Hi to All from Arizona!

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:19 pm

Hi All,
My name is Beth and I live in Chandler, AZ. I am a 45 year old stay-at-home mom.
I have been lurking for awhile now, and decided to finally jump in. People here seem so supportive, not to mention smart.
My symptoms began this year in February. I had decided to paint the interior of an entire house by myself, I can’t say I am still quite so ambitious. After doing this almost every day for about a month, my hands and stomach became numb. I went to a new PCP and she put me on a huge amount of Advil. A week later, I was in so much distress so I went back in. At this point I couldn’t turn my wrist to open a door and I was driving with my wrists. My hands were so sensitive it was agony to wipe a counter or wash my hair. She sent me to a chiropractor. The chiropractor really did relive some of the pain, but thank goodness, they wanted an MRI. I received a call the evening after the MRI telling me to proceed immediately to the hospital. (Funny, that call came just ten minutes after I had about burned down my house, at least the fire department was gone! I’m guessing brain fog.)
I spent six days at Barrow’s. Despite how nice they are, that wasn’t so good. After release, my neuro really thought I just had a viral thing going on. I had another MRI a month or so later and he changed his dx to atypical ms. I think that is still where we stand.
Now, my hands are still sensitive to varying degrees sometimes mild, and sometimes they are pretty aggravated. My MS hug has pretty much gone away. I think I have some vision dimness, but I’m not sure. I do have some trouble finding words. I am tired. I just don’t have much energy and really miss being more active and my old social life. I don’t think I am heat sensitive, thank goodness since I live in Arizona.
I currently am on Copaxone and watch my diet.
I look forward to getting more involved!

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:27 pm

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:26 am

CRHInv wrote: People here seem so supportive, not to mention smart.

Welcome to this fine forum.. uh, and thank you for the comment!

Although, I wish I were the smart one... Aint dat right Bob?

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:20 am

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:18 pm

This is such a great group of people. The more I read, the more I understand my ms. There are symptoms I have had for years that I didn't even know were related to this. I really appreciate all the information that everyone shares here. Thanks all!

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:27 pm

hey Beth-
Welcome, and although we're all sorry you needed to come on here, we're glad you found TIMS. Keep us posted as to how you're doing, and keep learning.
best,
cheer

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 2:09 pm

Hi Beth!

Welcome to TIMS..we are all sorry that you had to find us. The good news is, we are here for each other. Keep asking questions, keep reading..you will find more information on TIMS than any doctor will ever tell you.

Sharon

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:16 pm

I really have learned so much. Again, thanks.

radar22 · Post by **radar22** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:23 am

I feel the same as you. I was thought I was crazy! The doctors tell u there is nothing wrong with your eyes, vision, pain, dizziness, cognitive- this one psychologist especially tried to tell me my results were fine compared to 10 years ago.

I have found that I am not crazy when I read tims. There are people who have the same symptoms. Its the first time I felt at peace with my symptoms.

Now, for me, the

is. Do I stand around and wait 4 MS to continue to creep into my life or Do I Do Something About It!!! Besides taking Avonex, (Copaxone ) 4 almost 8 yrs now, I look at the courage and the advocates here on this site and they inspire me.

Sometimes, I think the fatigue has something to do with not getting around to doing anything proactive about it. Excuses, Excuses...

Good Luck and I felt comfortable to post after reading ur's.

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:07 pm

Radar, I have the same question as you! I think I will forge forward.

bibliotekaren · Post by **bibliotekaren** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:01 pm

Beth,

A belated welcome. Looks like you've been jumping in -- seen you around on different forums. Hey, I'm curious about the "atypical MS" diagnosis. That's what my N is leaning towards.

What aspect lead the N to say "atypical"? My N noted the fact that episode onsets weren't sudden (took a week plus) and didn't completely remit. Must say I haven't found too much on this. Anyway, curious to hear what your take on the atypical is.

Glad to see you're getting into the forums. I have stacks of reading from this place and have learned a lot in a short time.

Best to you,
Donna

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 5:57 am

Hi Donna,

Thanks for the welcome. I think the atypical was because of a few things, but I might not have this quite right. It seems like everything was such a blurr when I was feeling really bad. At first I thought they had said my lesions didn't look like the classic ms, I thought that they were talking position in my head and size on my spine. At my last visit, when I asked about this he sort of took that back. I asked if I relapsed again if then I would be RRMS and he said yes.

I am like you though, my symptoms came on over a couple of weeks and I never have gotten complete relief.

I didn't feel like I had ever remitted and asked him about it. I didn't feel as bad as I had at the very worst of it, but I sure didn't feel very good at all. He showed me my MRI's again and the decreased enhancement and said that I had remitted. I just thought that was a bummer that I might always feel that bad.

In the last week, after learning more and more here about the vascular system, I have implemented a few more things and I am feeling sooooo much better. I had already taken my diet from a very high fat with lots of animal protein to a very low fat diet a few months ago. Then I added back some of my supplements that I had gone off of and increased my exercise. I have to say, the last four days have been a vast improvement in my neuropathy and fatigue.

Best to you!
Beth

bibliotekaren · Post by **bibliotekaren** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:01 am

Beth,

For some of us it is quite a winding road in regards to diagnosis clarity. Thanks for sharing your situation.

I'm so glad to hear that implementing some diet and supplement changes have helped.

Thanks again and see you on the boards!

Donna

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:57 pm

Hi Beth,

I am slow to welcome you, sorry about that. I know you have already found a mountain of great information here.

We are all here for you!

Cat

CRHInv · Post by **CRHInv** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:05 am

Thanks Cat! Hey, I am glad to see the tapping kitty is still with us. How are your legs today?

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Hi to All from Arizona!

Hi to All from Arizona!

Re: Hi to All from Arizona!

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Hi Beth