Been having issues, I won't go through the symptom list unless someone asks, but basically every one of my limbs is having weird muscle spasms, numbness, and nerve pain. I failed the NCV Test that was done on my legs. Dx "Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy." Then I went to my family physician, and since I'm having mild paralysis and sleep paralysis and having motor function trouble, he's extremely "worried" that I have MS. He said I'm at the right age to develop/be diagnosed with it? I'm 23. I'm panicking. And then he says that panicking will only make the symptoms worse. I have a lumbar tap and brain MRI in two weeks. Can anyone please explain these tests, what they could show, and how to prepare myself for them? The MRI on my lower back was so bad for my anxiety, it took two tries and a handful of valium to bring me down. What's the outlook on MS? I'm scared and I feel alone.

Well, you sure came to the right place--you won't be alone here!

Don't expect any quick easy answers to all the questions you're bound to have, IF it turns out you're diagnosed with MS. Many times the doctors will be doing tests to rule out MS, and maybe that will be the case.

A word of advice: don't let the "worst case scenario" stories scare the snickers out of you!! It's just like childbirth stories, where somebody always know the woman who was in labor for 42 hours with a twelve pound baby. You will hear the MS stories of people who got diagnosed and end up in a wheelchair immediately, and then right to the nursing home.

Are there severe cases that advance rapidly? Sure. But that's not usually the case. There are therapies available now that weren't even twenty years ago. And new things cropping up all the time.

I have had MS for at least ten years, and though I had to retire at 58, I can still walk (I do use a cane), drive, read, etc. My Dad was diagnosed in 1957 when he was 39 (though he probably had it a few years before diagnosis) and he was able to work until he was 62, and was still going up and down stairs under his own steam a couple days before he died at almost 80 (of emphysema).

Someone with more technical knowledge than I have can better explain what the MRI and spinal tap will show (or not show), but I do have some advice: don't give yourself a heart attack worrying about any of the tests! I worried myself sick about the spinal tap, and although some people have the bad headache after, I had absolutely no problems.

You'll get plenty of support here, and lots of good advice. Just remember, we're not doctors, just others in the same boat with boat loads of experience to share!

Welcome Chek, nice to meet you. Pull up a chair and join us. Blessings told you the truth, MS is not the worst thing that can happen and for God's sake **don't worry**. As your Doc said, it only makes it worse.

Try your best not to freak out...MS is a diagnosis of excluding other diseases and disorders, and is difficult to diagnose...
MRI should be an enclosed machine with T3 intensity and contrast given...it will give the doc the most specific information on what is going on in the brain.
Lumbar puncture will indicate any active stuff going on in the cerebral spinal fluid...if you do need one, make sure the morning of you drink plenty of liquids, and afterwards, lie flat all day and drink caffeinated drinks like Monster or Rock Star...it is very important, since you may develop a headache otherwise. I did the above and had no headache or aftereffects.

Keep a symptom journal with dates of onset of symptoms...not to be a hypochondriac, but to give info to the doc at your appointment.
Also keep a list of questions that you might want to bring up at your next appointment....I know personally that if I try to keep a mental list, I forget what I was going to ask as soon as the doc enters the room
I would also suggest bringing someone with you to your appointments...it is wise to have another set of ears in case you miss something...

Try your best to live your life to the fullest-many MSers here try their best to make the most of every day to the best of their ability. MS is not a death sentence...it's a "wake up and smell the flowers" sentence...

Keep us up to date on what's going on...

Like you, I'm on the trying get a diagnosis path right now. Just a little bit ahead of you. The process is not quick, and it is stressful to go through it not knowing what is wrong exactly.

The advice to keep a symptom history list was incredibly helpful to me before my first neuro appointment. It really helped. My first draft was long and emotional. Then on advice from people here, I cleaned it up. Made it shorter and concise and removed the emotion from it (as much as possible). It felt good when the neuro read through it and added all kinds of things from it to his notes.

Panicking and worrying may not helpful, but they are NORMAL. I have been going through it big time. Don't let the panic and worry rule your life, but know that it is normal for something shocking of this magnitude. Try to stay calm, but don't beat yourself up because you're freaking out.

Hi Chek, and welcome. Lots of good people here. Im a 20yr veteran/survivor of MS. I was 22yrs old married with 2 small babies at home when I was dx. Scared didnt even describe what I felt. Let me tell ya tho, this dx hits everyone differently.

I worked in nursing and saw alot of MS pts and it scared me to death that I would end up like them and they didnt even have it for 7yrs! Well, Im still walking, albeit with a cane and walker, but Im still on my feet. I raised my 3 kids (yes, I had another baby after my dx) I met my current dh 10yrs ago, 10yrs after my dx, and he loved me and still married me. My point, life doesnt stop, and you can live a very normal and fulfilling life with a dx.

Dont let it freak you out. The panic button has been pushed and that is VERY normal. Stop, breathe, and take it one day at a time. There are so many more treatments out there now for this than there was when I was dx. Ive had it for 20yrs, and lots others have had it even longer and they are still on their feet and functioning.

As for the tests, an LP will show if you have o-bands (not sure what it stands for) and that is a positive for MS. It also checks for other things in the spinal fluid as well, but others may be able to tell you more on that. My brain stopped at o-bands. As for the MRI's, it show leasions, whether on the brain, neck or spine. Location of the lesions is more important than the number of lesions, or so Ive been told. I hope this helps some.

There is more access to great information now via internet, etc than there was years ago. So like Sally said, pull up a chair, and soak up the support of everyone here. We'll be right by your side on this crazy ride, your not alone

Just one caution, having "contrast" with tests may not always be a good idea. Some people react badly to it. MRI can show a lot without contrast fluids. I have had many without contrast.
When I hear stories of people living long with MS, I include myself among them. My aunt died at 50, though. I think she would have benefitted from the Swank MS diet, as I have. I mention it because you're a "newbie" and may not have heard of it. People have various reactions to it, but we all know about it...but maybe a newbie does not know about it. I know that it helped me...and it could have helped my aunt, who ate a very high fat diet, favored by her Scottish mother (the Scots are eaters of biscuits, high fat meats, high fat deserts, etc.). The Swank diet was recommended to me by a doctor who had MS. Books available in most libraries.

Naturally you are anxious but many of us live well with MS a very long time. Get yourself a good therapist to get through this to cope.

Start the Swank Diet. Don't smoke. Watch your weight. Exercise daily. Read as much as you can so you can take charge of your health.