Newly Diagnosed - Head Spinning

[osunikki]

I am a 35 year old mother of two under 3. Both of my legs went numb and tingly up to the small of my back. It started in feet and crept up. I have hypothyroidism and have for many years. My question being newly diagnosed are these:

1. I had a spinal and brain MRI. My brain MRI is completely clear - is this MS?
2. My spine did show scarring they believe but the lesions didn't set up "prime" real estate as the recent one did.
3. Is it possible I have been misdiagnosed?
4. If the diagnosis is in fact confirmed MS, what is the Outlook like for someone like me? In retrospect, I may have had an overlooked exacerbation 10 or so years ago (I had some numbness but in my thighs only).

I am clearly scared and working with two neurologists. Being a Mother and wife w/ my family my everything, this is what concerns me. I just want a realistic view of my future - best and worst case.

[dlynn]

Hi osunikki,
Welcome to "This Is MS". You picked the right place to get information. There's alot of caring people here to help you and answer your questions. I was 35 also, when I was diagnosed, and very scared. My symptom was right sided tingling sensations. But 17 yrs prior, I had double vision and an MRI wasn't available to me back then so no MS dx.
Looking back, I'm happy I wasn't dx'd so young, it saved me 17yrs of worry and DMD's.
I worked full time without any symptoms (thank God) for approx 15 yrs., then I started to progress. My legs are weak and heavy now, I have drop-foot and am very clumsy. I did try the injectables, but the side effects to me, aren't worth it.
I still drive, walk (with a cane or walker), go grocery shopping, etc....
It doesn't stress me out anymore. Over time, I learned to just relax, worry and stress are just not healthy.
I hope this was helpful. (feel free to pm me if you have questions for me)
God bless!!

[jimmylegs]

welcome nikki what i am going to say will surprise no one here at the forum: have the docs test your serum zinc level. it will come back 'normal'. bring the results here, and we'll get you sorted out with a plan for therapeutic zinc replacement.

hypothyroidism is connected with suboptimal zinc status and pregnancy is a major zinc drain. there are an awful lot of ways to deplete zinc status via diet also.

i'm going to refer you to another young mom's recent thread and hope you find the outcome encouraging:
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... 19575.html

you might also like to peek at my 'signature' links, if you need some idea where i'm coming at all this from

if you have any questions feel free to ask!

jimmylegs

[osunikki]

Thank you. I perused the thread and will read in its entirety w/in the next few days when time allows (thank goodness my Mom is here helping for a week anyway). I just wanted to say thank you for the reply and support for now. As you can imagine this has all hit me like a Mac truck. I'm happy to have found this forum and the support. I also meet w/ my neuro on the 5th to discuss my spinal tap results and bloodwork results. I then fly to Phx on the 9th to the Barrow Institute to seek my 2nd opinion.

[jimmylegs]

you're welcome, we're glad you're here you need a good resource when you have that old mack truck feelin :S

[bartman]

If I were you I would find a LLMD (or Lyme Literate MD). Educate yourself about the controversy of Lyme and how it is the biggest controversy in the history of medicine and many many doctors believe that MS is caused by Lyme and coinfections Bartonella and Babesia. Search for Dr. Burrascanos Guidelines and read them. And at the very least get on Minocycline which treats MS and Lyme and Bartonella and is very safe and cheap. These infections are spreading like wildfire and are misdiagnosed for over 200 other diseases. visit a lyme disease forum and they will lead you to help.