Hi All,

After developing double vision in September last year, I gradually went down the DX road to MS.

There were quite a few legions found on my initial MRI results.

After about 6 months I had another MRI, but with contrast this time. My Neurologist told me that it was good news, as they did not see any active (or new) legions. He also said that it was unusual that so much time has gone past with no other symptoms.

He has been very clear that I have MS, but it is coming up to a year now and apart from the 3/4 weeks of double vision, I have experienced nothing else (apart from the fear that every little thing is related to MS ).

This doesn't seem to fit with other people's experiences (from reading online, a friend I know with MS and a friend who wrote a paper on MS) and I just don't know how to feel about it.

It's almost like I can fool myself into thinking I don't actually have it, but I don't want to do that. I think it is stopping me from fully dealing with it though.

I've been told I could be in a dormant phase that could last for another day or could last for years...

Has anyone else been where I am? I kind of feel like a fraud writing on this forum as I know some of you have a very difficult time. I don't mean to offend or seem ungrateful. I just don't really know who else to ask.

S.

That is probably your answer.

I was 1st DX in 1976 and had a long remission/dormant
stage, until 1993. Don't question it, enjoy it while it lasts.

Unfortunately the thing about MS is it can be relatively easy for years and then bam, it gets ya.

I think Sally gave excellent advice. I feel blessed now and plan to work like a fiend until I am no longer able.

Sally could not have said it any better. Ive had it for 21yrs now, and the first 19yrs I seriously almost forgot I had it. Enjoy the peace and quiet while you have it, because like the other poster said, BAM!!!! , it can hit anytime, without warning.

There are milder cases of MS. Everyone is different. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis in left eye (but still had 20/20 vision, only like looking through something smeared with Vaseline) and mild headaches. The only problem I have had in the past 6 years since diagnosis is fatigue from heat mostly and the vision issue. (KNOCK ON WOOD!) .

Then again I have been on Tysabri for 5 years, although I couldn't tolerate interferons or copaxone. I'm glad I went on Tysabri and got aggressive with treatment. Going medication free was not something I ever considered.

I still work full time and am not limited by anything except heat. And speaking of which, it was 99 degrees today and after running errands, it just about wiped me out!

The first year of my MS, given the fact I got multiple opinions and failed on Copaxone and Rebif after a short time, I really wasn't being treated. And nothing happened the first year. So it is possible to start slow with little to show.

I should add I have many lesions on my brain and even "black holes" which are evidence of permanent deep damage.

Thanks for the advice all.

I guess it's just been hard to relate to a lot of the stories I hear from other people with MS because I feel fine at the moment.

Point taken, make the most of it!

My Neurologist also said that with only one attack, they wouldn't necessarily recommend starting medication but the choice was mine.

My thoughts are, if the side effects aren't bad, it would be better to start early. Any thoughts?

S.