Hey all...well...
The neuro spent at least an hour with me and DH, asking lots of questions, testing relfexes...
he said I have all the bells and whistles where sxs are concerned to say I have MS, but the MRIs from the last 2 yrs (last one taken 9/07) and the lumbar puncture still haven't confirmed it...no new lesions, clear fluids.
Soooo...he is ordering a new MRI of my head and neck; 3day IVSM, with a 15 day taper of prednisone after that, followed by copaxone...
At lunch afterwards, I asked my DH how he felt about it all...he's worried about the side effects of steroids...but hopes that the sxs will stop increasing. He asked how I felt...I said strangely relieved...I want to stop the sxs, too. I want a better quality of life...and if these meds will help that, I will be satisfied.
The reason that the doc can't definitively state that I have MS is that the insurance co. will look at the tests and MRIs and won't pay for any ABCs. They'll pay for copaxone, but not other drugs. And when the doc told my DH how much they cost per month, my DH gave a "wow...":eek:
Question: what are some of the things I need to know about copaxone? How has it worked for those of you who use it? Side effects? etc...
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I thanked the doc profusely for his time...I finally felt listened to...:):)

Thanks to all of you who have read my rants and supported me...you're all great:hug:

Debbie, question for you..as I am always in cogfog...and dont recall...so do you have some lesions or anythign showing on any MRIs?? or clear MRIs but all the sxs...?? jsut curious...and hgussss good luck...and glad this neuro took you in so quick and what a great response....hugssss


well all...just about to bundle up for a short walk...I used to walk daily all the time....from warm days to deep winter cold days...2 miles a day...this was just few years ago...like under 4 years ago....I am sooo way out of shape...and miss the walks...I can still walk but for a few latest years..if summer time..had to go slower than I like to make sure I didnt start to overheat..and get sxs....(I always now take cell phone with me anyhow..for safety)
then over time...I got frustrated with tryin to walk slower paced walks..hehe....then just got too many times of flares of whatever I frick ing..have....that too worn out..to usually tihnk of exercise on top of work..

but I miss the fresh air aspect, and taking the time...so going to take a small walk....it helps the mind too....

also trying to find a way to get some weight lifting...(I mean little handweights hehe) and some yoga in my weeks....I gotta do SOMETHING..my body is just flabbing out..not sure due to my age...or just lack of exercise....I know I am on feet so much at work..but still my body is flabbing out...

doesnt help to be gained a bit of weight on the latest meds...in summer and now....well gonna go before it gets dark...hugss all, sarah

(thanks debbie for the info...here or in PM...thanks)

sure sounds like he is treating you for MS, hope tjhe meds help Deb:hug:

hiya maddiemporgj]0qi8htqjhgyqe
pri9yj\
e53q[pohg;MBknip;tok;mhyng'ouil5j
po[gkmjw45e
9pokg['aer
jpgiok lol figure she will understand what i typed

deb should be surprised when she gets home I got busy this afternoon and set up a gift from an angel

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...18-08_1539.jpg

Dear Frank,
alkjfdalk dal;fjasg ga..ga fdalkjoeiwg...asflasdjfjfllffffffffaoooooowwww
lmmmmmmmmkkkkkvvvvhbbbklnf

falkjljlkjjjjjjjjjgggggg love and hugs, from Maddie and Ciara:)

(they understood your message so well!!) hmmm wondering if Frank said something silly about me....hmmm I bet I will never know!!

Debbie will be surprised for sure...cool..:wink:

Well all
I took a short refreshing walk in the cool cold air...felt good...really good...my feet now are numb/tingling...but hey I am used to that hahhaa

hugss all, sarah

ooooooooooooooh !!!

long day here... early morning market, fed da critters, then off to Spanish Lookout for sacks of feed, sundries, tools, and hay.

at the feed mill, we ran into some good friends, and that led to a lunch date at the Mennonite all-you-can-eat-buffet.....

good solid German comfort food, ahhhhhhhh!

green salad, creamy pasta, cheesy scalloped potatoes, meatballs, chicken, oh, that was fun, and filling too!

then, errands all along the way home (bills, mail, shopping, etc.)

got home just in time to sell a dozen chicks to a neighbor, then it was time to feed all the critters again...

got everything done, and now it's dinner time, and I never got a nappy-bye!

my friends mentioned that they noticed I'm walking pretty well today...

:D

and I'm all: "That's because the weather's cool."

so, I made it through the whole day, and I'm still smiling.

betcha I sleep GOOD tonight!

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...c/DSCF0288.jpg
imagine my suprise when i arrived home after dark to this all beautifully arrainged and lit up ... it is so cool ... gonna get some hay to spread over my flower beds and gonna put some of it in the manager area ... gonna get a star and attach to the top of the manager shed .... now i can't wait to see it with snow all around it ... hehehe ... let it snow...let it snow .... let it snow .... well let it snow just a little bet

ahhhhhhhhhh Frank it DID make her day..yeahhhh

well all, I loved my short walk earlier, and been getting me in a playful mood with the kids...I dont get down and just play as often anymore...I guess age..or on puter too much...hehe

really once I get on this site...I keep reading and reading...so again, if I am not on more than once a day..or if I go missing....it is only due to trying to slow up on the puter use....I say this every so often then haha sneak into the habit..hehe...

I will be on...but when kids are busy already, or sleeping, or what not...but I want to try to read less about MS...less about neurological stuff..less about any medical stuff like I read...and take more time to smell the roses...or make snowangels in this case..lol...

well on my way to bed, :eek:wow 9pm and I feel like it is midnt...that is lame...my body is just not doing well...numbness still a mixing it up...but the good news....going to my bed with the youngest two to snuggle...and my 9 year old will join us and read to us...:winky: gotta focus on how much this stuff means to them....as sometimes I say naaaaa cause feeling lousy...

but they grow up too fast, and I will miss the fun times..if I dont take them and enjoy it...even if tired or whatever...I can rest while they snuggle goof around and read.....

well rambling now...and I hear them getting ready for MY bed..hehe...

I miss the days way back when ..when hubby and I both worked days and had evenings together with the kids....way back when we had three kids and living in MA>...hehe...I also think he is in a bummer mood...tired of working a blahhh job in small town..as there isnt more jobs..that could be more exciting.....he misses MA I think...I do to at times.

Anyhow, if not on too much...dont miss me too much..just me trying to enjoy and focus more on family time...and outdoor walking some...maybe yoga...weights...taking care of my body...and soul...

hugss all, sarah:grouphug:

Good Morning everyone! It's very cold here this morning. And I have company here on my lap.....Tigger has decided that it's warmer here than in my bed...:rolleyes: If he doesn't quit "kneading" my leg, though, he's gonna have to find a new place to stretch out.

I had a strange new sx wake me up this morning and it's quite painful. :( It must be nerve pain but the left side of my head and face is affected and it's very sensitive to anything touching it....and every now and then I get this stabbing "ice pick" sensation that nearly makes me cry! :eek: Hopefully it'll pass before too long. Ive taken some Ibuprofen and will go back to bed after everyone leaves for the day.


Frank & Deb....your manger scene is beautiful. Do you put lights on the house, too? We used to but I haven't done it in years now. It's really quite a job! Oh, and Frank.....don't forget your cane if you go anywhere today!! :p

Kay....sounds like you had a wonderful day. Your lunch sounds delicious! I still doubt I could keep up with you but once I got used to the routine I might be able to! You just do what you gotta do...

Sarah...I totally understand your need to spend time with your kids. They grow up so fast. And I've found that I feel better if I don't concentrate so much on what's wrong with me (now that would be time consuming!:o) as I do with what's right in my life. It doesn't mean that the wrong things aren't there anymore...it's just that there's only so much I can do about it and if I concentrate on more positive things I tend to feel better about the negative things I have no control over. But....I have a dx so that makes it a little easier to deal with. I pray you can get some relief from your sx and are able to find a good balance of work and family. :hug:

Everyone else....Barb, DebbieD, Fin, Sandy & Jim, Tara, Vonn, Tricia, B2Y, Cindy, Renee, DM, Sox, Char....I hope I didn't miss anyone.....:grouphug: to everyone.

Good morning all, just about ready to head off for work. Well, after I get dressed.

Praying for you already, Kelly. Is it trigeminal neuralgia? I had a short bout with that early on, before I even knew it was a symptom of anything. I remember thinking I wouldn't want to have that last very long...

I spoke with my boss yesterday, and he is making arrangements for my last day to be December 5. :( I am already a basket case. I haven't told any of my customers, or even my colleagues except for my clerk and the one I borrow from another office. Haven't even told my son (maybe I won't, unless he asks).

But if my boss is starting to make arrangements, word will get around, and there are people that I don't want to hear through the grapevine. I don't want to tell anybody.

My daughter thinks I should have some kind of recognition, but right now I'm feeling: "Great idea! Let's have a big PARTY and celebrate the fact that I can't do my JOB anymore!" Where is the sarcastic smiley?

Aww...B2Y....it's sad when we have to leave our "work family". I remember saying that I used to spend more time with them than I did my own.

Even though it was tough to leave....and it wasn't my choice (MS made it for me).....I think I've adjusted pretty well. My job was very high stress and that is the part I don't miss. Not even for a second.

I still keep in touch with the people I worked with....and it's even better now 'cos I have the time to chat with them...not just pass their desk and not even have the time to stop and speak.

I hope you can make the transition easily and find that it's really a refreshing break from the same old same old. Make a list of all the things you've wanted to do but couldn't because of the job. It's fun! :hug: