[amberlenee]

I am 39 and recently diagnosed with ms. All the mri's, blood work, and spinal tap are done. My next neurologist appointment is next Wednesday, but I was called today by her telling me it is ms, and the dye test done during my mri shows it's not active. I don't understand this because each day I seem to be getting worse with pain and mobility. I haven't been truly educated on the subject as I refused to think it was ms until my diagnosis. Right now I'm mad and don't know what to do or say. I feel like I'm in life's solitary confinement. Oh, and the icing on my cake was being asked if I needed a wheelchair at a store yesterday.

[Snoopy]

Hello amberlenee and welcome to NeuroTalk.

For a better understanding of MS you might look through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. You will find a wealth of information about the disease, symptoms, prognosis, treatment and more.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/

the dye test done during my mri shows it's not active. I don't understand this because each day I seem to be getting worse with pain and mobility.

The Dye used with the MRI will light up anything currently active. Unfortunately, active vs non-active lesions does not mean you will or will not be doing better. MRIs do not necessarily correlate to how a person with MS is doing, sometimes it does.

Having lesions (anomaly on MRI) that is consistent with MS means damage has already been done to the Central Nervous System (brain, spinal cord, optic nerves).

In MS it is common for a person to deal with residual symptoms or symptoms that come and go. Learning to live with MS means learning to live with symptoms

There are medications that can help with some symptoms, as well as treatment that can be used to hopefully slow the disease progression. Please speak with your Neurologist about the best way to treat your disease and symptoms.

Mobility is a little different. Your Neurologist can send you to a Physical Therapist to possibly help improve your mobility. Unfortunately, mobility problems can be difficult and frustrating.

Improving mobility, if possible, take a lot of dedication and hard work on your part. Physical Therapy, exercise, stretching are all of what you will need to do to try and maintain your mobility.

The most important thing is to be safe. That may mean the use of mobility aids (cane, fore arm crutches, walker, trekking poles, wheelchair, scooter).

[SallyC]

Hi Amber, welcome home to NeuroTalk.
I really can't add anything to Snoop's super, helpful post, but wanted to
let you know that you are in the right place for support and friendship.

I hope you and your Doc can work out a plan of the most helpful meds
and PT, to help you cope with this nasty disease and to live your life to the
best of your ability.

I hope you'll stay and keep us informed of how things are going for you.
And for our support and company. We need your support as well.