Hi. I'm a tired 44 year old woman. I just had MRI's that showed lesions in the brain and on the spinal cord. Doc thinks from this and other symptoms its probably MS. I had a spinal-tap two weeks ago. They say they got enough results in to know it is a autoimmune disease, so I started on prednisone. How long does it take to get the final results of a spinal-tap? I have some pain in my neck and alot of numbness from the shoulders down, mostly my arms and hands. Everything I touch feels like I'm rubbing sand paper across my hands. I feel itchy, crawlly feelings up my neck and I have weird head aches. Sometimes I don't make it to the bathroom on time. I've lost alot of sensation down there. Did I mention I'm tired? I've been married for almost two years to the most wonderful man in the world. I feel so sorry for him. As soon as we married I quit my job, lost my insurance, stopped smokin and gained 30 lbs, and now this. We have 2 boys 19 and 14. It will be nice to talk to people that understand how I feel. Sometimes I think people think I'm just lazy or maybe a little crazy.

Welcome to NT

There's lots of caring people who do understand what you're going through.

Here's the MS forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

When God gives us lemons, we have to learn how to make lemonade.

See ya around the board

hi kryptonite and welcome to NT.

i feel for what you're going thru. your LP results should be in. call your dr's office and ask for copies of the results. this is your medical right. my experience tells me that you should start a medical file on yourself. get copies of your mri's and your dr's visit dictation. it comes in very handy when you might see other drs or get other opinions.

are you seeing an MS specialist? when i got dx'd (diagnosed) i got a 2nd opinion. make sure your dr can listen to you and believe you. you are neither lazy nor crazy. others have difficulty understanding what they can't see.

if you call 1-800 FIGHT MS you'll be able to find your local MS society chapter. from them you can get lots of info on MS and a list of drs in your area.

IF you have MS it will be important for you to start learning something about the illness. whatever is going on, i believe that knowledge is power. it will help you to be your own best advocate. it will help you to make decisions.

please stick with us. we understand. we'll help you deal with whatever is going on.

Welcome to NeuroTalk!

It's a great community and there are lots of us who know just what you're going through.

I second everything that Judy said. There are also lots of resources available if you need them along the way if you don't have insurance benefits.

Having MS does not equal being lazy. Take care and stick with us, we'll help you through it and we might even make you smile now and then.

Welcome to NT!

As many of us look pretty much "okay," we can relate to the "lazy/crazy" thing. If people only knew how hard we work just to get through each day...

At least here, people do know and they're here to give you all the advice and emotional support you need. You're not alone.

Cheers

Welcome to NT, Kryptonite! Sorry for your troubles, but sounds like MS to me (not a doc though).

I started taking Amantadine about 5 weeks ago to help with fatigue. So far it has helped quite a bit. I mean, I don't roll out of bed ready to set the world on fire, but at least I can accomplish a few things during the day without feeling so "lazy."

Good luck to you. If you do get an MS dx, I expect to see you around here, k?

Hi, and welcome to NT! You will find that there are many friendly, caring, and helpful people here.

I have MS, and I hope to see you on the MS forum.

i would be checking for vit B12 def, and celiac disease/gluten sensitivity