Search found 176 matches

by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:57 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: % of people with symptoms that end up with MS diagnosis?
Replies: 5
Views: 1553

MRIs

Given the symptoms mentioned, I would think that a spinal lesion would explain a good percentage of them better than a brain lesion (IF it's MS). My first MRI (brain) found nothing, but there was an obvious lesion in my c-spine. Being only one lesion, it didn't qualify as MS. It was the brain scan a...
by MarkLavelle
Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Possible PP MS?
Replies: 10
Views: 2407

Re: Possible PP MS?

Tumor can never be fully removed due to it's location next to the main artery that runs down the center of the brain. They can excise as much as possible, then follow on radiation of some sort to prevent future growth, depending on if it is benign or cancerous. Thank you for your input. Let me ask ...
by MarkLavelle
Sat Dec 24, 2011 6:55 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: The story of a lucky guy who's got MS
Replies: 2
Views: 1862

The story of a lucky guy who's got MS

That's me - a lucky guy who just happens to have MS. I've got a feeling I'll be around a while, so I might as well introduce myself.... How can I feel lucky? I'm still here, and still able to do all the things I really care about doing. I'm posting now because I've pretty much accepted that I have M...
by MarkLavelle
Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:26 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Possible PP MS?
Replies: 10
Views: 2407

Re: Possible PP MS?

You've probably already heard that every case of MS is different. Upon being told it "looks like MS" just over a year ago, I was sure I must have the primary progressive type because of my age (54) and what seemed to me to be continuously worsening symptoms. But by the time I had a definit...
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:26 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Just got my brain mri
Replies: 14
Views: 6872

Re: Just got my brain mri

Once injected, gadolinium-based contrast agents accumulate in abnormal tissues of the brain and body. This accumulation provides a greater contrast between normal and abnormal tissues, allowing doctors to better locate uncommon cell growths and tumors. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadoliniu...
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:16 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hey, Im new here and kind of the minority
Replies: 14
Views: 4486

Re: Hey, Im new here and kind of the minority

Howdy!, from another newbie guy (55yo, diagnosed 3/2011).

Good luck,
Mark
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:08 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Diagnosis Pending
Replies: 4
Views: 1487

Re: Diagnosis Pending

Something about the medical world turns me into a zombie sheep, so I always bring my wife to important medical appointments, and I strongly recommend bringing a supporter/secretary/advocate (spouse, family member or very good friend) for consultations about anything chronic or life-threatening. You ...
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:52 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: New Member with questions on cost and insurance
Replies: 2
Views: 1235

Re: New Member with questions on cost and insurance

A friend of mine is a surgeon at Kaiser, and I have the strong impression that they've gotten serious about making their system work. None of my co-workers who are on it have expressed complaints. I pay the extra for an 'open access' plan, mainly so I can take my bigger problems (cancer, stroke &...
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:12 pm
Forum: Regimens
Topic: Why did you choose your meds...this is confusing.
Replies: 16
Views: 5885

Re: Why did you choose your meds...this is confusing.

Until you're diagnosed *and* convinced of it (2nd opinion, reading), I would concentrate on living healthy (food, exercise). If/when you have a positive diagnosis, it still doesn't mean you have to start one of those meds. Experienced neuro docs will have opinions about the likely progression of you...
by MarkLavelle
Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:13 pm
Forum: Regimens
Topic: Lower Back Pain
Replies: 12
Views: 7722

Re: back pain

Finally someone that thinks their back pain is related to ms. My nero does not think so but my back went out and then a while later I had an attack. While your back pain may be MS-related, I would still go see a good back doctor if I were you (think physiatrist, sports medicine). You could have mec...
by MarkLavelle
Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:04 pm
Forum: Copaxone
Topic: Copaxone linked to Cancer?
Replies: 7
Views: 13943

Re: Copaxone linked to Cancer?

Melissa, I'm newly diagnosed (March 2011) and I had lung cancer in 1996 with a metastasis to the brain in 1998. I don't know if that counts as having had cancer once or twice, but my Stanford neuro doc said Copaxone was the *only* MS disease-modifying therapy that was safe for someone like me with a...

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