Pleez need encouragement

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:37 pm

Been feelin really bad fortwo days. cant hardly even type. called neruro and he will give me a script for rebif tomorrow. havent had anything yat. starting to realize the severity of my situation. feel like i have fever, achy skin. vertigo,. blurred vision. sick 2 my stomache havent eatin in two days. will this go away alittle with the rebif? Thanks

Artifishual · Post by **Artifishual** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:46 pm

I don't know anything about rebif Bubba, but I will be praying for you. Hang in there! arti

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:50 pm

Bubba,

I hate to tell you but the Rebif will not help what is getting you down right now. Are you sure you don't have the flu or a virus on top of the MS?

Hang in there,

CF

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:14 pm

Bubba--This is my familiar suggestion, you may find something helpful. As I have said to others, you are at the beginning of a long, tough journey. It is completely normal to be scared. I think it is important to determine your starting position with a thorough physical examination. Tell your doctor about ALL your symptoms, We hope you have found a caring medical professional to be a partner in this journey.

As to treatment, I am not a believer in any of the CRABs, based on my own experience with C (Copaxone), no experience with R (Rebif), a long 7 years with A (Avonex), and 4 years of B (Betaseron). In my opinion, these drugs were of no benefit to me. My doctor says, "But we don't know how bad you would be right now if you hadn't taken them." You must work with your own doctor, develop your own opinion of the CRABs.

In brief, here is the action plan I suggest to you:

First, take a deep breath.

Second, start your personal MS library with two books: "Multiple Sclerosis: The History of a Disease" by T. Jock Murray, OC, MD and I think "The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book" by Roy Swank, MD, PhD and Barbara Dugan is the good second book to have.

Third, have a thorough physical exam and ask for any kind of blood test possible (including a fasting serum insulin test--I am known at this website to be obsessed with insulin!). If you have an MRI, ask that the radiologist make a special note of the sinuses. Many with MS report sinus problems (including myself). Ask for a copy of all your test results for your own file.

Fourth, from this day forward, eat a healthy diet. In my opinion, this means removing all sugar (including beer, wine, etc. which have sugar), all artificial sweeteners (These promote insulin production, too.), all trans fats (These also increase insulin.), and white flour (in fact, all carbs so far as possible) from your diet. Taking an active role in some respect with this disease makes me feel that I have not lost ALL power.

Loobie · Post by **Loobie** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:55 am

Sorry to hear Bubba. I agree with PK that an anti anxiety like a diazepam or xanax may help in the short term. Rebif, or any MS meds for that matter, don't 'actively' treat symptoms and they apparently take months to get entrenched. Maybe a short course of steroids? That may make your anxiety worse, but don't quote me on that. I wish you well dude. It sucks and is scary when you start to feel it.

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:51 am

These are all good suggestions, Bubba. Lew's right about the steroids. An IV solumedrol course got my husband back to walking and knocked his symptoms back 90%. He's been progression free since his first flare. The disease modifying drugs won't do that, but they will hopefully keep you from progressing faster. Hopefully so can diet, nutrition, exercise and prayer. I'll be sending mine along with the others.
Hang in there-
AC[/list]

patientx · Post by **patientx** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:00 am

Bubba,

From what little I know, the fever, achy feeling and stomach sickness are not usual symptoms of MS (vertigo and blurred vision are). So, you might have something else going on, or as some suggested, it might be anxiety. But one thing is for sure - Rebif won't make these symptoms go away overnight. The CRABs aren't like taking an aspirin. If you are having an exacerbation, IV steroids are really the thing that will give you short-term relief.

In one of your other posts, you mentioned that you were going for a 2nd opinion at USF. Not sure when this is, but I would keep that appointment. Being that they have an MS center there, it's probably a good place to check out.

robbie · Post by **robbie** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:05 am

If you are having an exacerbation

steroids bubba

LR1234 · Post by **LR1234** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:53 am

Bubba, I have just been given 5 days methylpredisone (or something like that) 500mg a day. (a couple of weeks ago) My feet and ankles were totally numb and after the steroids they are 90% back to normal.
I then got back on my dairy/wheat free diet and am eating lots of healthy Veg/chicken soups and olive oil, rapeseed oil, fish etc I feel I am out of the relapse now. Believe me the last 2 months have been hell with one relapse after the other but you will get through it....just take care of yourself! I would recommend the recovery diet book by anne sawyer, the best bet diet (avilable online free) Ashton Embry and Taking control of multiple sclerosis George Jelinek. I don't follow everything they all say or I would have nothing to eat but the main thing for me is Dairy and chocolate these really effect me and I keep an eye on my saturated fats.

Good luck!

skydog · Post by **skydog** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:10 am

Hello Bubba
Keep focused on the positive. Smile and laugh off adversity. Diet is a big issue with us. Get the newest addition of the Swank Diet. Pretty easy to adapt too. Don't give up anything you like to do. Go fishing !!! Eat more fish. Keep the BBQ going and enjoy. I gave up the beer but gladly hand them out to my friends too enjoy. I also eat far less red meat now but like BBQ for others. We have a small oyster farm. So oysters are served at most of our gatherings. Whishing You the Best. Mark P S did you get the pictures I sent of our BBQ ?

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:02 pm

You hang in there, Bubba.
Will be thinking of you.

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:27 pm

THANK YOU all very much for your support during my non-episode

. I went to bed last night and slept 14 hours. Woke up soaked in sweat, and I mean soaked. Fever broke. Went to the Neuro today and he said I had a virus, nothing to do with MS. I promise yall, I do not panic easy, but I thought I was dying sun & mon. Right now I feel pretty good. We got the paperwork done today to send off for the Rebif! Neuro didnt want to hear my questions about LDN nor the Providgil. Oh well. At least that virus spell is OVER!!!!! Thanks Again!!!!

Artifishual · Post by **Artifishual** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:39 pm

maybe your dr did not want to hear about the other meds because you starting rebif bubba, but if he is just being an asshole then you might want to look for a new dr. i use provigil and it is very common practice for neurologists to prescribe for fatigue.

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:14 pm

I go to the USF Dept. of Neurology on 4-24 and I would be inclined to believe they might prescribe it for me. It is a commonly prescribed drug, I dont know what his problem was. When I told him that I was no longer taking the Detrol he prescribed, but instead was self cathing, (per my urologist) my neuro went ballistic! Then he prescribed me Prozac????

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Pleez need encouragement

Pleez need encouragement

Action plan for Bubba