This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi there... I was diagnosed in September after pretty severe symptoms landed me in the hospital back in May of this year. I'm still in shock and denial I think. I'm having a very hard time adjusting to the news. MRI results show very small lesions in my brain that cannot definitively be called MS lesions unless there is strong clinical correlation... what the heck does that mean? C-spine MRI shows one lesion consistent with MS. My doctor feels what I had back in May is a CIS and is pretty confident in calling it MS. She's starting me on Copaxone, the nurse is coming this weekend to show me how to administer it. I'm scared to death! Most of my symptoms are now gone with the occasional one popping up ever so slightly when I'm stressed or overheated. And since I was given the diagnosis all I've done is stress and worry and cry.

So, just wanted to say hello and was hoping to find some words of encouragement and support on here.

D

Hi dnsmith19,

We all have been in your shoes......diagnosis is different for everyone as far as how they take it. I thought I would reply to your post seeing as how I dealt with it the same way as it seems you are. I cried and cried for weeks, but I think it's like grieving really....just part of the process. Then I went into a long stage of denial.....over a year I avoided going on any drugs as I thought maybe it wasn't MS, maybe they were wrong. I paid for that big time in August of this year. I woke up with an enormous headache, and all of a sudden throughout the day the left side of my face got more and more numb from my chin to the back of my head. I was scared and made an appointment with my GP the next day. I woke up in the morning feeling 10 times worse, I had severe vertigo that caused me to throw up profusely. My hubby was a few hours away at work so my dad came to rush me to the ER. I was put on a high dose of prednesone and given IV zofran for the dizziness. I went home and laid in bed for 4 days. I was severely depressed as my children couldn't understand why mommy couldn't play or read stories. I sstill have some facial numbness and balance issues more than a month later, but it's getting better. I started my copaxone injections on October 7th, and I'm staying positive because after having lost my independence for a few days, I realize how much we take for granted. I still have some doubts about my diagnosis, but realized that I want to have a good quality of life and be active with my kids as long as possible. Anyway just realized I've been rambling but hope it helps a little take care and good luck on the copaxone!!

Hey dns,

Just curious as to how your Copaxone injections are going??