Multiple Sclerosis………………how do you even wrap your mind around that?

I had been having some right-sided numbness and optic neuritis and I went to the ophthalmologist who told me he thought I had MS. I told him he must be CRAZY. I left it alone, but then a few months later developed tingling, tremors and numbness and at the insistence of the eye doctor and my primary, was sent for an MRI. I was very much in denial. I didn't think there was any way I possibly had this disease. I went for the MRI just to shut them all up. Last week I got the results…….I have MS. I have quite a few lesions on my brain, and the radiologist sent it out over the internet to be read by a neuro-radiologist at John's Hopkins. The doctor read it and sent him the results while I was still there, and he confirmed the diagnosis of MS. My head was spinning, and I turned pale as a ghost. I hid under the covers for a few days, and then got off my butt and decided that if I was going to be depressed, I might as well get on the computer and do some research and that’s how I found this site.

And to add insult to injury, I have an L5/S1 herniated disc from an auto accident back in the spring of 2007 and was able to get through it with a good chiropractor and an excellent Yoga for back pain program. Around a month ago the pain returned and was shooting down my legs. I had an MRI and it showed a large focal disc herniation at L5/S1 and mild disc degenerative disease with moderate stenosis and neuroforaminal narrowing.

I found a good neurologist who specializes in MS and I’m seeing her today to discuss treatments. I’m just feeling so overwhelmed right now but glad to have found this site and I hope to make some new friends.

Hello Happy, sorry about the MSbs, there are a number of us who also share in this wonderful illness. here is a link to the MS forum http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

you may note we also have a sub forum called the stumble inn where we tend to relax more, feel free to post your questions concerns and worries you may have, folks here do not bite and are so helpful.

you are at the hardest time with MS the beginning, so many things flood our minds, that is the first item to control is the anxiety, do not be afraid to ask docs for something to help take that edge off, cause anxiety equals stress and stress and MSbs do not mix, start keeping a journal of symptoms things you did to bring it on or not done, questions you may have for doctors, all these minor things will help you adjust and thats all it is an adjustment, some degrees minor some major, but you have an illness not a death sentence. it is manageable and it does require diligence by oneself, which will take time, all of us here with MS had this adjustment period. So dont fear you are not alone, here are a couple more links one for the spinal and back pain forum

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html


here is one for the Occipital Neuralgia and other Cranial Neuralgias forum

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum105.html

and this is for the social chat where all walks of life come to meet and chat

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum35.html

Again welcome to NT, if you have any questions at all do not hesitate in asking, you are not alone, you have found a site with many allies, hang in there

Good morning! Sorry for your MS diagnosis, but glad you found us!

Just wondering: are we related? (Happy Feet/Twinkletoes???) Maybe cousins?

I understand...glad you found this site, there are spineys here also. I have injuries from rear end collison 8/04. Cervical and Si joint issues..and all the other emotional damage that goes with job loss, function loss....

Having a site like this means you'll never be alone...and many here will help you through the rough times

welcome to neurotalk ... there are lots of friendly and supportive people here so jump right in and start posting ... should you need help, don't hesitate to ask someone ... we are here to help ... again ...

Hi Happy Feet, and welcome to NeuroTalk! There are lots of nice and helpful people here.

I usually hang out at the MS forum, myself. Hope to see you there.

Never thought of it that way

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. It feels so warm and toasty in here. I have a lot to learn to navigate my way around here. When I posted yesterday I didn't see it and figured I did something wrong. I guess it takes time to show up.