Hello from Whitehall, NY

Hammer · Newbie Joined: Dec 27, 2007 Posts: 2

I'm 53, Male, newly diagnosed with RRMS, and more than a little scared and confused.

Are there any support groups in upstate NY or in Mid (Rutland area)Vermont? I'm working with Dartmouth Medical Center MS clinic in NH but it is 80+ miles due East. Albany, NY is also about 80 miles due South and they have support programs also. I know if nothing relatively close so far. I'm not on any treatment so far and have huge decisions to make, apparently mostly unguided and alone so far

I have information on Copaxone, Refib, and on a FTY720 Phase III clinical trial to consider. I guess I meet the initial "pre-screening" requirements for the FTY720 trial but I don't know If I should pursue this avenue or not.

Anyone out there have any suggestions, contacts, information or insite. I'm looking on the Internet currently.

Thanks,

Hammer

daverestonvirginia · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:44 am Post subject:

Well you have found a good place to start doing some research with this site. My advice is to slow down take your time and use this site and others to get up to speed on MS. I do all my networking, find my support group help on line, no need to travel anywhere. I believe one of the not so bad aspects of MS is usually things go pretty slowly so there is no need to rush into anything until you feel informed. You will soon find there are very few if any black and white answers when dealing with MS. It took me years to understand that. MS can effect people in many different ways so there is no straight forward one size fits all answers. I believe that actually turns out to be a very hopeful thing, anything can happen.

Lyon · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:08 am Post subject:

Hi Hammer,
Welcome to the site and I'm sorry for the reason you find yourself here.

I have to agree with Dave that this is a good place to start and that you don't need to feel in a terrible rush, despite the fact that getting on a medically accepted treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis is what's being pushed.

My wife has never considered actually joining an area MS group. I don't think she wants to "join a club" and focus on having MS any more than she has to. I think not dwelling on MS has been good for her mental state if nothing else.

If you haven't already noticed, you will soon notice that the reputation of MS is daunting (to put it mildly) but with a little more time and research I think it will become obvious to you that we are on the threshold of major changes and for the first time in history, the past of MS is no longer the peephole into the future of MS.

Bob
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Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.