Newly Diagnosed
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:35 am
Hi all,
I'm a newbie here, as I just got a diagnosis of probably MS yesterday. I believe mine started in 2009, when my left hand began going numb/tingling. My doc passed it off as a pinched nerve, and it went away after a few weeks. Over the years, I've had some periods of extreme fatigue as well. About three weeks ago, my left hand, arm, and side went numb, followed by three of my right fingers. I've had some mild balance and memory issues, weakness, and fatigue as well. My blood test from my PCP came back normal, so he sent me to a neurologist. First neuro was awful-- didn't look at my chart, heard I was a writer, and immediately dismissed the symptoms as carpal tunnel. I listed all my other symptoms and asked if that sounded like carpal tunnel-- uh, no. He ordered an MRI (and a prescription for wrist braces *rolls eyes*).
Had the MRI, and asked for a CD of images. I've got some minor medical background in medical coding, so I was curious. I was shocked that I could actually see obvious lesions myself. I kept telling myself I'm not a radiologist or neurologist, and I had no idea what I was really seeing. Regardless, I went through several days of fear and grief. Went to my follow-up appointment (with a different neurologist) yesterday, and the doc confirmed that I do have probable MS, with multiple large lesions in the brain and spinal cord. Oddly, at that point the diagnosis was a relief-- accompanied by a little shock. I'm still processing it, but feeling pretty hopeful.
I'm going in for an IV infusion of solu medrol next week, and the doctor recommended Rebif for treatment, so I'll start with that.
Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm 28, married with two gorgeous kids (boy, 3; girl, 8 months). I write novels and do contract work writing courses for medical coders. Look forward to meeting you all.
I'm a newbie here, as I just got a diagnosis of probably MS yesterday. I believe mine started in 2009, when my left hand began going numb/tingling. My doc passed it off as a pinched nerve, and it went away after a few weeks. Over the years, I've had some periods of extreme fatigue as well. About three weeks ago, my left hand, arm, and side went numb, followed by three of my right fingers. I've had some mild balance and memory issues, weakness, and fatigue as well. My blood test from my PCP came back normal, so he sent me to a neurologist. First neuro was awful-- didn't look at my chart, heard I was a writer, and immediately dismissed the symptoms as carpal tunnel. I listed all my other symptoms and asked if that sounded like carpal tunnel-- uh, no. He ordered an MRI (and a prescription for wrist braces *rolls eyes*).
Had the MRI, and asked for a CD of images. I've got some minor medical background in medical coding, so I was curious. I was shocked that I could actually see obvious lesions myself. I kept telling myself I'm not a radiologist or neurologist, and I had no idea what I was really seeing. Regardless, I went through several days of fear and grief. Went to my follow-up appointment (with a different neurologist) yesterday, and the doc confirmed that I do have probable MS, with multiple large lesions in the brain and spinal cord. Oddly, at that point the diagnosis was a relief-- accompanied by a little shock. I'm still processing it, but feeling pretty hopeful.
I'm going in for an IV infusion of solu medrol next week, and the doctor recommended Rebif for treatment, so I'll start with that.
Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm 28, married with two gorgeous kids (boy, 3; girl, 8 months). I write novels and do contract work writing courses for medical coders. Look forward to meeting you all.
