Sudden Irreversible Disability - Rare?

[Quixotic1]

I have to admit I am annoyed by the Marshfield Clinic study showing that the chance of a person with MS having an episode with "sudden, irreversible disability" being a rare phenomenon.  Maybe it's because my first symptom was sudden, permanent leg weakness.

Maybe it's because the Marshfield Clinic also authored an article that said that 60% of people referred to their MS Clinic actually had a Psychiatric Disorder, usually Somatization.  They made the point that only a "rare" person with certain red flags would turn out to have MS.  These "red flags" included a history of depression or anxiety, age over 50, normal LP or MRI, not having a sensory level (as in Transverse Myelitis), and many more absurdities.  I can't find my copy but when I do I will anger you all with the insanity of it.

So, I am asking those of you with MS whether you have ever had the sudden onset of a disabling symptom that did not improve sufficiently that it was not longer disabling.  This could be weakness, paralysis, vertigo, visual, hearing, etc.  Is it really so rare?

Feel free to describe the disabling problem and the extent to which it did or did not improve.

Quix

[Mike_Shuswap]

I'm hoping my disability is only temporary. I've been on LTD for about 14 months now.

I was dx'ed with MS 1 week ago. I'm counting on the Rebif and the gabepentin (something like that) to turn things around for me.

Mike

[Eyesnlegs]

damn keyboard - that should read 'come on'

[Eyesnlegs]

bump

me on guys we get enough help from Quix

[Quixotic1]

I really would like to ear from as many people as possible.  thanks.  this is my first poll.  I won't do it very often to you.

Quix

[meg321]

The most disabling symptom was the vertigo/dizziness..it came on sudddenly and I couldnt get out of bed for quite awhile without help, it improved enough for me to drive, thats still questionable, and go to work.  Even at work I was still holding on to walls so as not to fall.   It got better, just been dizzy for 7 yrs now, it never goes away but will get better or worse at times.

The fatigue started not too long after, that stopped my driving.  But the Dr gave me provigil and I was able to keep driving a bit.  As you all know, the fatigue will stay with you.

Those are the ones that came on suddenly...the cog issues came on slow and just seem to get worse.

I was diagnosed in February  2009, looked that up because I always use the wrong dates.

meg

[starryeyes1]

I woke up one day unable to walk straight, kept bouncing off of walls and unable to make it through a doorway without bouncing off the door jam. That was 2 years ago. I have been to months of PT, I am on a DMD and I have NEVER gotten myself back. I cannot work because of this. I have applied for disability and been denied. I would give almost anything to be able to walk right again.

One day I was fine, the next I was ruined.