oh ps...i'm a nurse too. 35 yrs NICU. but i had to retire because of you know what.

Thank you all, very much for taking the time to reply.

Your comments were all very helpful.

Its great to know people understand.

Cheers
Lesley:)

My now passed on grandmother (mother's side) was diagnosed with FM.

I'm fairly certain IF they had looked further than they did at the time (with newer technology), they would have probably found MS.

It's been the belief of my mother and I since I was diagnosed with MS and we began doing our own research and putting together the pieces, so to speak.

Thank you

There seem to be so many similar symptoms with Fibro and MS.

I have told my DH that when I die, i want an autopsy! Then they can write on my headstone "She was right" :wink:

In NZ, it is difficult to get another opinion with a neurologist. They all work in the same hospital.

Feeling rotten at present. Amitriptyline not helping :eek: Guess I head back to my family doctor, more rolling eyes and try something else.

Take care
Lesley

By this point, if you had MS it should be obvious by your MRI.

I did an informal poll recently, and 100% of the people with mild to moderate MS-like symptoms were either dx within the first 18 months (most within 6 months), or the only reason they weren't was because they didn't have a MRI (by choice, or lack of cooperation by their doctor).

Insist on a MRI.

Cherie

Thank you Lady_express

I have not had an MRI as when I went to the neurologist he said I didn't need one. I was too old to have MS.

Some doctors in NZ don't like patients (esp nurses) questioning their decisions.

Cheers
Lesley

PS How is your duaghter doing? Hope she is doing well and your appt in April went well :)

perhaps you could find a medical article on MS and ages of dx.
i don't know if you have an MS society in NZ but we do here and they offer all kinds of info.

plus, the website for the NMSS and here offers great info.

when dr are presented with credible publishing they have to at least give it some credence.

How are you feeling, Leslie? What season is it there in NZ? I always find that a flare-up occurs every change of season. You know, the longer I have this lousy disease (and fibro), the more it becomes a question mark. Up until yesterday when I found a new fibro website, I didn't realize that spasms were a part of FM. I was blaming them entirely on MS. Whatever is causing them, I wish they'd stop!

Yes, as was mentioned before, try to get an MRI. That's how I was finally diagnosed back in 1990. Never did have the other tests, but had optic neuritis twice many moons ago -- 1976.

Are you extremely weather sensitive? Looks like we're in for a few days of rain and the "Ouchies" are making themselves known. It's mind boggling how similar so many of these autoimmune things are.

Hope you're doing somewhat better!!! :)

Thanks Nurse Nancy, a good idea, and yes we have MS society in NZ.

Judy,

It is autumn here and we have had some very warm days and now it is cold! I have kept a record of barometric pressures to see if the body responded, and it does - somewhat.

I am unable to cope with warm/hot weather. Am unable to think - and thinking is no longer a strong point at best of times.

I was unaware that spasms were part of fibro. I am sure lots of my pain is from the muscles always contracting. And the tiredness doesn't help :)

Thanks all for your thoughts
Cheers
Lesley
NZ

I was diagnosed with MS at 47, and had been previously diagnosed with Fibro 15 years earlier. At St. Mikes (Toronto) MS Clinic, the doc's there told me that I probably never had Fibro, but had MS that hadn't been diagnosed yet.