I'm a 62-yr-old woman. In 2006, I had an MRI which showed that I have demyleanating nerves in my brain. I was referred to a neurologist. He did not perform any testsor even ask me any questions about my history. He just said,"the radiologist suggests you have MS, but he's wrong. 58 year old people don't get MS. You can't possibly have it." He said maybe I had neuropathy and suggested I come back for a series of B12 shots. I declined the shots and said I was glad I don't have MS and left. I have not discussed this with any doctor since then. I decided (perhaps out of fear) just to ignore the whole thing. I have lately been having some problems which I believe could possibly be symtoms of MS. Also, as I do research, I can see incidents in my life which seemd at the time to be unrealted but now see that (taken together) might have all been symtoms of the same disease. I don't have a primary care physician. When I don't feel well, I usually just wait it out to see if things improve. Is it possible I could have had MS for years and not have had it diagnosed. If I did, it's probably mild. What would be the consequences of my continuing to ignore this. I really feel somewhat foolish going to see a doctor and saying "I believe I might have MS and here are the reasons why, " espcially since I am now 62.
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Q: Can I possibly have had MS for years and not have been diagnosed?
Oh honey, I so feel your pain. I was told that I had MS all my ife, but it did not show up until I was 44 yrs old, I am not 52 and on total disability. I started off with vertigo, and eyes crossing. An MRI showed the leisons on my brain. I will not go away, I had to face the facts. I am sooooo glad that it waited until my girls were finished college and working before it reared it ugly MS head. Be glad that it has waited as long as it has to show up. It will not go away, sorry no cure yet, but with medication and doctor attention, it can be made eaiser. You see I loved wearing 3 inch heels all the time, I now wear only flats, I have to use a wheelchair in the afternoons due to fatique. But life is still good. You will be surprised all the special favors that the wheelchair get me LOL LOL Smile it is not all bad. We out ran the monster for a lot of years.
sherry/smomdukes 
Hello pwl; Having had symptoms for years. Treating them as they came and went. Some stayed and got worse. After going on the internet, & by process of elimenation. My dx was MS. Gave my list of symtoms to DR. He had blood work drawn. Came back, I told him my Mother had MS. Shook his head and refered me to a neuro. His dx same. I was 61 at the time. The news some months, had a girl 5yrs. old dx with MS. I'd be finding me a good neuro to get some mri's. And some straight answers. The med.'s and injections will modify the MS. The meds.& injec. have slowed or stoped the growth of my MS. The previous dam-age is there for good. My neuro said could have been there for 20yrs. Get it checked out asap. .........GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS........Mike......;;....
Hello pwl; Having had symptoms for years. Treating them as they came and went. Some stayed and got worse. After going on the internet, & by process of elimenation. My dx was MS. Gave my list of symtoms to DR. He had blood work drawn. Came back, I told him my Mother had MS. Shook his head and refered me to a neuro. His dx same. I was 61 at the time. The news some months, had a girl 5yrs. old dx with MS. I'd be finding me a good neuro to get some mri's. And some straight answers. The med.'s and injections will modify the MS. The meds.& injec. have slowed or stoped the growth of my MS. The previous dam-age is there for good. My neuro said could have been there for 20yrs. Get it checked out asap. .........GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS........Mike......;;....
Hello pwl; Your more than welcome. This is a great site for us. Best I've found. The others are good, don't get me wrong, this one is gooder for me. Mainly the experts I've talked, & read got it going on. Your sense of humor will help as much as meds. You need both. I use it to put freinds & family & me at ease. Keep this in the back of your mind, IT IS WHAT IT IS.. Pull it out often. It could always be worse. The things I used to do, no more, what I can do I do them the best I can. GOD won't give you more than you can handle. You are the new YOU!!! GO GIRL!! GOD BESS YOU & YOURS..... Mike..... P.S. You can look up share posts about humor at Mike.
Thanks. I suspect I will need my sense of humor in the next week. Actually, I do laugh at myself frequently. Can't dance -- might as well laugh. I think I'll make that my new life motto. After all, "a merry heart doeth good like medicine."
God bless you all!
p.s. I'll definitely look up the posts about humor.
Hello pwl; So you can't dance. I'm to heavy to fly anymore. What are we to do? Did you know that humans are the funniest people on earth? Take care of yourself, and keep in touch.....GOD BLESS YOU & YOURS...........Mike......
Hi pwl,
I just had to answer your question-you see, I was 58 years old when I was diagnosed with MS. I hope you have gotten an appointment with a different neurologist and that you will persue this. I am now 61 years old and have been on Rebif injections for 3 years. While the diagnosis was a shock, it also gave me peace of mind, because everything began to make sense. It is a good thing to put a name to your symptoms, and to get a plan of action. Like Sherry, the Dr. told me that I had probably had MS for at least 10 years. Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply. I guess I should have taken the first radiologist's report and gone to another neurologiest immediately. Even though I didn't like or trust the first one and never went back to him, I figured he knew what he was talking about. It's just that every time a new symtom appears and I research it, the answer that keeps popping up as possible cause is MS. I am so tired and in such pain now that I must do something. I plan to get my insurance company to help me find a good neurologist tomorrow. I'm really apprensive about appearing foolish and also about tests which may have to be done.
Finding this board has been so helpful to me, knowing that there are those of you out there who also got a late diagnosis. Thank you for being willing to share your situation with me.
God bless you.
Hello pwl
I also felt compelled to answer. I feel sad that you are dealing with this. I am 55 years old and dxed in my forties. I too put the "puzzle" pieces together and came to the conclusion that MS had been with me long before my diagnosis. I want to say to you "chin up"...it may not be as bad as you think. After all you were 58 before your doc raised the words MS. That in its self is good news. Many MSers are faced with severe symptoms much earlier. (That's IF you have MS).
Now before you get too anxious, might I make a couple of suggestions: First, you might want to check back with the medical community. It may be better to know what you are dealing with. Second, research and read about "strategies" for living with (or without) MS. Finally, as much as you can, adopt those "healthy" living techniques that all of us put off. NOW is the time to evaluate things that YOU control in your life. In either case, a good diet, exercise and vitamins probably won't hurt.
I want to encourage you. HAVE HEART. GOD BLESS
HEY folks I now recall having symptoms of M.S. when I was seven, the worst thing about that I was told I was faking and just lazy which led to severe abuse but Even baterial menengitis should have told them something. I was diagnosed over twenty years later but I was given meds ffifteen years later and of course there has been more damage because of this,so yes you can have a disease and not know it. The only way to find out is to stay on top of things and make sure you know you have a good nuero and not some sado doc that doesn't even prescribe the proper meds for you like I have. bye for now thelambsink@netzero.net
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Thank you so much. You have been quite encouraging, as I'm sure to are to everyone you encounter. It's very helpful to me to hear from someone who still believes life is good, as do I! I needed the reminder, though. Thanks.