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?

Welcome Ann, Nice to meet you.. I know a few people on Beta, and doing very well. I hope you do as well. Why the switch?

I'm so glad that you decided to join the group.

Thank you LeeAnn and Sally. I haven't noticed any difference yet since starting on Beta. I switched because I was slowly getting worse on the Copaxone, and we decided to go with an interferon plus a 3-day IV Solu-Medrol infusion. I have hopes that between the two of them, my MS will stop getting worse.

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

Hi All! My name is Courtney. I was diagnosed with MS early July of 2006 but suspect I have had the disease for about ten years. Would love to know if anyone has had success or experiences with Neurovax or LDN. I am currently on Avonex and having a hard time with the side effects. Will be looking at Tysabri at the one year mark if I don't show signifigant improvement. Thanks in advance for your input.

I am not sure how often I will visit this site. I did start a blog and you are welcome to post comments there as well. Best, Courtney

www.reversems.blogspot.com

I am a new member. I was diagnosed with MS 6 or 7 years ago, and I was un-diagnosed 3 or 4 years ago. Dr Dennis Bourdette of the Oregon Health and Science University's MS Clinic looked at my brother's and my MRIs and declare that our respective damages were too symmetrical and too diffuse to be caused by MS. Instead we were diagnosed with an adult onset leukodystrophy (unknown type). This is cause by a genetic condition and was confirmed by the Mayo Clinic when they diagnosed by older sister with the same problem.
To shorted a long story, I am here under false pretenses, but my disease is a myelin disease and my symptoms include (I think) all of the common MS symptoms. I remember well going to a MS support group. Within several months, I had experienced all of my symptoms and kept adding new symptoms for each meeting. After getting some awfully funny looks from the group, I quit narrating my symptoms, and just listened (which I find very hard to do.)
In my heart I still have fond connections to people with MS. It's as if I am a distant, but poor relative of yours. And since adult leukodystrophies are quite rare, I have no other group to belong to, so I plead your indulgence to join in with you guys.
As a side note, the reason I got all my symptoms within a short time. My genetic leuko defect affects my metabolic system which, in turn, causes thinning of my brain's myelin, and once the thinness reaches a threshold level, all the symptoms start, so I didn't have to wait for new damage to appear like you guys do, but got to experience everything at the same time. And as for rarity, my family is at present the only leukos who share the same metabolic problems. So I am one of four. But we willingly accept new members, I promise.
Thanks guys.

Hi all,

Have just found your forums so thought I would sign up and introduce myself.

I am the webmaster and discussion board admin for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre in the UK.(http://www.msrc.co.uk)

I have been diagnosed and then undiagnosed with MS over the past 4 years and am now on my third Neurologist who is starting the process all over again, so having fun

So hi to all, and nice to meet you.

squiffs