[Lynn]

This is going to sound really strange - but it's the affirmation that I am not completely nuts or just plain uncoordinated that is making me feel better.

I had my six-monthly MRI/consultation with my Neuro today, and he finally verified that I had a lesion on my spine that is likely the cause of a couple of falls that I have had in the last six months. My earlier fall caused torn muscles, swelling, lots of physio, and pain.

He picked it up and told me about it, before I told him that I had had another fall and was currently horribly embarrassed and quite black-and-blue from my undignified landing.

He had seen the lesion before (on my last scan a few months ago), but wanted to see it clearly from two different planes (???) before he said anything.

Anyhoo, I am feeling validated that my fall last weekend in front of 50 party guests butt-first into pot-plants and gardens, while shameful, excrutiatingly embarrassing and somewhat comical, was actually justified.

He has prescribed me with Topamax - anyone else used this one?

I would appreciate any insight into this new drug.

Thanks heaps

Lyn

[ANNagain]

So, sending engraved notes to the party goers w MRI evidence?

Too not funny.

Glad you don't feel Nuts- I hate that. Validation is crazy good.
ANN

[NurseNancy]

i'm not familiar with topamax but i know others are.
i'm glad you're starting to get answers. did he venture to say what his diagnosis (dx) is?

[Lynn]

The Dx is fine - RRMS in 2001. With 'multiple lesions in all the 'right' places, and also lots in my brain stem, and spine (but most of the are faded out and not active - apart from this recent one.

Cheers

Lyn

[Lynn]

Topamax is one of the anti-epilieptic drugs - tegretol and epilem are two others. They may have different names depending on where in the world you are.

Hoping that this works to re-wire this setting in my brain that my leg seems to have switched on causing me to collapse at inopportune times.

Cheers

Lyn

[Sparky10]

Nice to be validated, isn't it? Hope this lesion calms down soon!

[Lynn]

Sal

I felt like putting out a press release 'MS on board - nothing to see here - please disperse'.

I am sure there were others who didn't have the same excuse for embarrasing behaviour.....but......

I just get paranoid. 'How much has she had to drink?????"

I am sure you all know what I mean.

Thank God I didn't land on her cactus garden, the bruising I have on my arms and legs is more than enough thank you.

Lyn

[tkrik]

It is nice to have some validation. I'm glad you got that. I'm not glad for the reason for it though. I hope you start feeling better and that the meds help you out.

[new2net98]

Not sure this helps...my mom has taken it. She has foot neuropathy due to fibromyalsia (sp bad today). Topamax has a nickname of "dopamax," because too much of a good thing or when first starting, can cause extreme tiredness & forgetfulness (hmm, sounds vaguely familiar).

Good luck with it. Mom opted not to use it, but she knows others that have had good results.