Though I have been "lurking" for quite some time, this is my first official post. You all share such great information and it has helped me tremendously. I have suspected for quite sometime that I have had MS, but just recently had it confirmed...finally..thank goodness by an MS Specialist. My first neurologist was a mess in that he misread my lumbar puncture. I had 9 oligoclonal bands and an elevated Igg Index and he told me it was "negative"....needless to say I wasted months with this guy as he had no clue.
So now after months of stress, I finally got to a great neurologist and was properly diagnosed. In addition to the positive lumbar, I also had a new MRI done on a T3 which showed lesions..predominantly in the cervical spine and a few in the brain. Most of my symptoms are spinal related...spasticity...right leg weakness and foot drop...some of the buzzing sensations...pins and needles and tingling.
My neurologist just had me do a 4 day course of Solu-Medrol with a taper. Surprisingly, I tolerated it well and didn't really have any nasty side effects. I also saw a significant improvement in my symptoms...greatly helped with my spasticity (walking much better..before I felt like a robot)...energy and pain. How long the effects will last, who knows, but I will take it for now. I am also going to start physiotherapy/physical therapy next month which I hope helps as well. I think the next step with my neurologist is to evaluate how I do on the steroids and then try and figure out what type of ms I may have....I believe it is secondary progressive at this point, but since I did have a few "episodes" in the past (my 20's), I don't think my neuro wants to jump to worst case and may want to try a DMD. He also was me to try Amprya.
So that is where I am at with all of this. I feel much better now...but if you would have checked in with me a few months ago I was a complete wreck. I am now in a much better place mentally and trying to stay positive. I just want to do what I can to help myself. I have already changed my diet..taking supplements and exercising as I can.
Thanks so much for hearing me out. I also tried to break up my post for easier reading..not sure if it helped though
Beth