I joined awhile ago but never posted. I was on another message board for years which has been down for quite some time.

I was diagnosed 16 years ago and did pretty good until three years ago when my arms got very weak, followed by my legs last year. Now, I use a rollator or a wheelchair to get around because of weakness and because of falls. I was on Copaxone, then switched to Betaseron in September.

So, I just wanted to say Hello to everyone.

Hello Ann!

I'm glad you decided to post and let us know your here - the more the merrier.

Have you noticed any difference with Beta?

Hello.
I am an MS'r of 5 years. And what a 5 years it's been!
The first year was the worst. The second year I did the Novantrone. Great stuff, but hard on the heart.
I advanced real quick into SPMS. My doctor said to me, boy oh boy, you don't waste time, you just jump right in, huh? No tow-dipping first?
I have a pretty good attitude about it all. It is what it is. God has the plan. And besides, what or whom would I fight? God, I think not. It's all about acceptance I believe.
My trip with MS has not been an easy one. I had vertigo for 5 months along with quad-vision. My left eye crossed in. Man what a sight that was. No pun intended. I have wet myself.....in the mall.....with my girlfriend.....we laugh and I wet more. Note to self--always have a sweater to tie around your waist. I have had the numbing everywhere. The trouble walking. Holding my coffee in the morning. What a site that is. Double fisted to sip my java. One of my friends thought it appropriate to give me a bib. How thoughful she was.
I make fun of myself and this disease all the time.
Never mind the checkbook. Can't do it. Yet another job I get out of. hehe No, really, my husband got tired of fixing all the overdrafts. Did you know you need to subtract the withdrawls and add the deposits. whoops No harm no foul, right?
I haven't always been this way. Only since I was picked to have MS.
I used to think I had it all. That I could do anything. That I was smart, and pretty and well liked. I worked hard at my job as a mom, wife and an employee. I had money, savings, retirement, new car, home, furniture. I was on top of the world, so I thought.
Then one day it all changed. And I changed with it. You know. I like where I am today and who I am.
Odd, no more new car, house needs some fixing, no more retirement or savings. Used it all up waiting on the social security. But you know. I have more now than I ever did.
I have trouble remembering things, and tend to make them up as I go. Just kidding (for the most part). Who ever said ad-libing was bad. It adds more spice and depth to the story. And we all like a good story. Right?
When plans are to be made, everyone seems to do it through my husband. I think it's funny. Yet another thing for me not to have to worry about.
I would love to talk with someone to share the trials and tribulations of this here MS thing that they keep telling me I have.
Talk to you soon,
Sheila

Hello and How Do You Do?
I am a new observer and find this community and the information here to be top drawer. Thanks so much for sharing. Well, I don't know if I have MS or not. I've seen a neurologist exactly once. I have some symtpoms that sure point in that direction and I have some nonspecific lesions on MRI - but doc thinks not MS. At least not so long as my symtpoms improve.
I am an experienced member of the back problems forum on the Healthboards. Through my 2 big back surgeries I relied on those good people for support, information, and advice. What a help they have been to me.
I am a scientist and I find knowing and researching calms my fears better than anything else. I would be happy to accept my docs opinion and move on except I still have symtpoms and I think going undiagnosed might entail risks.
I have a great friend and helpmate in my husband, Chris. I spend hours everyday walking with my 2 rescue dogs and the homeless dogs living at my neighbor's kennel. I love to swim and do crafts. I have been in PT for years and do my PT stretches faithfully even though I don't seem to get any better from them - at least I tell myself I'd be much worse off without them.
Pleased to meet you - suzyq

The reason I say especially Sheila is not to play favorites, but my name is Sheila too! (Not too many of us around, so we have to stick together.)
Well, we may have something else in common too. I say may, because Docs are not sure about my dx. I have a lot of sensory symptoms with no dx. Spinal tap was neg and only 2 lesions on brain. I insisted on a VEP responce test, I hope that tells us something. I have abnormal sensations all over body, controlled symptomatically by Gabapentin. I also have a slight tremor in calf and a slight internal tremor in trunk. No motor symptoms to speak of (yet). I am 53 years old, if dx'd, I guess it is called the late onset variety.

Nice to share, have lots of anxiety right now over all this uncertainty. Been going on for a year and a half. But, as someone else said.......if I have it, I have it......no giving it back! Trying to accept is the best thing to do.

welcome Karen, pull up a chair.

Hi. My name is Josi, and I have been gone for quite some time but would love to come back to the forum, and have missed everyone. I've had quite a bit going on, and my ms has gone through many changes since I was last here. Hopefully by being here I can learn more and help others. It feels good to be back.

Hi Josi and welcome back! Everyone is always welcome here so pull up a chair and get reacquainted with everyone.

I'm not chatty, but will attempt an intro. I lived in Ohio until I was 40. I moved to Colorado just over 2 years ago to be with sig-other.

I was diagnosed with MS in 1997 and have been on disability since '99. I've tried Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif and Methotrexate. Had a mild siezure after six doses of Methotrexate last Oct. Am now on Imuran (Azithioprine) I was on that for 4 years in Ohio with no issues. I am sensitive to meds and have had a hard time finding one I could live with.

I started Lexapro almost 2 weeks ago. Had to go to 1/2 tab daily due to extreme sleepiness and nausea. This week went back to 1 tab and fight sleep during the day and cannot sleep at night. Ugh!

I had a perfect part-time job (12 hrs/week) for 2 years that I left to move out here. I miss that feeling of being productive working gave me.

I started throwing steel tip darts and crocheting nearly 2 years ago, but not at the same time. My hands are really bad and have been for 5 months and counting. It sure makes my hobbies diffictult, but I so enjoy them.

I'm looking forward to this experience and a happy hello to all.
Beth

Hello Beth!

Have you tried taking the Lexapro at night?

Some anti-depressants (ADs) can make you tired. Also make sure you have something to eat with it, even a cracker or two might help.

Feel free to join in and "talk" to us or just start your own thread.