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It's Official.......I have MS

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Old 10-25-2008, 11:22 PM #11
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Originally Posted by Thumper2 View Post
Yesterday I was officially diagnosed with MS. My MRI showed 3 lesions on my brain and one on my spine. I’m a bit shocked and scared but also relieved to know what’s happening to my once able body. It’s scary not knowing what will happen and how my body will react.

She wants me to start therapy (injections) and has given me literature on several medications. She wants me to read up on the treatment and have input as to what we decide. She feels that Copaxone is a good choice to start with because the side effects seem to be minimal compared to others. And she said it is very possible that I will be feeling pretty good by Christmas.

I'm leaning towards Copaxone, although I dread having to do 365 shots and more and I don’t think I can stick myself with a needle. I can’t even stand letting someone else do it let alone myself.

I’m going to have a ton of questions so please bear with me. I know nothing about MS or it’s treatments or strange nuances. I have to do my homework this weekend and read the literature my doctor gave me.

I think I do have some situational depression right now. And the possibility that I may progress into a more disabling state is daunting. My doctor thinks I should start on an antidepressant. I was against that at first as I always have been one to just stay strong and upbeat. But I think it may help at this point, at least for the short term anyhow. Then I can re-evaluate. I also am concerned about depression as a side effect. Any more and it will be too much for me to handle, I'm afraid. So it might be best to start treatment for that as well. Nip it in the bud so to speak.

Right now I keep telling myself………I MAYHAVE MS BUT MS DOESN’T HAVE ME!!

And in retrospect, thank goodness the default font is so big
Now you can tell people that it WAS all in your head (and spine) just not the way THEY thought it was. (did your doctors look at you like you a looney hypochondriac...a few of mine did!)


As for the shots,, if you pick Copaxone, I really recommend that you learn how to do it manually and with the autoject. Manual shots are a lot easier to do, and doesnt give you too big of a post injection hive as the autoject does sometimes.

Learn how to do both and then figure out which one is the best way for you to do the daily "stick". I did the autoject for probably just under 6 months before I got tired of the ritual of loading the autoject and having to figure out what setting to put it on for certain parts of my body. Just using the plain needle is easier to deal with for me. Plus, I think manual shots, if you can do them yourself, are much easier to control that the autoject is.

It's really not as horrible as some of us sometimes make it out to be. It's just...kind of tiring at times to have to give yourself a shot every day. I usually take a couple of days off during a month, just so I can pretend to be normal for a day or two, and allow any redness from the shots to heal a bit if I have any.

What's weird is, that I can give myself a shot every day, can look at the needle while I'm injecting and everything, but if someone else is going to give me a shot, I still cant watch them give me shot. It's weird.
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Old 10-26-2008, 04:32 AM #12
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Hi Thumper, and welcome to NT. You came to a good place.

Good luck with whichever therapy you choose. Before going on Betaseron, I was first on Avonex and then on Copaxone. I learned to do the injections manually, Beta was the first one I used an Autoject with.

Personally I like the Autoject, especially for my arms and hips. Places where it was hard to reach and sometimes impossible to see while doing an injection.
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Old 10-26-2008, 04:36 AM #13
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Thumper....sorry you had to join us for such a horrible reason - but let me tell you - this is a great place to be - especially early on in this new journey you are beginning (well an "official" beginning anyhow). This site and the people here helped me through some extremely difficult times - even if it was just me reading back through hundreds of posts. Not to mention - I've found a lot of knowledgeable people here, too! Great wonderful people!!

Hang in there....

~Keri
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Old 10-26-2008, 08:30 AM #14
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Hi Thumper. Sorry you had to join us, but welcome to NT. The first year is described by many as the worst (emotionally) for dealing with MS. Hang in there. There are lots of nice folks on here that can offer you insight and advice. Just remember that everything that is said here is based on individual experiences and your experience may be different. Hope you have found a neuro that you feel comfortable with -- that is important!
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Old 10-26-2008, 08:32 AM #15
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Sorry you've got MS, but glad you have answers
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Old 10-26-2008, 10:21 AM #16
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Welcome and hugs,

I remember all too well how shocking it is to be diagnosed with MS. Definitely do your research and decide what you would like to try with regard to medications. Everyone is different but fwiw I've been on Copaxone for almost 4 years now and have been doing good, knock wood.

People with MS seem prone toward depression so that is something I keep in mind and don't hesitate to get help if necessary.

Wishing you well,
Jules
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Old 10-26-2008, 10:40 AM #17
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Sorry about the dx, Thumper.

Even if you've waited some time to hear this, you will go through a period of grieving; shock, denial, bargaining, anger, etc. I made some irrational decisions in that first year, so cut yourself some slack if things don't go along as you might hope for a while.

This is a great support network, with many caring and knowledgable people. Glad you found us.

Cherie
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Old 10-26-2008, 11:03 AM #18
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Sorry about the DX, but glad you found us.

I'm a needle phobe, and I chose Copax for my first DMD. So far, so stable.

I still cringe and tighten up when others come after me with a needle , but can give them to myself now with no problem. It gets to become routine.

If you can use the manual method, it's a lot better as far as site reactions go. Wish I could do it, but have to stick with the AI due to loss of fine motor control needed to do otherwise. But there are a few tricks learned along the way that makes things easier even with the AI.

The right AD can be helpful. It's helped me some, since a little depression can make the fatigue even worse than it already is. Remember though that not all AD's are created equal, so it might be trial and error to find the right one for you.
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Old 10-26-2008, 06:05 PM #19
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I'm glad you got answers, Thumper, but sorry for the DX.. We are all in the same boat, here, just paddling along at different speeds.

I was on Avonex and then Copaxone for about a year....the shots were a breeze..er..after awhile. I was lucky and had no site reactions with Copaxone or side effects.... I hope you're as lucky and it works to keep you stable.

I'm glad you are here ..and we are here for you, too..
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Old 10-27-2008, 05:36 PM #20
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Hi Thumper and welcome, sorry to hear about you dx, you will get used to the needles, I used to do mine manually AND autoject for the harder parts, don't worry, you will get used to them.

Again, Welcome

Joe
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