New Diagnosis

[farley]

Hello everyone,

I'm was diagnosed with MS on June 20. It's been a real shock, because although I've had problems with extreme fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, twitches, blurred vision, dizziness, and difficulty with concentration and memory, and have been worked up for everything under the sun in the last five years, (or so I thought), nobody ever mentioned MS. I went to the doctor in June with what I thought was the worst sinus headache I've ever had. It was left sided and the worst pain I've ever experienced. My PCP wanted an MRI to rule out a tumor since the pain was so bad. It came back showing multiple white matter lesions consistent with MS. He sent me to a neuro, who examned me, took a history, looked at my MRI and said "you have MS." I'm having a lumbar puncture on Wednesday, but he's pretty sure, and said the LP is just to confirm.

On the one hand, I feel vindicated, because I was beginning to think maybe I was just a 50-ish, menopausal, depressed, overweight, inactive hypochondriac, and that losing weight, and getting some exercise really WOULD cure me.

On the other hand, now I have this disease to deal with, and it's sort of blown us away. My husband (who was thinking along the hypochondriac lines, and still does a little bit), is scared to death. We've been talking a lot about it, and I know that's a good thing. We have three boys, all grown, two of them still at home, and they don't want to discuss it at all.

I know it's not the end of the world and there's lots of worse things I could have. (Four years ago a neuro told me I had ALS ... then changed his mind). I'm worried about affording the medications, as we have no prescription coverage, and are financially strapped right now. I'm worried about not being able to work. We have a home based business that is our sole support, it's not doing well, and there is no way I can cut back my work hours. I just feel like this is all a bad dream.

So, I was very happy to find this forum. I need to learn a lot, and it looks like this is a good place to get started.

Thanks for listening.

[Arron]

Hi Farley, welcome to the site, although I wish you didn't have any reason to be here... you are among friends.

[EyeDoc]

Welcome to the community. We don't choose MS. It chooses us. Understand that all the certainty and fear you are feeling is normal. We have all been through it, and at least in my own personal case, I have uncertainty and fear almost daily.

Everything will work out in the end. If you truly have MS you will make adjustments like the rest of us and then continue on with your daily life. Keep up hope

[jimmylegs]

i feel for u farley! the scary time was nasty. mine was earlier in 2006. this is a great place to learn and find your comfort zone. you will also find lots of alternative management information here that is less expensive than the standard drugs. probably not all will resonate with your case but you should be able to find something that clicks. best of luck with your search! we are all here for u.

[REDHAIRANDTEMPER]

FARLEY,
know excatly what ya are feeling..its hard my kids are younger but its still hard for them to want to talk about it..but here is the best place to be it ya have anything to vent about or feel frustrated..these guys are wonderful and have helped me the most..so welcome to our wonderful group here...

chris

[mick_b]

Hi Farley –
Just read your post about having an LP (spinal tap). I hope it went ok. I’ve had a couple, one gave me a headache. I got dx’d in 2001. I went through all the stages (denial, guilt bargaining etc.) about 10 times each but eventually you make changes and things get sorted out a bit.

The people here are great and we're all in the same boat.

Hang in there,
Mick

[Grumpster]

Farley,

I just found this site too. I have been on it daily since. We are all dealing with the same thing, denial came first but then with diagnosis confirmed i hit depression and anxiety. I am still hovering in that zone. I am 36 year old male diagnosed 4 years ago.

My best advice is get on some drug therapy and try to limit MS progression

Grumpster

[Arron]

Just wanted to say hello and welcome, Grumpster.