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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject: Possibly have Ms
I have stared at this screen for 5 minutes woundering wether i should talk to yall about myself.
well here goes.
im a 25 yr old female i am about to finish school for PTA (physical therpist assistant)i have a new job waiting for me when im done. but for the last year i have suspected that i have MS. heat makes me fatigued, i have had nerve pain in my arms, my hands forget there holding something and they drop whatever is in them, i mix up my words n a sentance and sometimes i slur. then 2 weeks ago one of my pupils became bigger than the other, it was afferent pupillary defect or marcus gunn pupil a common early symptom of MS, its getting better but tody i woke up with my legs cramped and no amount of massage or stretching makes a diffrence and my knees keep buckling. it all started to get worse as the weather turned hot. i have no health insurance till july i guess ill just have to wait to see a doctor but i thought i would just talk to someone because i dont dare talk to someone face to face. i dont want to lose my future job if i ask them about it.
well thanks for listening any advice would be nice.
I'm afraid i won't be too much of a help right now as I am also a newbie and still have yet to be diagnosed.
And I can't say whether or not I think you have MS, BUT I can tell you that I do know what you're going through! I have had some very sad moments over the past month or so thinking about my future and what it might bring and sometimes the thought of what might be scares me to the point where I'm paralyzed, in a sense. not physically, really, but i specifically remember one night where i was tired after running around all day and not sleeping the night before, it was the first hot day in the city, my vision was really out of whack, i had had a rough week, just moved in to a new apt. all by myself, and of course being the dumbie that i am sometimes i went online to Google and basically convinced myself i would be in a wheelchair by 30. Needless to say, that was a low point. it's embarrassing to say how worked up i got over it when i haven't even been diagnosed yet but i was just in my apt. alone, scared and teary eyed, and i just broke down. Anyway i'm not trying to tell you my sad story to scare you or worry you, but because if it was me, i'd like to know that there was someone else that felt that way. This forum is a great, great place. I believe it was shortly after that incident that I joined here, and I have found more support than I expected. Since that night, sure there are times when i've been scared, but i've been feeling a lot better lately. I don't know why exactly. I'm naturally a very anxious person, and so you can imagine that this possible diagnosis has completely thrown me over the edge. one thing, however, that i do firmly believe in is this: every situation is neutral, and your thoughts and reactions are totally separate from it. Basically it's allll in your attitude and how you react to situations. i read this in a book recently and it sounds simple and common sense but in this time i keep telling myself that over and over again and it has helped a lot. if you're interested, the book is called "A New Earth" by eckhart tolle. NEVER, ever in my life have i been one for those self-help books. I thought they were kind of whacky, but, as in many other things, i thought "Well, if Oprah liked it...." (it's a book in her book club). So i thought i'd give it a try. Couldn't hurt, right? Some of his stuff goes a bit over my head and i don't know if i agree with him on everything as some of it is a bit out there, but i can tell you that it has helped me IMMENSELY these past few months.
anyway, sorry for the novel of a post, but i know what it's like to log on to this site and just hope that someone out there hears you and can reassure you! I don't know if i did that, but i hope some of it helps! The others on this website are much, much more handy as far as the medical side of it!
good luck with it all, and remember: MS or not, your life is not over and you WILL be fine! [/i]
Joined: Apr 21, 2008 Posts: 217 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:13 am Post subject:
Don't feel afraid about posting here and meeting the 'crew'. You'll find great support and knowledge!
Glad you decided to post and tell your story. I'd suggest seeing if you can arrange for your needed appointments now for July (at least when you'll be getting your insurance). Sometimes getting in to see specialists, including neurologists, can take quite a while. If not, well you can just call back when you have your insurance, no biggie! But best you find out now if you'll be waiting, so you can prepare in advance.
Heat can be quite atrocious. Do you have anything to help with cooling yourself? Air conditioning for example? I've heard of the cooling vests but have not seen one myself yet. They sound like they've helped others. I'm unsure of costs etc, but may be something to look into to help cope with the heat. _________________ Dx RRMS March 5, 2008.
bluegem, wow, sounds scary. and having to wait to go to the doc! ugh. i'm really glad you took the plunge and opened up - we're all here to help
if you're interested in the supplement angle in the meantime, let me know. dim and cheerleader know a fair bit about that too.
you have some issues i have not tackled before, but perhaps i can help with some, and read up on the new stuff, while you wait for your insurance to kick in.
HI. Welcome to the forum. Well done for taking the plunge - that first post isn't easy, Neither is actually admitting that you think something might be wrong. Hope we can be of some help - I'm a relative novice myself still but it's a great place to find info and support, especially if you're going to have to wait until your insurance kicks in.
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: thanks
thanks for your words of welcome and advice im looking forward to meeting you all any advice on treatments and whatnot would be greatly appreciated.
im scared about the future but i guess we all are. i am just going to take it one day at a time i just wished my eyes diddnt look so freaky. but in a way im kind of glad they do look strange and other people can see it, because it just means that its not just in my head and im not just imagining it.
in other news less depressing stuff about me. im 25 i have a 6 year old son i am about to graduate from a physical therapist assistant program in 4 weeks. i love to play world of warcraft with my family, mom dad and brother all play. i also love to read so i will give that book a try thanks for the recomendation, try stones by the river its another of oprahs book club reads, and snowflower and the secret fan is also a good book.
and again thanks for your support i hope to get to know you all in the future
bluegem
Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 679 Location: southern California
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:
Bluegem...
I know you don't have health insurance yet, but is there any way you can see a family doctor/general practitioner/local clinic and just get a thorough physical? I'm concerned you may have something else going on that might not be MS, and shouldn't wait until July. If you have some blood tests and talk to the doctor about your symptoms, you can keep all of this confidential. It does not have to affect your future employment or insurance.
Your health really can't wait a couple of months, especially with your pupils being different sizes- this is called anisocoria...this can signal an bleeding in the brain, brain tumor, glaucoma or a serious infection. Not to scare you more, but I don't think you should wait any longer!
please keep us posted and we all hope for quick answers for you,
best,
AC _________________ Husband diagnosed RRMS March 2007
pursuing endothelial healing
Copaxone, Swank, supplements, laughter
I am with cheerleader on this one. From the first time I read your post I have thought that your symptoms do not sound like MS and I am very much opposed to people self diagnosing themselves. It sometimes takes a Board Certified Neurologist years before he can make such a diagnosis.
There are over 400 neurological diseases, many of which can be diagnosed with real tests, unlike MS which is diagnosed through a process of elimination.
If you have a family physician, you need to see him as soon as possible.
You may not have any insurance, but life just sucks sometimes and waiting for a few months to find out if you have something serious going on is not the best thing for you now. I would hope that you have a parent that might be able to help you with the doctor bill or perhaps your community has a program for people without insurance.
Usually the insurance companies will make new employees wait for coverage at least 30 days after beginning work, so if you wait it may be August at the earliest before you could use the new insurance.
the place im going to work at is where i did my internship they informed me that my insurance will start in july becuse i start in june (the last day of june) i went to the eye doctor and he checked the pressure in my eye and it was fine. but i ended up with the diagnosis of Afferent pupillary defect (the light impulse is not reaching my brain correctly and perceves the light dimmer than the other eye it can be a veriant of ON) he set me up with an oppointment to see a neuro opthamologist but i could not afford the money due at the office on the day of the appointment so i canciled it. i have been a student for almost 3 years now im a bit short of cash as you can imagine. im going to have to wait however i live in a small area with alot of health care in the area i shouldn't have to wait long to get an mri if they order me one. i am also a PTA i have been trained to look for warning signs in patients and i see them in myself, too much education can be a bad thing
and even if i don't have a diagnosis of MS its still good to talk to others about my fears.
well anyway good night all
heya bluegem, if you want to be doing something in the meantime, it's kind of a pain without bloodwork, but a good quality multivitamin/multimineral plus a strong b-complex and some extra magnesium might do you some good.
the magnesium in particular should help with the muscle spasms at least - i've read that magnesium has been used to treat tetanus even.
when my hands used to forget what they were holding, and my knees would buckle, i had big improvement from a few days taking so much b-complex it was crazy. about the equivalent of 3 b100s per day, plus extra thiamine, vitE, C, and lecithin. i had been taking b12 and it wasn't sticking - adding the rest of the complex in therapeutic doses really helped. plus you have to eat a lot of protein on that particular regimen.
i haven't had the slurring/mixing problems you're having, and i'm not really sure if i've come close to optic neuritis or not, but that does sound scary. would your folks agree with you waiting to get checked out? sounded like a good suggestion to consider help from family, or even friends, to tide you over.
Joined: Apr 21, 2008 Posts: 217 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: Re: thanks
bluegem wrote:
i love to play world of warcraft with my family, mom dad and brother all play.
I played beta and about 6 months after launch. MMORPGS are one of the BEST distractions when dealing with the crud MSers deal with in my opinion. You can totally immerse yourself in fantasy land, talk with others, and leave your problems at the door. It's great!
I play Dark Age of Camelot myself now. I had played before WoW, and went back to DAOC. _________________ Dx RRMS March 5, 2008.
Joined: Nov 24, 2007 Posts: 69 Location: South Germany
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:35 am Post subject:
Like most Europeans I find it unbelievable that people can go through life without health insurance.
Insurance seems to be optional in the US. Well, perhaps you could go out this very minute and get some? Is there a reason why not? If you wait till you are diagnosed with whatever it is you have, they may not want to take you. _________________ Bibo ergo sum
make sure your Dr. does NOT dx you on paper until you have insurance!
In addition to this, I would go in for a routine yearly physical in July and keep my mouth shut about these symptoms you are having unless asked.
That way the insurance company should not limit your coverage because you were aware of a pre-existing condition. Some insurance companies, especially those that cover government workers and large companies, waive pre-existing conditions. I have no idea what the policy is for your soon to be insurer.
Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: hi
bluegem wrote:
howdy
the place im going to work at is where i did my internship they informed me that my insurance will start in july becuse i start in june (the last day of june) i went to the eye doctor and he checked the pressure in my eye and it was fine. but i ended up with the diagnosis of Afferent pupillary defect (the light impulse is not reaching my brain correctly and perceves the light dimmer than the other eye it can be a veriant of ON) he set me up with an oppointment to see a neuro opthamologist but i could not afford the money due at the office on the day of the appointment so i canciled it. i have been a student for almost 3 years now im a bit short of cash as you can imagine. im going to have to wait however i live in a small area with alot of health care in the area i shouldn't have to wait long to get an mri if they order me one. i am also a PTA i have been trained to look for warning signs in patients and i see them in myself, too much education can be a bad thing
and even if i don't have a diagnosis of MS its still good to talk to others about my fears.
well anyway good night all
Bluegem,
I am curious to know more about your pupil problem. You said you have a marcus-gunn pupil, or afferent pupillary defect. Who told you this? You really cannot diagnose an APD without observing carefully the pupil reactions to light. Just because one pupil gets larger than the other does not mean you have an APD or MS. Yes, an APD is certainly expected with optic neuritis, but it can happen for other reasons. Also, if one pupil is larger than the other, an eye doctor needs to assess it. The first thing I would do would be to look at pupillary reactions to light, both with direct and consensual stimulation. If the pupil is not constricting to light you may have what is called an Adie's Tonic pupil. There is a simple test to confirm this.
Ok, this is alot of probably useless information for you, but the reason I type it is because I want to caution you against self-diagnosisng a pupillary anomaly. Get checked by a professional.
As far as health insurance goes, I was already diagnosed when I took a job in the practice I am currently at. At least here in Texas I could not be turned down for a pre-existing condition in a group health plan. Hopefully it will be like this with your future employer.
On another note: I play World of Warcraft way too much! I have a lvl 70 hunter named Rebif on the Staghelm server
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