A paradigm shift?
 

I recieved a call from the Neurologist at work yesterday afternoon to let me know that he had reviewed all of my history, labs, MRI's, spinal tap etc, and said that he would like to have me start on a treatment plan. He said that he would like to talk with me in person, and then asked if I could come in that afternoon! Of course I said I would, as his office is about 6 miles from my job, so my husband and I were in his office within 30 minutes.

We sat down with him and he went through the pro's and con's of the medications and said that the two he would want me to consider are Rebif and Copaxone. He was leaning to Copaxone, but wanted me to make the decision. I decided that Copaxone would be the one.

His nurse will be ordering my copaxone on Monday, and once delivered to my home I will go in to see the nurse so she can teach me how to inject myself.

Now, quite honestly......I am feeling unusually relaxed about all of this. Maybe because I can finally just "get on" with it and stop all the worrying and wondering about what the next steps were going to be.

Yes, I feel that having a diagnosis of MS sucks and yes, I wish I didn't have to hear those words, but I also feel that I am extremely blessed to be doing as well as I am, especially with all of the suffering that is going on in the world.

I feel like my life has just made a complete "flip" since yesterday....I can't explain it, but I have such a strong conviction that this diagnosis is going to open my life up to a world of new opprtunities.....how does that happen? It was as if the light was turned on and I can see more clearly. I don't think I am in denial, because I understand what is going on, but I feel like I have just had a major "pardigm" shift.

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

I never went through that period because my symptoms and diagnosis was so sudden for me. But knowing what it is and knowing that you are going to injection yourself is just so empowering!

I think that even those of us who are lucky enough to be doing well come to realize that our life could change at any minute. But really, it's the same for people who aren't in our situation! Wrapping my head around that concept has been very meaningful to me. I'm sure there are other things but that's the first thing that comes to my mind. And I DO find that empowering because it motivates me to take control of the things I CAN control as long as I am able. (Well, on a good day -- I admit that I can still get pretty lazy! :p)

I really like Dr. Parry and it was because of your recommendation that I had the fortune to meet him! :hug: I believe in Karma....and therefore believe that good things will come your way for your kindness!
:Thanx:

I'm just really glad you like him and that this all worked out for you! :hug:
The Copaxone shots aren't bad. I had them for awhile, and while the daily thing could get old at times, the shots themselves weren't particularly painfull..I used the autoject, which made it even easier (I didn't have to watch..LOL)..

sometimes its empowering just to have some answers. To finally stop chasing answers, and to be able to settle into a diagnosis, and roll up your sleeves poking MS in the eye, instead of chasing one medical test after another, and getting told to go home, and call if things get worse. I found just having the answers was enough to motivate me into action.

I started on Beta, and had to switch to Copaxone after Liver issues. Copaxone can have a bit of a bee sting bite to it during the early days, and I want you to know that it get better. MUCH MUCH MUCH better. I have found that after the injection (using injector or manual doesnt matter) take your cotton ball, and PUSH directly into the injected area. DONT RUB! copaxone is a sharp crystal style med, and rubbing will fracture the crystals. Just PUSH hold FIRM pressure for 15 to 30 seconds. This will push the med from the upper layer of fat, into the deeper layers of fat, where its more easily absorbed.

Many folks find that using a claritin or zyrtec product during the first six months, and maybe some benedryl/hydrocort cream will help with that itch that seems to land on it for for the first lil bit. After about six months, its magic time! its like your body just sort of gives up, and realizes that this stuff is here to stay. It also takes between six months, and a year to build up to a therapuedic level. I of course took longer than the rest.

Copaxone has been a decent drug for me. No flu side effects, no depression, no liver side effects. Its a combo of 4 amino acids, and a sugar based mannitol to keep it stable.

Please come back when you start and let us know how you do. Its so empowering to take charge of your health, and get poking! welcome to the copaxone club. :hug:

Absolutely, Amy. It took a few years of guesswork and mental health accusations before I finally landed with a physician who understood what I was experiencing.

I did shots for 13 years but they no longer work for me. It just becomes part of the routine like brushing your teeth or doing the laundry.

It was literally a relief to finally reach the end of the bizarre odyssey and learn that there is an answer. It was within 2 years that I halted my career, went to freelancing and dedicated my time and energy to full-time living.

After 7 years freelancing, I recognized how much the changes had begun effecting my every day living and I completely stopped working to pursue the things I had planned for retirement.

Man! I am SOOOOOO glad I did it when I did it! I have been progressing steadily for several years now and have come darned close to completing my bucket list. There is no time to lose!

While there are a few things I simply will never be able to do, like the 6-month European backpacking tour, I am very blessed to have been able to carpe my diems with full force. :)

When I first got the DX, I was so relieved we had an answer. Especially since they were first looking for a tumor. Then the limbo merry-go-round. So first reaction was, finally!

Then the first year grief cycle started soon thereafter. I was a mess for a little while, but eventually got out of that.

Copax was my first choice. I was one of the rare ones who got IPIRs, which became too much for me. Otherwise I'd still be on it - been stable for about two years (even in the spinal leisons which was cool) and not much else in side effects. There are site reactions, but those go down over time. Whether it's the bod getting used to the med or finding the right combo of heat/cold that works for you is up in the air.

Best of luck!

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! :hug:

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..:hissyfit: :Crazy 2: :Viking: :rolleyes:

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:rolleyes: