Let me help you rant about your deffinate
MS DX...

And then let's laugh it off like idiots
...

i'm so sorry jane. but your dr sounds like a gem.
i'm a nurse and knew the dx was coming. i had even gone to the medical library and started doing research.

however, when i got the definite dx (in my car on the phone) i ran to a friend's hse and started bawling. the shock just got to me as now it was too real.

please allow yourself to take time to feel however you do. it's all normal and may come in waves, just like grief.

we're here for you.

I read my own diagnosis on the MRI report in the garden of the clinic where I had the scan. I was upset, alone and sitting in a random garden. Then went to the neuro to hear the words. He knew that I knew, made it more real hearing it.

Kellly, I had the same reaction. I took a friend with me to the doctors after I received a phone call that he wanted me to see me. They took us into his office and he told me. He also thought I was crazy when I smiled until I told him I thought he had called me because I had a brain tumor. Then I was laughing at the pictures of my skull and brain. At the time I knew 2 people with MS, and my perception was that they were doing well. I don't think I actually cried until I was on iv steroids. Then I did not stop crying for weeks.

Jane we all go through the different stages of grief. You don't have to have some one die to go through grieving. You are grieving this huge change in your life,the potential loss of job, body functions, independence, etc. But like you said. You found us!!!!!!! I have been so angry at my diagnosis at times yet there are other times that I realize that it has changed my life for the better. Then I sit and have a pity party again. Every day is a new day.

I found out my diagnosis by going into the hospital thinking I had a ruptured lumbar disc. I had an MRI the next morning. The surgeon came in about 10 _M that night and said "Joyce I have good news and bad news. The good news, you don't have a ruptured disc. The bad news is you have MS". And then he left!!!!!!! No further explanation. I am so glad I have a wonderful family practice doctor and and nuerologist.

my neuro called yesterday. No infection so going with steroids. Talked about follow up visit to talk about starting injections after I recover a bit (I assume the CRABS?). He actually called me and talked for 45+ minutes! I tried to let him go several times, but he kept telling me "I am in this with you so I have the next hour free just for you. Any questions that can't wait, you just call me, even after hours"

Labs did turn up very low sodium levels,which has been an issue. So I have instructions to follow at home, including limiting my drinking- which is normally not what you do on roids. Steroids decrease serum sodium levels and drinking extra water will make it worse for me

He is also doing the infusions over 2+ hours to not shock my system too much. Also has them doing daily STAT elctrolyte levels after each infusion. They call him with my levels and he decides if I can go home or if he has to adjust/stop roids. Sounds like a good game plan.

The funniest thing happened while nurse was doing her thing (questions up the wazzoo). She asked "when were you diagnosed with MS?" When I said 24 hours ago she all but hit the deck from shock. For some reason this cracked me up beyond belief. Here I am feeling like garbage and I am consoling her!

day 1 done, 4 to go- yippee

hugs guys!!

Sounds like you have a great Doc in your corner there, Jane..Congrats you lucky bum.

Good luck with the Steroids..

Jane,

On the other side of it...now you can aggressively or not so aggressively treat the symptoms...knowing that you aren't using medications or therapies which will NOT cause any other problems.

Sorry & glad at the same time...a two-sided coin.

Still waiting for my crying-towel day (and not looking forward to it)...I hope that everyone of us at this party deals with it as well as you are right now...Let tomorrow take care of itself...

I hope this diagnosis will bring some peace to your mind. I know it did for me.

((( HUG )))

Jane, your neuro sounds just like mine! Does a slow iv infusion just like yours. Checked my glucose levels after each infusion. And he is always way behind his appointment times because he takes all the time in the world when he is with the patient.
Sounds like you have a good member on your team!