Hello,   I just started my first infusion of Tysabri a Avonex just was not cutting the cake for me as now I am PPMS DIO'd.   I was DIO with MS in Fall 2008 after my eye doctor for over a year stated my blurry vision in my right eye was due to aging...go figure.  No new prescription helped the blurr.  Finally I just had it with the aging answer at 44; I could believe aging as part of it at one-time but a new prescription should have made a difference.  Finally, I just rose my little anger button and made a scene in the waiting room.  One can only push me so far despite my easy going nature.  I got to be referred to an eye specialist that day...who saw nothing wrong with my eye so ordered the MRI and BAM I had fuzzy white marks which led to an LP and so on...good thing came out of it I now had proof for my Mom despite all the years of her stating I had no brain.   With MS DIO I have learned to be very frank with the doctors like I have to PEE without warning at the most unopportune time; in fact if I do not go PEE right now you going to have to get a mop for your very clean office; instead of being meek in my discriptions of issues I am having.  I know some of us are taught to be discrete with people, but you know what most doctors including neuros really do not understand MS and the issues we all have because we are not cookie cutter cases that can be solved with generated medical treatments.  The symptoms are as numerous as the night-time stars and this just baffles the medical community gives them pause to run with their hands up.   So go into the doctor office both neuro and primary armed with your questions on a piece of paper (keep a diary bores the heck out of em) as frank as you can be and watch the tables turn.   MS is not for the weak hearted you sometimes have to put the boxing gloves on and take control.  Which I know you did not go to medical school to learn; that was the doctor's path.  But to be honest until the medical field knows what the real cause of MS is there will not be a cure or truly effective treatment.  In other words, what works for you to manage your MS I am all for it.  If it is diet, medication combos, meditation, cold baths, herbs, massage, acupunture etc...go for it if it makes your day-to-day operation and function managable.  MS is not a case book answer to treatment; it requires some creative manuaving on the patient's side; for example, grabers because the balance on tippy toes just is not an option.  However; there are medications that help but there are side effects with all man messed with and created drugs...so be your own advocate.  Speak loudly, firmly, respectfully, and straight forward with the doctors.  Do your homework on drug interactions.   I know being strong when you just are physically whipped is the hardest thing to do, but in the long run it can be your salvation in the topsy turvy world of MS.  MS is my mate an adventure; we just do not agree most days.  I did look for a divorce lawyer but not one was up to the task of divorcing me and my MS mate.  So buck up MS is going to stay and it can really have ugly behavior which you can whine about or sit back to think of a way to overcome those ugly moments.   I think for me the hardiest part is the unpredictable side of MS from one day to the next; not knowing what path it is going to take in a universe that just does not understand how a stiff leg can buckle without warning and you kiss the pavement.  OMG I looked like quzo met Rocky and I think I looked worst than Rocky after a 15 round bout.   Through it all tears, joking, laughing I have come to accept MS as my mate.  I just wish it would put the toilet seat down then we might get along better.   NO MS is not a laughing matter, but without laughter I would give up and just cry my eyes dry...and gosh help me with the doctors on that one...I am sure they would lock me up forsure as the easy alternative.   HUGGLES to all the strong MS individuals you are special because MS makes you strong and for that we have to thank MS in a world of unforgiving moments like a curb with no rails at the front entrance of a store...and the handicapper parking is like 400 steps from the entrance.  Well 400 steps is like a trip around the world as my legs begin feeling like 900 lbs each.  ::WIGGLES her nose::   Yeah the world just does not understand the complexity of MS in its simplist form.  I am more than just MS>>>