This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello all.

I'm new to the site, and a little bit (read: a lot) terrified at the moment, while I try to reach out and find some answers for myself regarding MS. I just returned home from a three day hospital stay where 99% diagnosis was made for MS. No lesions found on brain in contrast and non-contrast MRI; pending C-spine MRI (as they think it's originating there, or possibly brain stem) and neuro-ophthalmology assessment within the week.

The events that brought me to this were acute bilateral monocular and binocular diplopia with right hand numbness and progression into fingers and into left hand. I just turned 26 a few days ago, and racially (I'm New Zealand Maori), there's a low MS rate. I've worked in medicine since 17, but shamefully, I'm not all that knowledgeable where MS is concerned.

Looking for answers. Suggestions. Help. What can I expect. What shouldn't I expect. Where to start to embark on this journey.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read. While I might not be able to contribute much now, I hope to in the future.

Thanks
EMT

Welcome! I have been dx for about two months, and it is scary. I can tell you there is tons of reading on the net so just immerse yourself. I have visited many websites but I always came right back here. You can go back and read old posts, and answer aolt of questions you have. As far as reading what you wrote, There were to many $50.00 words in the for me, but I think I understood it! LOL

Hi I am newly diagnosed myself. I just turned 30, and on my birthday when I got home was my first round of injections and my auto injector. It is hard to accept the new of this, and like I said I am new as well. But this site was suggested to me by someone who has had MS for a long time. So first of all I think you have came to the right place for support. I had the same symptoms, mostly numbness in the right side of my body. I have lesions in my brain and my spinal cord. I have recently just taken my injection, like yesterday. So I keep my family close and educate yourself as much as you can.

heya EMT, welcome to TIMS. don't know if we have any other kiwis here
this really is the scariest time, when you're in the midst of the testing process and trying to wrap your head around a new reality.
i strongly second the others in that you have an excellent resource here.
the docs will do the tests and present you with options for treatment depending on your results (obviously).
if you're looking to add an element of control into your day to day, you can consider looking into the diet and nutrition aspect.
check out the forums, fire away with any questions, and if you use the search, i recommend selecting the "posts" option (it defaults to "topics" and then you have to find which page of the topic your search term is on)
what part of NZ are you from? how long have you been in NY?
JL

Hey EMT-
Welcome, and sorry you find yourself here...
Are you an emergency medical technician? My late brother was an EMT for several years, and it was an incredibly stressful job for him....but rewarding.

Everyone's right on. Read up as much as you can, look into diet, nutrition and supplements. Learn what MS is and what it isn't. As a medical professional, you'll be surprised to see how much we don't know about the disease, and how many variables there are. I mention stress in your life, because that is one variable you can control. Diet and exercise and outlook are other things you can control. MS is a daunting diagnosis, but we're all here to help you thru, if it comes to that. Keep asking questions, and get your support network together.
all the best,
AC

Hey, Lesley...welcome to you, too. Maybe start your own thread and introduce yourself.

Wow, thanks guys!

I'm from West Auckland, a sunny little place called Henderson Valley. I came to the US late 2004, and have been here ever since. I work in EMS, and have to admit that the love and support from them is something that I wouldn't have imagined, nor been able to deal with this all, without. My family is all still in New Zealand, and my biggest challenge right now aside from everything else is how to tell my parents. Just another thing I guess!

I've been reading around, and while I have questions I don't know if they're valid yet without a "confirmed" diagnosis. I'm pretty ornery and tenacious, and I can't say that I will put all my fruit in the 99% confirmed bowl. I suppose that attitude makes it especially frustrating for me, because it's hard to chart a map of progression and access when you have a head as stubborn as mine and refuse to advance until it's definitive.

Having said that, I'm learning lots of information for what may be the inevitable diagnosis, and I'm both terrified and hopeful at the same time. I'm mainly interested in what type of MS I may have, because it seems easier to plan attack based on that? I don't really know.

But thank you all for the warm welcomes, and the helpful advice. If there's other Kiwi's around, I'd love to chat. As for diet and the like, it's something I will definitely be looking at now. Thank you all so much

here's a pic of my feet missing the ferry back to downtown from takarunga (or at least i knew i'd never make it in time from up here!)