I was told today, that in my doctor's opinion, I definitely have MS. I'm still not totally convinced, but if so, is the weakness in my legs and difficulty walking permanent or could it improve once on medication? I would be interested in other people's experience. Thank you so much for any replies that are forthcoming.

That's a really difficult question to answer. For the most part DMDs do not improve symptoms, the damage is done, they're to prevent any more. But the brain is also pretty elastic, so if the meds can slow the progress theoretically the brain can form new pathways to transmit information.

Though rather than DMD, you might regain some (unlikely all) mobility and strengths through medication for the symptoms along with possible physical therapy, but it will largely depend upon the form of MS that you have as well... PPMS, SPMS... How far along you are, how well the medication slows it...

I really don't wish to give you false hope that you'll pop a pill, or stick yourself with a needle and be up and running tomorrow or even next year. But giving up completely also isn't healthy. Funny thing with MS, doctors don't really 'know' how things will go, even fellow MSer's experiences vary greatly. So never confine yourself to 'that's all she wrote'. But at the same time don't beat yourself up if that really is all she wrote.

I'm sorry this probably isn't the answer you were hoping for, it's a crappy disease, and one without a cure, or 'prognosis' aside from tomorrow will likely be worse than today

But at least you'll always have an excuse to procrastinate, forget to pick up milk and enjoy some days chillin' on the couch watching tv without anyone able to say 'boo' about it. So it's not all bad.

((((((Wolbachc)))))). What Starz said!!!

Most of the symptoms I have had were taken away temporarily by cortisone. My biggest things were he extreme weakness in my legs. Now my cognitive abilities are forever comprimised and it's according to how stressed I am as to how much. Sometimes I can recite my whole life back to you and others I can't remember yesterday.

Hi Wolbachc,

As Starznight said, the DMDs won't bring about any improvement in your symptoms.

Some people are having good results with Ampyra, a drug that is meant to improve walking.

Physical therapy or an exercise program where you gradually increase the amount of time you spend walking has helped many to improve their walking ability. These have helped me.

Thank you so much and the flowers are medicine to my eyes.