It's Official

[Ojibajo]

Well, it's official. I received my diagnosis today. I was getting a EMG and while I was in there my neuro busted in and filled me in. I also have arthritis in my spine. Awesomesauce! :-/ I am supposed to start a 3-5 day IV treatment of steroids and I think they gave me homework? I have a butt load of stuff to read about MS and medications and then in a month I go back for another appointment and decide what I want to take. Why do they all of the meds have to be injectable!? *Sigh*

I had some chocolate ice cream tonight. I feel a little better.

[Lulu54]

Ojibajo,
You fit right in here if you know the first line treatment is ice cream.  Nothing like a bowl of your fav flavor to soothe the soul.  I am so sorry to hear about your dx, but on the other hand this way you can get on with treatment.  

For the homework, add another piece to it - the MS UK Decision Aid is a great site to walk through all the DMD choices and really understand the difference.  It is worth the time it takes to think about them.

http://www.msdecisions.org.uk/


@Candy - that is BS the doc is feeding you.  All the injectibles DO NOT cause depression.  Copaxone does not have this side effect and that is why so many of us choose copax over the others.  I'm sorry you got the dx this week, too.  Stinks, doesn't it?  It is also used here in the US for SPMS, so please got back and ask the doctor about this option.

lots of hugs and gallons of ice cream to you both!
Lulu

[Sumanadevii]

I am sorry to see you join the club, Oj but am happy that you can now begin treatment that may prevent more damage to your body.  I still remember the anger I felt when I was first dxed.  You seem to have a good attitude about it.  I hope it helps you though the times ahead.  Either way, we will be here for you.

[Ojibajo]

I love the word "snifter". I've never had a snifter of anything but I should just because I like to say the word "snifter." :)

[Guitar_grrrl]

Sorry for such a rotten diagnosis!  Well, now you're in good company with many of the rest of us.

LOL about the comment on Gilenya and antlers....HAW, HAW, HAW!!

Mmmmm, chocolate!  I just had a square of 70% dark with a small snifter of good French cognac.  I may have MS, but I treat myself well.

Take good care!

[rendean]

I'm sorry to hear of your dx but as all the others have said , at least you know what you're fighting and can formulate a battle plan...hence the books on MS and treatments. All guides to help you in your plan.

Alex wrote about the roller coaster of emotions and it will hit when you least expect it. But, remember we're here and we "get it" . Come here for comfort, to vent, to share what you are experiencing or just to give us a good chuckle; I like the antler growth :-)

Be sure to check out the sites given to you. There is a lot of information in those links and though it may seem a daunting task, you can and will make it through all your homework.

Come here if we can help with any questions or share our experiences on a particular subject with you.

Now onward... to the chocolate ice cream!

Ren

[Mustang0064]

Welcome to dxland. Lots of great advice and people here. Hugs!

[supermum_ms]

hmmmm yes everyone with MS should want to glow yellow and grow this years latest fashion statement of antlers, you didn't mention what happens when they turn off the lights, great party trick lol

Seriously though, bummer about the dx but i am glad your getting a DMD, take your time to get your thoughts squared and be at peace with what ever one you choose.

HUGS.............JJ

[Ojibajo]

They gave me a PILE of information on drugs. One of my brochures is on Gilenya. It seems to have a million possible side effects: breathing problems, liver problems, nausea, vomiting skin turning yellow, antler growth. Okay maybe not antlers, but you get the point. At the same time I am not terribly excited about injecting myself either, but I guess I'll get used to it.

[Ojibajo]

Hey Alex, Thanks for the Resources. I did check out the National MS Society. I will check out the other ones. Oh and I got a coupon for a FREE "MS for Dummies Book" Woo hoo!

[HVAC]

Oh and if you have not yet call the National MS Society. They have a wealth of information. Including a book for the Newly Diagnosed which is free. It was very helpful. They have lots of other support.  There is also United Spinal Association which has free membership with a discount card and an MS magazine (you do not have to be disabled in your walking). There is mymsmyway on the internet which has free games to help cognitive skill and eye skills. There is the MS Association. The best book I found on MS is "Curing MS How Science is Solving the Mysteries of Multiple Sclerosis" by Howard L. Weiner.

Alex

[Wobbly]

welcome to our family, sorry to hear about your Dx, but you have answers now and you can get much information here.  When you get your Dx it can hit you hard, even if you have kind of known it for yourself.  

take time and read up on MS.. chat when you want and take care
wobbly

[candy158]

Hello, sorry to hear about your dx.  I too just got mine as well.  IT does take time to sink in, and give yourself time to let it sink in, that is very important ....

Make sure you read everything, and don`t expect to comprehend everything though, and as soon as you think you have a handle on it, they chanage something, so don`t beat yourself up if you don`t get it all.

I know there are people out there that have had MS for years, and they still don`t get it, so, it seems to be hard to diagnose, and even harder to live with cause we never see what is coming around the corner.

I myself, am not on in injections.  They told me because I am 52 years old, and have depression that they would not give it to me.  So, we do the Gabapentin thing, and Baclofen, and Flexeril, and herbs and things, and then some stronger things if needed.

So, if you decide to not go with the injections, there certainly are other options worth trying.

Good luck to you and yours,
Are you in CanadaÉ  That is where I am from.

Take care
*HUGS*
Candy

[shermay]

Sorry to hear about your dx, but at least you can move forwards now and get the proper treatment.

It will be a roller coaster ride for the first few months, but you know that you have many friends here who will help you along the way.

Hugs,

Debs X

[HVAC]

Welcome to this side of the mountain. You will have ups and downs this is normal. We call it the roller coaster ride of emotions. Their will be relief I got a diagnosis, anger, disbelief, sadness, etc. Take it day by day. moment by moment. I find there is nothing to scary in the moment it is usually what will happen later that scares me. Follow your puppy's lead they live in the moment.

Alex

[cainer]

hugs!!   tick

[twist330]

So sorry to read this. But you do now know, so you better get down to the Homework! or the chocolate and Ice cream. mmm. Homework! or the chocolate and Ice cream Homework! or the chocolate and Ice cream. Well I know which I'd choose.

but seriously I hope you are feeling positive about this, and can move forward just on a slightly different route. and this forum provides a huge amount of support.

All the best
Twist.

[Sparkysarah]

So sorry to hear that you have received your diagnosis, but at least you are now able to focus on treatment options. It will probably take a little time for the diagnosis to sink in so allow yourself space to take everything in, read the literature and find out for yourself what treatment options are available. If you hate injections so much has your neuro considered the new oral drug Gilenya?

Let us know how you get on and we are here to support you now and in the future.

With love

Sarah x

[jujuminx]

So sorry about the dx, but you know what you are fighting now.  Hang in there. It does take a while for everything to slow down a bit. It won't feel like your life again for a while.

I hate needles, always hav,e but really injection of the DMD's (at least copaxone) isn't bad at all. I have learned to to it in public bathrooms when I am in a time crunch.

Good luck to you and keep posting with your progress.

Julie

[msisbs]

Chocolate Ice cream makes everything a little better :) Take your time with all that reading, It will get overwhelming fast. Yay for treatment on the horizon!