[Lynn]

Hi Olive

Nice to meet you - but for all the wrong reasons.

I agree totally with everything that others have said. Sal was right in saying that there are a lot of charlatans out there who promise the world and deliver nothing but an empty promise, and often a reduced bank balance.

As you have probably heard, MS is usually unpredictable, and no two cases are the same. We all present and progress differently.

I am eleven years in, still walking (sure, not so fast, or as elegantly as before, but still on two legs...), still working four days a week as a business studies teacher, mum of two (who were only young when I was diagnosed) - one is now at university, and the other is in her last year of junior high school), I have been married to the same wonderful man for 22 years and we have lots more to come.

My point is, MS is not an ending, it is a readjustment. It is a time to reassess, find your strengths, ditch whatever weaknesses you can afford to lose and move forward.

Non-enhancing lesions mean that they are not currently active (no inflamation is happening right now). That is a good thing.

IF you are diagnosed with MS, it is not good, but there are many worse things we could have, and yes, it is possible to live a happy and full life for a long time. None of us know what is around our corners - sure MS could become seriously disabling, but so could lots of other things that may happen to us.

I hope you get the answers you need - sometimes I think not knowing is the hardest part.

Regards

Lyn

[freeinhou]

Hi Olive -

Welcome to the board. MS is not very predictable.

It started with ON for me too. January 1988. I was working at a nuke plant then. And I gotta go to the morning daily operations meeting in 10 minutes. We got a Soyuz launch this week and subsequent docking with the international space station. I still work. I even still walk normal. Can't run, but I'm also getting old...

Tom

[Debbie D]

Welcome to NT...it's a great place for all of us to share, cry, vent, laugh and just try to get on with daily life.

NurseNancy gave you the right advice-don't say anything at work yet!! Keep a symptom journal and a list of questions for your neuro, and try to bring someone with you. The info can be overwhelming and you might forget what he/she says. Or take a recording device.

This disease is such an individual disease-treats everyone special none of us has exactly the same symptoms, or degree of advancement. All I can say is take in information with moderation; try not to become obsessed about it. Just note what's going on and live your life-cause you only have this moment...

I have never heard of a diet that cures MS, just can lessen the symptomology and progression. There is a lecture on youtube about "minding your mitochondria" that touts massive amounts of kale. Haven't had the courage to eat it yet
The Swank diet has been around for a few decades, I think. It's pretty strict, but has it's fans.
I believe in a diet of moderation, exercise, rest, and trying to stay active. Occasionally I will have a pity party, but when I realize I'm the only participant, I close it down and get on with life.

Keep us up to date please. Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor. I've been through three and now am so happy with my neuro-it makes a difference if you feel listened to!!

and the last bit of advice-you are not alone in this...we're here, we're soldiers in this fight, right along side of you...

[olive1976]

Hi All,

Thank you for all the supportive messages. I'm still waiting for an appointment with the neurologist, and hopefully will know more once I've seen him.

Out of curiousity, has anyone else here experienced numbness and tingling in all four limbs that's gone on for months and months?

Cheers,

Olive

[Twinkletoes]

Originally Posted by olive1976

Hi All,

Thank you for all the supportive messages. I'm still waiting for an appointment with the neurologist, and hopefully will know more once I've seen him.

Out of curiousity, has anyone else here experienced numbness and tingling in all four limbs that's gone on for months and months?

Cheers,

Olive

Hi and welcome to NT, Olive.

Yes, I've got lots of numbness and it continues to progress. Its possible it could be due to something else, but I don't give it much thought anymore. As they say: It is what it is.

Best wishes to you -- come back and give us a report.

[Debbie D]

Gosh, I've had "sock toes" (feels like I have wool socks on) for over 7 years. Only diminished a little this past summer...
tingling comes and goes...I just have learned to write it in my symptom journal with dates of onset/remission and move on...

I didn't before being dxd, however...I would constantly think and worry about every symptom and whether or not it was part of what I thought was MS. Now, after several years, I have learned to try to ignore things unless they really bother me.

[olive1976]

Hi All,

I finally have an appointment with the neurologist, but not until January. I wish it was sooner because if I do have MS, I'd like to get on medication as soon as possible to lower the risk of attacks. Is it a concern that I have to wait two months for a first appointment with a neuro?

Cheers,

O.

[Lynn]

In my humble opinion, in terms of your sanity, and your peace of mind, the time lag is significant. But realistically, it probably isn't in so important in the grand scheme of things.

This of course all changes, if you have any changes - such as new symptoms or an exacerbation and your disease process is active.

I wish you all the very best - keep a diary of events and symptoms and if anything does change or happen, make sure you call your doctor's office and let them know.

Regards

Lyn

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by olive1976

Hi All,

I finally have an appointment with the neurologist, but not until January. I wish it was sooner because if I do have MS, I'd like to get on medication as soon as possible to lower the risk of attacks. Is it a concern that I have to wait two months for a first appointment with a neuro?

It depends on your Neuro Olive. Some say ASAP for meds, others say wait and see?? I don't think 2 months is too long to wait, unless you are in the middle of a heavy hitter attack of it. Then I would go to the ER and let the ER Neuro see you.

[NurseNancy]

i don't thing it's too long to wait in terms of the MS. in terms of your sanity......well....

if however, you have any sx's (symptoms) that get worse and stay worse for 48 hrs i would call his office.

try to get busy with some sort of project, like a book, to take your mind off the wait. the holidays will fly and Jan will be here fast. keep us posted.