a new member's question

Hi everyone!
Just wanted to introduce myself and say how excited I am to have found this group :)
A little bit about myself, I'm 24 and this January I was diagnosed with MS. My first symptom was vertigo (really bad) and then some tingling and numbness on my left side and trembling hands. The tests were not great, MRI was "very suggestive" and LP was "positive", they also did some blood work.
After 3 days of I.V. cortisone I was back to normal and nothing has happened since. I haven't started treatment (Betaferon 1b) yet, I will probably do in may.
Here's my question: should I get a second opinion / redo the tests before I start treatment? Should I wait for another attack? How long is a remission period, usually?
I'm aware it's probably denial but I find it hard to deal with it, while I have no symptoms
Thanks!

[Ojibajo]

I am also newly diagnosed. I have wondered the same thing. Yes I have brain lesions and I am currently in a flare, but I have been mostly fine all of these years and I wasn't on anything. So I often wonder if I should take the "if it's not broke don't fix it" approach but my neuro and all of the "experts" seem to advise otherwise.

[HVAC]

If you really want a second opinion go for it. The LP won't change, nor should the MRI. If you reacted to the steroids that further supports the diagnosis. It is hard to accept especially at first. I thought they would say "Just kidding". My second, third, forth opinion all said MS.

Remission is different for each person. Even a Neurologist can not answer that. If you get on Betaseron may be you will have little or no relapses but there is no guarantee. It is great to be diagnosed when you are young and start on Betaseron and slow or stop the progression.

I know it is a terrible shock. I never imagined MS in my wildest dreams.

Alex

[Lulu54]

Hi Lucia and welcome to the forum here.  I agree that if you want a second opinion to assure yourself that this is correct, then all means do it if possible.  I see you are in romania and I have no idea how your health care system works.

One thing that I keep hearing from the experts is even though we may not be having outward symptoms of MS. our disease is never really dormant.  the MS is hanging around in the background whittling away where it can.  The point of the drugs is to help slow that degrading of our central nervous system. It is not a guarantee, but it sure holds a lot of promise that it will be helpful.

Many here have fought for years for the opportunity to start drugs after having had only one relapse and the McDonald diagnostic criteria has been changed so that treatment can be started after just one MS-like event.  

I hope you will have all these discussions with your doctor -
be well,
Lulu
I hope you will have all these discu

[shermay]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

If you feel more comfortable within yourself, then I would certainly go for a second opinion.

If the results are still indicative of MS, then you can move forwards with treatment.

I'm sure that I am not the only one that has gone through the denial stage when first dx with MS.

Debs