June of this Year nice to meet you all

Welcome to you Boxer, nice to meet you and have you here.:) Tell us about your experience, so far, with the MS journey.

I hope you like it here.:hug:

Hello Becky and welcome to NeuroTalk :)

A confused mum
 

Hi guys,
I have never used a site like this before so forgive me if I get it wrong. Was wondering if anyone had similar symptoms to me. Started with a stiff right wrist with pins n neddles, numbness and no strength, has now spread down the whole of my right side and into my foot, right hand is icy cold most of the time. If I put my chin on my chest it feels like an elastic band stretching all down my back. An odd sensation in right side of tummy like when a baby moves in later stages of pregnancy (I'm not pregnant). Feel generally rubbish and confirmed early menopause. I'm 41 and fit as a fiddle. CAT scan was clear, x-ray neck clear and now awaiting MRI scan. I'm lucky I have a good Dr, but he said my symptoms are very unusual. Or are they.....Look forward to geting to know some like minded people here. x

Hi PS, nice to meet you and welcome to our little club. Sounds like l'hermittes(sp) down your spine, which can be caused by MS or other Neuro causes. Let us know what your MRI shows. The tingling, coldness and numbness also could denote MS.

Good luck with your Diagnosis journey. We are here for you. It's a little quiet today, but we are all glad you are here.:hug:

ms er since '06
 

It is so nice to meet you all. I have MS and would like opinions, feedback, as I don't know anyone else who has this. I'm new at this ... never been in a chat room (?) before ....

Welcome home MSer. Great that you found us and to have you here.:) This is a message board, something like a chat room, but tou have time to post and respond. I like that. There is a chat room here, but it moves to fast for me.

Come on in and join the crowd. Be sure to visit the Stumble Inn (get it?) for fun and not so much MS stuff.:D

Again, WELCOME!!:hug:

Thank you Sally for welcoming me. This looks like it will be fun! Can you reply so I'll know you got this - thanks! Nora

Hello
 

My name is Barry possible MS patient and need info.

Ms with test results
 

Hi my name is Kathy , I signed on last week but not sure how to make new post. I had my lumber spine test done and a MS blood pannel. I guess the doctor will call to help explain some of the results. What I have looked up that I had no bands, but my Myelin Basic Protein, CSF level is high, also my albumin serum level is low, which seems to be with kidney or liver. I hate the waiting, to hear from the doctors, All day I have been jusy tired. Not sure if there will be any more test before he will put me on meds.I take vitimins everyday and a energy pack to help, would like to hear from someone. Kathy MRI showed alot of lesions and one in the pons.

Welcome Barry...ask away..:)

Hi again Kadi and welcome. Go to the top left of the page where it says New Thread, click on that and start typing..:hug:

Hello everyone
 

Hi I care for my brother who has secondary progressive MS. We share the same out so it makes things a lot easier for us. Sandy has had MS for six or seven years and I afraid is a rampant form of progressive MS so he is quite far a long on his journey.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a gid New Year from Scotland.

Annie

Hello, I just signed up to post a thread for the first time.

I have been having many neuro signs and symptoms and finally have an appt. with a neurologist.

Background:
20 years ago- doctors suggest I suffered 2 TIA's- right side temp. paralysis and loss of speech for about 5 hours.
12 years ago- massive headache lasting nearly 2 days- once gone, woke up with double vision. - Still experience vision disturbances.
Numbness in hands/ feet/ legs for as long as I can remember.
2 yrs ago- Sudden tiredness- sleeping 20-22 hours a day- lasted weeks,wetting bed because I could not wake up.
Had 2 MRI's 6 mos apart- MANY scattered white lesions- no increase.
Since being so ill 2 years ago, notice cognitive impairment, poor memory, strangely I do a lot of speech/ spelling backwards. For example, OFTEN write words backwards when typing- "doing" comes out "goind"- Frequently!
Headaches, jaw pain although those have subsided recently. Blood tests are fine, no other health concerns, generally active and healthy.

Any suggestions or things I should ask the neurologist would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Annie and Heather and welcome to NeuroTalk and to our MS neck of the woods..:):hug:

Annie, thank you for being your Brother, Sandy's helper and I hope he feels better soon. I'm sorry he seems to be progressing so fast. Is he on any MS Modifying Drugs?

Heather, you are still among the un diagnosed still, with all your symptoms? It seems the Docs could come up with something by this time. You probably should have seen a Neuro a long time ago. I wish you well through the DX process.

Betaseron or Natural ???
 

Hi, Im new on this site and was wondering if anyone is taking the Betaseron therapy for MS. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago, have been on Betaseron but resulted in unfavorable side effects. Please let me if anyone has had any success with trying natural medicine and supplements instead of the drug therapy. Considering natural medicine and supplements.

Welcome Alisa!!:hug:

A big Hello to everyone, happy to see a support group
 

Hi Folks,
I am the wife of a newly diagnosed MS husband. We have had a very upsetting 2011 with a lot of losses. We lost my husbands Mom last February, My Uncle in November and my Grandpa on Dec 15 in addition to my husband being diagnosed with MS on October 19. I have done a lot of research on MS, but I guess I will never understand the fatigue that hits him. Now, during the holidays, he has added drinking to this nightmare. I am at my wits end with how to react to anything anymore, as I am always to blame.:confused:

Hi Chiyone and welcome to NT.

I'm so glad you came here. It can be scary to be the caretaker of someone with MS. Everyone's symptoms are different and can change from day to day.

I'm sorry to hear that your husband has been drinking as a way to cope with all the stress.

There are several members here who have a spouse with MS so hopefully they'll come along shortly and welcome you to the group.

Another suggestion would be to start your own thread in the MS forum. Some folks forget about this thread and miss alot of the new members.

Welcome Chiyone..:hug:

New MS Diagnosis....or undiagnosis?
 

Hi all, I'm Mandy.

I'm new to the forum, and glad to be here! As mentioned in my recent post, I have been diagnosed, undiagnosed, and rediagnosed with MS several times in the past four months (isn't that too short a time for such drama?!). I walked through diagnostic hell, spent some time accepting and learning about MS, and then I was thrown back into diagnostic hell. If my symptoms were mild, the waiting would be easier to accept. If I could find a neurologist who was nice, that would also help.

I decided it was time to jump online and see if my story sounded familiar to anyone, or if anyone had any insights or suggestions.

Looking forward to being in touch!

Thanks,

Mandy

New
 

Hi. My name is Shelby. I have had RSD/CRPS for 8 years now and in the last two days of my spinal stimulator, which for me has worked wonders. For the first time in a long time, I was able to hold a pen in my hand, which doesn't seem like much, but for me, it was like lifting a 50 pound weight.

I saw a post earlier about someone talking about their trial and how the pain came back almost immediately? Is that typically the case? I was told it will be 2-3 weeks before my permanent implant surgery and I cannot imagine going back to that unbearable pain again.

Any other thoughts, suggestions, insights would be greatly appreciated from everyone. I was only informed of the spinal stimulator a month ago after enduring excruiating pain for 8 years with temporary relief from stellate ganglion blocks and radiofrequency ablations, on top of countless meds.

Thank you!
Shelby

HI Mandy and Shelby. Welcome To NeuroTalk..:)

Come on in and sit awhile..:hug:

hi new here
 

My name is Lisa I am 39yrs old. I have been dealing with problems for the last 7 to 9 yrs. I havent had any doctor take me seriously until my pcp is finally slowly doing stuff to help me. My neuro that I have seen twice now is ok dont think she really listens to me though.

Hi Lisa, Welcome!!!

What tests have you had towards a diagnosis?

Is your Doc thinking MS?

Come on in and join us..:hug:

Hi Mandy, Shelby and Lisa! Welcome to NeuroTalk. :welcome_sign:
I hope you find the answers you're looking for. NT has a large MS community and I'm sure you'll all find helpful information here.

:grouphug:

I have had blood tests, emg, mri (on a 1.5t machine). My pcp believes MS but my neuro is trying to tell me its all b12 symptoms even though my b12 is in normal range

PCP says "MS" Neuro has not confirmed...
 

and now tells me that a "second" opinion with an MS & Chiari specialist is in order. We'll have to wait until after winter's grip is gone as I can't take the car travel.

HI, I'm Stacy...and I suffer from memory loss, tingling, speech problems, balance problems & an assortment of "weird" symptoms, too many to list.

Before this...I was semi-strange anyway. Keeping this as brief as possible...headaches at age 11 (pre-MRI 1977). No dx then just take her home from Yale Hospital, with a pat on my head.

Living everyday with the hope that I make it through with a smile!

Hi NTN, nice to meet you and welcome to the club..:):hug:

my story
 

ok here is my story can you tell me if this is MS possibly cus im going crazy:
Three years ago i woke up with weird tingling lips, throughout the day it got worse and my entire bottom half of my face went completly numb and my mouth drooped like i was having a stroke, rushed to the ER they thought i was having a TIA turns out i wasnt. started seeing a dr who ruled out lupus, lymes, RA, fibromyalgia, and alot of other things. sent me for and brain MRI which he said looked ok. since then ive had 3 more big episodes and each time, it scared the heck out of me! i get a lot of sypmtoms as well which are
MAJOR dizziness
lightheaded
numbness/tingling of hands, feet, legs and arms,
a feeling like something is crawling on me
MASSIVE fatigue
sensative to heat
hives
feeling like my head is to heavy for my neck (like a bobble head kinda)
the tingling of my lips still
muscle twitches/spasm all over!
back pain
shocking pains in mainly my arms and hands, like i stuck my finger in a light socket
problems with my vision, mainly just blurred vision,
constant headaches
MAJOR memory issues and cloudy head on top of clumsiness
bladder issues
and im sure there is more that i am leaving out
Its affecting my everyday life, i have no energy, i dont know how much longer i can go with feeling like this on a daily basis. ive had 3 drs tell me it sounds like MS i go in today for a MRI of c spine and lumbar spine. but i dont see a nuero till the first. today i feel like im having an episode my mouth is going numb again.; all i wanna do is try to sleep it off but then ill go again without really spending time with my kids. does any of this sound like MS to any of you.
forgot to mention that my vitamin d level was at a 4!!! and that was with taking 1000 IU a day. and the trembling as well,
i was in the er two weeks ago, cus it felt like i was having a heart attack, my upper chest and lower throat felt like it was closing in, got really really tight i read that that might be what is called and MS HUG? i only get it in my upper chest and also in my throat, or front of my neck

Welcome again, Candace..:)

Hello! New, Confused and FRUSTRATED!!!
 

Hello Everyone! I am new to this forum. Try to make this short (if possible). I was dx with fibromyalgia 8 years ago. Since then I have been dx with arthritis in my right hip, degenerative disk disease, a pituitary tumor, carpal tunnel...blah, blah, blah. I have NO DOUBT after all the reading I've done, that I have MS. I had the MRI's done when they discovered the tumor, w and w/o contrast. When I asked about MS the neurologist completely dismissed it because she said there was no indication of lesions. I now read that 5% of cases present WITHOUT lesions showing on MRI's. HOW DO YOU GET ANYONE TO LISTEN? I am so completely frustrated. Working has become so difficult. I am currently off for 1 week because of the vertigo I've been experiencing. My balance has gone completely downhill in the last 2 months. Feel like my head is constantly swimming. My thought process is COMPLETELY off. When I'm in a meeting at work I can't even find the words I want to use to express my opinion....when I can even figure out what my opinion is! I am in Central PA. If anyone knows of a neurologist specializing in MS PLEASE inform me. I appreciate any help I can get. Thank you.

Hi and welcome to NeuroTalk. :welcome_sign:

How does "arthritis in my right hip, degenerative disk disease, a pituitary tumor, carpal tunnel and fibromyalgia relate to "no doubt I have MS."

Fibromyalgia can cause cognitive problems, also known as Fibrofog and dizziness as well as many other symptoms. You may want to learn more about what you have been diagnosed with for a better understanding.

I was one of those 5% diagnosed without lesions. I didn't have a problem being listened to, it was quite obvious to my doctors something was very wrong. Initially a brain tumor was suspected. I was diagnosed based on a positive lumbar puncture, neuro exam (I completely failed) and symptoms. That was a long time ago.

There is a diagnostic criteria for MS --- the McDonald Criteria. The MRI is a large part of that criteria. Your doctors are listening but you are not meeting the criteria. You may want to research the McDonald Criteria for a better understanding how this disease is diagnosed.

Hi Sherric...Welcome!!:hug:

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie. Have been having many sensory and cognitive issues; being followed by a MS specialist who thinks I have MS but didn't find "the smoking gun" yet.

My MRI's show lesions in the subcortical and periventricular area.

I hope to find answers soon. Looking forward to getting to know everyone :)

Maria

Hello Everyone
 

I'm Dan,
I survived a cerebral hemmorrage of the right hemisphere on Aug. 29, 2010. I am still recovering, as I lost all of my abilities and had to relearn everything. I am a licensed architect so there's lots of relearning to do. I was recommended to this site by my good friend Carl Hernz who thought I might benefit from the support this site this to offer. I look forward to getting to know y'all. Happy Saturday :)

Hi Dan and welcome to NeuroTalk
Just to let you know this thread is on our Multiple Sclerosis forum, so here is our general New Member Introductions forum where you may want to post as well :)
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum88.html

First time here.
 

I'm new on this. 30 year old female, newlywed. And really concerned.

Started having symptoms of feet/hand tingling in the (hot) shower over a month ago, then started noticing that it occurred in hot weather and even when exercising. That made me concerned, that its affecting my everyday life now. (1 month prior to that I was on my honeymoon in the tropics- think hot weather- and had no problems).

2 years ago I had episodes (almost daily) of extreme dizziness/vertigo to where I thought I'd black out but never did. It lasted almost a month and then vanished. During that time I had a brain MRI (normal) and cardiology workup (normal). I forgot about it completely until I looked up my current symptoms and 'MS' appeared.

Now the tingling/pain is even more sensitive and frequent (hard to do dishes). I'm also in much pain- I wake up with leg pain/soreness, that gets better with motrin. I got a massage yesterday and the therapist was amazed by how tense my muscles were all over my body. I'm not working out as much anymore so theres no reason for my muscles to be tense.

I just got married a few months ago, and have a job where coordination is necessary. I'm extremely concerned that I have MS, and scared to get the diagnosis.
I don't have disability insurance, and read that I should make sure I have it before I get diagnosed- this process may take another 2 months for me.

In the meantime I'm terrified and still experiencing daily symptoms. I've told my new husband (only a little bit, don't want to concern him too much yet), and not any family, as I don't want them to worry. So I'm going through this alone, and have had crying breakdowns when I'm alone and this happens. This waiting time is really difficult- I'd rather have a diagnosis or not- and deal with it either way.

Any thoughts/suggestions? Does this sound like MS to you?

Hello Concerned and welcome to NeuroTalk.:)

It sure sounds like MS to me, but what do I know:D I hope your Med team/Neuro can come through with a DX for you so that you may start an MS Med. In the meantime, there are meds that may help treat your symptoms.

You can't do this alone. There is no time like the present to find out what new Hubby is made of. I just know that he will love and support you.:cool:

Stay with us and let us help you through the DX process. If you need to vent about your fears, this is the place. We do understand and feel what you feel.

:hug::hug: