another way to help with some of the depression is to just get into the social threads and write it all out. thats what i did a few weeks ago and as small a gesture as it was being able to spill that whole mess did help quite a bit. i guess i skipped the denial part and went straight into anger and didnt want to throw that all at my wife. i wasnt even expecting that anyone would read what i had written but just getting it out, telling someone made a difference. i still have that big blue binder my neurologist gave me full of stuff for the copaxone. i remember thinking if they spent less money on the big blue binders and other marketing junk how much less expensive the drugs could be. once i found out how much the copaxone was one of the first things i did was look up alternative treatments for MS. theres one you drs probably wont be telling you much about. theres a few of us here who use it.....LDN. low dose naltrexone. some of use use it alone and others use it along side the copaxone. its sometimes controvertial, because its not fda indicated for MS. plus its already available as a generic so theres not much money left to be made from it. so it probably wont be getting a whole lot of clinical study for its uses in auto immune issues. you can catch more info about it at www.ldninfo.org
its done some good things for me and a few others around here.

Hi Thumper,

Sorry about the DX of MS, but glad you got answers anyway. It can be hard not knowing what's causing the symptoms.

Erin, this made me smile. My husband used to tell me that it was "all in my head" After the diagnosis...I said, well, I guess you were right. It IS all in my head! It's our little joke now.

Thumper - I am new to this website too. Welcome. You are so smart to be asking questions. I waited until NOW. They want to switch my medication from Avonex to Copaxone. Last week I met Rochelle (twinkletoes) and she uses LDN. I had never heard of LDN. There is so much to learn and lots of decisions. I'm excited to have new friends with great advice and experiences to share.

As you are deciding what to do, I learned from Cherie that the interferons (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron) can worsen depression (did not know that) My guess is that is why your doctor wants you to look at Copaxone (not an interferon)

Good luck and keep us informed, it helps everyone when we talk about it.

Hi Thumper

Getting an answer is good and I think everyone ahead of me has said about everything I would say.

Check out www.nmss.org for the newly diagnosed. There's some really good information on the site. Good information about medications, symptoms, treatments, etc. Even some support groups, exercise programs, seminars, etc in your area. Check it out. I am on the programs and services committee for our state as well as the government relations rep and we help where and when we can. It's not the only organization, but it's a start.

I'm so sorry you've joined the crappy MS club, Thumper . We'll be here to help you every step of the way .

Hi Thumper,

I'm so sorry you had to receive this cruddy diagnosis along with the rest of us. I was just diagnosed 14 months ago. I think you've already discovered how great people are on this forum. I'm so glad you got to meet Twink!! (Ro). She's the greatest.

All the best,
Natalie

Okay everyone line up and start smacking me. That's what you're supposed to do right

My apologies for not getting back here sooner. A little about my situation so start yawning now.

I live with my brother who's in heart failure and he's a diabetic. The day I posted here he just got back from the hospital having a new pacemaker put in with a defib in it. Sunday we were going to church and he held onto the top of the car as we got out, then it passed.

We went in church and with all the up and down he was getting dizzy. I thought it was his sugar so during communion I went down the street and got him hard candy.

We get home and he said he was okay. About an hour later he said he was dizzy and couldn't see. I called 911 for time #1. The said his sugar was 511 and to bolus.

Couple hours later another call to 911. Said his sugar was still high. This went on 2 more times. Then at 11PM he said he couldn't even see the TV. Called 911 #5. This time they felt his pulse in his ankle and it was very weak.

Off to the hospital we go. I follow and get there around 1AM. He doesn't have his pacemaker card and they won't even look at him. So I had to come all the way home and bring back the card.

Turns out one of the leads came lose and they had to take him to the OR in the morning. I go back in the AM and they said his new insulin pump came in and they wanted to put that in too. So I thought all is well. I work and was going to see him after.

Are you still awake yet?

He comes home on Wednesday evening and goes to bed. Around 3AM I hear banging on the wall. That's his signal something's wrong. I go down and he said he can't even stand up. I look at his leg and it's like a balloon. So I call 911 one more time and head back to the ER.

He had cellulitis and they think with the new insulin pump his sugar spiked. He came home Saturday and I think everything is okay for now. And with the marvels of medicine he went back to work today. He has a sedentary job and I think it's good for him.

I love him so much but it's scary not know what will happen one day to the next. Could be why I get so down at times.

That being said, thank you so much for all the replies. It took me 5 minutes to find that button. I haven't even been back to the doctor yet, I canceled twice. But I'm going Wednesday and get the ball rolling.

I think I'm going to like it here and I'm glad to know you all.

I'm heading off to work but I'll be back after and get to know you all better and figure out how to post pictures and put some things in my signature.

I didn't yawn once during your story. I'm just so impressed with how well you take care of your brother. Wow Thumper you are an awesome sibling! Your brother must really appreciate you.

One thing you have to remember now that you also have a chronic health issue is that you have to make sure and take care of you so that you are able to help him. Don't sacrifice your health to the point where you can't help either one of you!

Thumper, make sure to listen to your body and don't over do it! I find even if I am worrying about something it will trigger a flare. I think it is wonderful you are there for your brother! Just make sure you have some help, or at least someone to vent to so you don't get overwhelmed!

Welcome to NT. We are here for you if you have questions or need to vent! We can all relate!

Thumper,

Sorry about your diagnosis. (((Hugs))) Just wanted to let you know your in my thoughts.

Take care,

Coffeegirl