Diagnosis...MS

By BigCthenMS Friday, November 06, 2009

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Hello,

I was diagnosed with MS at the age of 48. The diagnosis came after having 6 chemo treatments and 30 radiation treatments for breast cancer.

After the radiation, I started having a little twitching with the left leg. A few weeks later, my left eye started going fuzzy. I went to the opthalmologist, and he diagnosed me with optic neuritis. He also set up a CT Scan. The scan was negative for tumors, thank God. So then, I was referred to a neurologist. After MRIs showed lesions on the brain, thoracic, and spine, the neurologist diagnosed me with Relapsing-Remitting MS. However, I have wondered if it has gone into Secondary Progressive since I have symptoms all the time and they might be getting worse. The symptoms that seem to be getting worse are stiffness, balance, and endurance (probably related to fatigue). I exercise as much as I can, which is not much. I swim in the summer and ride my exercise bike in the winter. If I exercise too much at a time, I cannot lift my legs or keep my balance. I have been falling about once a month, so that is a real concern of mine. I have been to a PT, a chiropractor, acupuncturist. They have all helped some. I have wondered about vitamins. Any suggestions?

I have not seen anything here about Mirapex for leg spasms or RLS. The neurologist prescribed Mirapex for me. It is actually a drug used for Parkinson's, but it works great for me. I have also been using 4-aminopydidine for stiffness and gait. It has helped me also.

Thanks for this website. MS is very frustrating. It is good for me to vent.

Comments (6) | Add comment

Lisa Emrich, Health Guide

11/ 7/09 10:50pm

Welcome to MS Central. I hope that you find a warm community of folks who are warm and reach out to support each other. Sounds like you have conquered the breast cancer. Yah!!

I have read about others who are already close to secondary progressive when they were diagnosed with MS. How long ago were you diagnosed? Sometimes relapses can take a really long time to resolve (even if not completely).

There hasn't been too much conversation here about RLS, but if you've found someting which works for you...great! Also glad to hear the 4-AP is working out as well.

As far as the exercise. Pace yourself and stay within your fatigue levels. Never over do it (that is something I learned from my PT).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

BigCthenMS

11/12/09 9:30am

Thanks for the welcome. I have been reading some of the comments people have made, then I decided to join in on the conversation. Just reading your responses to others, and the positive approach has been encouraging. I was diagnosed March 1, 2004. I was a prekindergarten teacher until 2008. I decided I was not able to do everything I needed with the little ones, especially since some were special needs children. This website is great. Thank you.

My mom and her battle with m.s

11/ 9/09 6:05pm

Hello, i am new to these sites i find it very interesting and i find out so much about the diesease as well.

My mom has been living with M.S for 19 to 20 years now.She has good days and bad.

She was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in june, she has had 25 sessions of radiation along with chemo.

She had a big operation 2 weeks ago they were able to remove the tumor , along with a few other organs.

She still has 4 months of chemo left, hopefully this will do the trick.My point is after surgery my mom lost what she had left of her mobility.

We thought my mom would never be able to get around the Dr's, were not sure either, glad to report she is now.

She is still very weak and stiff but my mom is also 73 years of age.She is a very tough lady who has a positive attitude about her life ,and all the obstacles along the way.

She was a little down and discouraged when she first tried to walk with her walker and her legs would not cooperate, but who wouldn't.

M.s has effected my mom's right side, she has no strength in that leg at all.Around the house she can get around with a walker, outside of the home she is in a wheel chair.

I remember before we knew what was wrong with our mother, she would take bad spells.

So much dizziness, off balance, terriable migrane head aches, she would fall.

It was oweful watching this and not knowing what was wrong.It took Dr's 6 years to diagnose my mom.

First they told her in was her nerves, they even ruled out M,s and lupus as well.

My mom's symptoms became worse she would get spells where her vision was interrupted , meaning for 20 mins maybe longer all she would see would be shiny wavey lines.

Then it got to a point where she couldnt walk to far her legs would get real tired or maybe even give out.

Finally after sending my mom for every test on the planet, they put her through a MRI .That is where they determined she had M.S, The DR, figured my mom had M.S for at least 19 years before she was diagnosed.

IT was a shock for her, and the rest of the family.Once my mom accepted the disease she moved forward with a positive attitude.

I am sure she had her days, and still does she has a plate full for sure.

Once my mom has her strength back from surgery i would like to introduce her to these wonderful sites.

I am sure she would have alot to offer considering she has lived with this disease most of her life and like i mentioned she is 73 and still going.

On that note i wish you all the best, i will keep you in my prayers as well , battling cancer and M.s is a tough one.

I have been there for my mom through all of this caner ordeal ,, and will contuine to do so.

Take care, and stay positive !!!!!

BigCthenMS

11/12/09 9:34am

I have wondered how it would be to have a serious health problem with MS. It sounds as though you are a great encouragement for your mom. Thank you for the prayers. I will pray for your mom as well.

Anonymous

11/12/09 9:59am

Well, my mom is doing well like i mentioned since her surgery.She is tired though and needs her rest. She still has 4 more months of chemo, which consist of 8 more treatments.We have no idea how the balance of the treatments will effect her M.s. But looking at the bigger picture my mom has been through so much and survived.She is one tough lady and there is no doubt in my mind that my mom will conquer this battle as well. I have supported my mom in all areas and will contuine to do so, when my mom was diagnosed with cancer in June, i quit my job to help out. My father had open heart in May so i took my holidays to stay with my mom while my dad was in the hospital.Two weeks after he arrived home my mom was admitted to the hospital for almost four weeks .That is when they determined my mom had cancer. I made a choice then to stay and help out,i stayed with my parents for 5 months.I recently went home at the end of sept. Now i go over on a daily base to make sure all is well, Once all of her treatmnets are completed and she is back on track then i will return to work. On that note i hope you are doing well, stay positive that is the key.I will contuine to keep you in my prayers.

nancy

1/ 2/10 3:47pm

I was diagnoised in 98 after many years of episodes. I recently have episodes wherefeel weird in my head and can't control my eyes and my heart rate drops then I pass out. Anyone experience this?

I recently was diagnoised with salivary cancer after removal for what was thought to be infection. Now they plan to go forth with neck resection, radiation, and chemo. If you have gone thru something like this how did the MS fare?

Diagnosis...MS

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