Am I just getting old????

[Grams3906]

I will be 46 in a couple of weeks and am in limbo as to the diagnosis of if I have MS or not. I am having a lot of problems with short term memory and confusion. At times I can't think clear enough to figure simple solutions to things out. I haven't told my doctor about these as I thought it was nothing and probably just a sign of getting old.

Is this just me getting old, being paranoid about having MS and just looking for any little symptom that will give me a definitive answer or are they reallly symptoms of MS that I should discuss with my doctor????

When I get this confusion and lack problem solving, I get anxiety attacks that make it even worse. The current doctor I have does not prescribe anything for anxiety or for pain so I am also just having to deal with these symptoms on my own and the best way I can. If anyone has ANY answers, suggestions or anything that might help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Grams

[Grams3906]

Hi Everyone, I can not think all of you enough for clearing a lot of things up for me and letting me know what I need to do.

I am currently seeking a new doctor and have sent an email as how to be seen by them, but I think I will call them today and find out.

This is very difficult for me as my little sister has MS. I love her dearly but she has always been on the what can I call it.....wait on me hand and foot type, I guess and watching her just completely stop trying to even walk or go to therapy and not knowing what part was real or what part was just her not wanting to do it has made it even harder in knowing what to expect.


I know this is mean but it is hard for me to even talk to or see my little sister right now. She has the same doctor as I do, and I just wonder if she was getting better care if she would be better or not. Does that make sense?

All of my kids are grown, and I have grandchildren now, but it seems my life revolves around them and they're daily activities as to to what I am able to do for myself. My husband keeps telling me to let them live their lives and it is time for us to live ours....lol I usually just tell him "yeah sure babe whatever you say" but I guess that time has actually come.

Thanks once again to all and I am so glad for this website and forum.

Have a great day.
Grams

[Eyesnlegs]

hey it's been a year since I was struggling with these issues and I am much older than you too.

They finally assigned a neuro-psych to me who decided that my state of mind was making all the other cognitive symptoms worse. At that point I could not even say MS without crying!

She and I have worked through cognitive therapy sessions for a year and it has helped a great deal but I am now about to have some cognitive testing.

It has taken a year to be able to separate out what was being caused by my high stress levels and what was being caused by the direct impact of the MS. You CANNOT be dismissed - it is just not acceptable.

Can you hear me shouting from the UK here - I was dismissed for nearly 20 years from by first bout of ON as my sx were intermittent (well yes it's MS - duh) and I was sent from consultant to consultant as my various body parts were treated in isolation.

.......................AND ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,YOU ARE NOT OLD.

OMG I can feel your frustration I have been there too!

(((hugs)))
Pat

[Quixotic1]

I can only echo Mary and Ess.

You are not old.

You are not old.

You are not old.

Your doctor is either cold-hearted or a total coward.  You need a new one, hopefully with the integrity and compassion to address pain, anxiety, depression and the other ails that cause misery in their patients.

You are not old.

Quix  (I am not old either at 12 years your senior.)




                                                                                                    you are not old.....

[essdipity]

Grams, 46 is practically childhood ;-)  It all depends on your perspective. As one of the oldest of the forum, I've lived through a lot that many others are just now experiencing, whether it is MS-related or not.

You should not be having memory issues due to age at this point in your life. I'm assuming you're a grandma, but even so, stop thinking of yourself as old. I could be your mother, yet I still consider myself 'older.' Someday that 'older' rubber band will snap and I'll be plain old, but it hasn't happened yet. In medical terminology I'm 'elderly' --hah-- but you're far from that.

So, back to the future. I urge you to find a neuropsychologist and get full testing. That should show in what ways you have deficits, if you do, and should indicate whether psychiatric issues are playing a role. It's very possible that you are anxious only because you are worried about brain function. That would make anyone anxious.

Or, anxiety could be a separate issue, aside from neurological deficits caused by some disease process. It's important that you find out what is what. Any doctor who would just let you suffer is one you should be running from. I'll bet he still collects his fee.

Please make finding good help your highest priority. Absolutely keep a journal as a memory aid, but when you see a (good) doctor, summarize things briefly. Take the list with you.

ess

[jujuminx]

WE understand what you are going through even if those around you don't.  YES, walking helps (as long as you are able to do it safely and don't get overheated).  I always feel better physically and emotionally after.
It is so frustratinig to be in my body sometimes that the only to escape safely is to just float way as I am excercising.  The eating healthy is harder as it requires planning on your part. I too had trouble eating when I first realized what I might have (it's called depression!).  What snapped me out of it was the realization that my body was fighting for it's life and I needed to do what I could (like give it nourishing food) to help it.
It also helps me feel less helpless.  I am doing something even if it only helps a little.
Hang in there!
Julie

[Grams3906]

I thank you all so very much in answering my questions and concerns....in a way it is a relief to find answers and in a way it is not, as I am sure all of you are well aware of.

I have contacted another neuro to seek treatment and to see what I need to do to be seen at this facility.

Does anyone think that keeping a journal is immature at my age to jot down daily things that happen to discuss with my dr. It seems when I get to my appointments everything just leaves me and I can't remember to ask anything at all.

Unfortunately, I don't eat right, or maybe I should say eat hardly at all. And exercise is difficult for me to engage in. Do just walks really help? I do have a park right by my house.

I know some of these are such silly questions, but when you have no one that understands what is going in my head because they are not going through it, it is hard for me to talk to or take advise from them. So I apologize if I take up anyone's valuable time to answer these questions for me.

Again, you are all so appreciated, and I thank all of you greatly.

Grams

[jujuminx]

I too have had some confusion and anxiety attacks around the possibility of MS.  I have found that what helps the most is exercise, concentrated breathing and praying.  Sounds simplistic but I hate drugs and although it may become a part of my life I am doing all I can to do what I can naturally.  Eat the absolute best you can and get plenty of rest as well.
The exercising is such a relief buster. There are times when in the middle of my walk I just break down and cry. By the time I get home I feel a lot better.
I am sorry you are going through this.  This isn't a normal state for any of us.  Take some comfort that modern medicine is such that should the natural things fail you there are medications that you can turn to. Good luck!

[janbubears]

Hi xxx

????? your dr doesnt prescribe for pain or anxiety ??? did i hear correctly..

well when i started with my pain ( im un diagnosed too ) i had major thought problems and they also started me panicing it was horrendous.. i am now on anti depressants they have worked for me fantastic..

how can anyone get help re; pain and anxiety without drugs u cant really

jan xxx