New Member
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 8:21 am
Hi, I'm 49, female, dx'd 10/01 PPMS. Married, 6 grown kids, 3/boys-3/girls, (18-29), 2 granddaughters (2 yrs. old and 2 months old!).
I had just turned 47, it was August and I was ambushed into seeing doctor (I was blowing off what I thought were unrelated, minor symptoms which would go away themselves). I was 'misstepping', double vision, little things, I thought. I knew nothing about MS because I didn't know anyone with it. Had MRI's late Sept., and got immediate dx of PPMS in 10/01, with rapid progression.
I was sent to MS Specialist. Did 16 monthly Cytoxan (chemo) IV. I'm currently on Methotrexate, but don't feel it is slowing progression any. Less than 3 yrs. since dx, but I wear AFO (brace) on right leg, can walk a bit with forearm crutches or 4-wheeled walker. Use W/C for any distance (if I have a pusher), and rent or use scooters where available. I am maxed on spasticity meds and right leg still too spastic, so I have Botox (botulism) injections in it every 3 months. My right hand/arm is weak, numb, with no fine motor left in it, more like a paw (luckily, I'm a lefty). I take a lot of pills 4x a day! Mostly symptom meds (bladder, depression, pain, etc.).
So, I progressed fast, had to educate myself fast, because when I was dx'd, I was clueless. Past denial (my symptoms are with me 24/7), but probably stuck a bit in that anger/bitterness stage. Instead of starting a freer stage of life (youngest going off to college in fall), I'm imprisoned in my own body.[/b][/i]
I had just turned 47, it was August and I was ambushed into seeing doctor (I was blowing off what I thought were unrelated, minor symptoms which would go away themselves). I was 'misstepping', double vision, little things, I thought. I knew nothing about MS because I didn't know anyone with it. Had MRI's late Sept., and got immediate dx of PPMS in 10/01, with rapid progression.
I was sent to MS Specialist. Did 16 monthly Cytoxan (chemo) IV. I'm currently on Methotrexate, but don't feel it is slowing progression any. Less than 3 yrs. since dx, but I wear AFO (brace) on right leg, can walk a bit with forearm crutches or 4-wheeled walker. Use W/C for any distance (if I have a pusher), and rent or use scooters where available. I am maxed on spasticity meds and right leg still too spastic, so I have Botox (botulism) injections in it every 3 months. My right hand/arm is weak, numb, with no fine motor left in it, more like a paw (luckily, I'm a lefty). I take a lot of pills 4x a day! Mostly symptom meds (bladder, depression, pain, etc.).
So, I progressed fast, had to educate myself fast, because when I was dx'd, I was clueless. Past denial (my symptoms are with me 24/7), but probably stuck a bit in that anger/bitterness stage. Instead of starting a freer stage of life (youngest going off to college in fall), I'm imprisoned in my own body.[/b][/i]
, RRMS, and diagnosed less than a year, so I'm in that "educate yourself fast" mode that you mentioned.