I was relieved when I got my MS dx last Nov. I'd been dealing with sxs for at least 4 yrs., and felt as if I was insane with all of the unexplained sxs. Having an answer gave me solace.
But I must admit that when the first shipment of Copaxone arrived, I cried like a baby. It made the dx so real...and I felt so scared about the future.
The injections sting at first, and itch for a few days at each sight. I learned from my NT buds to heat the area for 5 minutes before injecting, pushing the site with a cottonball afterwards, and icing it afterwards. I used hydrocortisone cream for the itchiness.
Now, after a few months, the site doesn't itch anymore, and the discomfort isn't long-lasting at all.
Good luck, and know that there's lots of support and information here!!

"I'd love to hear if anyone else has had this type of epiphany dealing with the diagnosis of MS?"


Me too! I was in the middle of a flare when the doc finally concluded it could be MS. I knew that ALS had similar sx and was just so relieved that it wasn't That!

MS isn't wonderful, but the people I've met since my diagnosis 2 years ago are wonderful! Its like a whole new world has been opened to me and I'm loving every minute. Well, almost every minute, lol!

I am fortunate, too, that so far I just have numbness, which continues to progress, but I can still do just about anything I really want to.

I've taken a cue from AMN and decided that as long as I can, I'm going to get out as much as possible and have fun. Now that we're empty-nesters, DH and I are able to do more traveling. Also, now that I have a diagnosis, he no longer thinks I'm "lazy" when I run outta gas.

Glad you are dealing with your dx in a positive way, Amy. A therapist who spoke at a "MS Beginner" conference insisted that Everyone goes through 4 stages after diagnosis. I spoke with him privately and told him I was doing just fine. He still maintained that I'd have to go through denial and yadda yadda, but I never have.

You GO, girl!

I went through a Magical thinking phrase "This will just not progress in me". Might have been denial but like calling it Magical thinking more. Now after 7 years, know it continues to progress in me. When Joan Didion's (who has MS) husband died, she wrote a book about the afterwards "The Year of Magical Thinking".

I've been thinking about this ( Did you hear the noise?) I think my shift in thought was slower and more subtle. No Meds.. no options when I was DXed, so, no big earth shattering decisions to make.

I'm in complete control now and I'm up to five fingers..

You finally have an answer - congratulations. While getting tagged with omething that has no magical bullet pill to cure you stinks, at least you can stop being in limbo and do things to fight back. Sounds like a great doctor - hang onto him!

{here's an attempt at levity}
And just think how much simpler "forms" will be!!! Instad of having to explain this is wrong, this doesn't work well, no I don't have a "name"; now you can simply put down MS and all is understood and accepted. And it is only two little letters LOL