multiple sclerosis

[madhavan]

My wife aged 34, last week diagonised having MS.

The MRI report ( screening of Brain ) is

Multiple periventricular white matter hyper intensities of varying sizes seen, some of them showing signal intensity similar to fluid. One large lesion in right posterior corona radiata shows diffusion restriction. Some of lesions show peripheral contrast enhancement.

The MRI report ( screening of cervial and lumbar spine ) is

Minimal disc bulges seen at C2-C3, C3-C4 and C5-C6 levels.

L4-L5 disc dehydration and protrusion with high intensity zone seen. Protrusion is more towards left side, causing narrowing of left lateral recess.

Currently IV injection of Solu-Medrol 1g being given ( Esomeprazole sodium powder for solution for injection being given to prevent acidity in the stomach ).

but the health is not improving, before admitting to the hospital she was walking, but now left leg is showing less sense and not able to walk, left hand also started having less sense. I donot know what to do.

Blood sample test shows all the RBC, WBC etc., with in the limit

the disease is curable, Please reply early, .


Thanks and regards

C. MADHAVAN from Chennai India.

[Sarahsmom46]

I am so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis and ongoing symptoms.  It is really a shock to get this diagnosis and then you worry when the symptoms are not getting better with treatment.  But, please be patient with the treatment as it will eventually work and her symptoms will calm down.

Is she still in the hospital?  

The disease is not curable but it can be slowed down as Deb has already explained.  If you don't remember anything else that you either hear from the doctors or here on our forum, please know that getting a diagnosis of MS is NOT the end of the world and it is not a death sentence.  It can be scary in the beginning because of all the unknowns, but before you guys know it your life will adapt to this new reality.

You will be your wife's best support right now, going with her to the doctor/clinic appointments and making sure she is getting the best care possible.  It sounds like you  will be there for her and that is really the most important thing right now.  

Thanks for bringing your story to our forum and hope you will keep us updated on how she is doing.  

My best,

Julie (Sarahsmom)

[Deb61]

Welcome to the MS forum.  I'm sorry to hear about your wife.  It sounds like you're really supportive, and it means a great deal to someone going through this.  My husband is really supportive, and I don't know what I would have done if he wasn't.  He helps me with the housework, giving me my daily injections, is an active participant and advocate when I go to the doctor, and is understanding when I'm not feeling well.  He's my best friend and I have no doubt that his support and help has made a positive effect on the course of my disease.  

The Solu-Medrol is given when you're having a severe attack, in hopes to speed up recovery time of the attack.  Unfortunately, it won't reverse the attack.  Each attack is different, and the time it takes to recover is varies.  MS is very unpredictable.  I was not able to walk well at one point, but can now.  I've been on a disease moifying drug (DMD) for a year and seven months.  My attacks aren't as severe and nowhere near as frequent as they used to be.  For others, the disease is relentless.  

I wish I could say that the disease is curable, but it isn't.  There are treatments available though.  Some are more aggressive than others.  Some DMDs aren't available in other countries, and others aren't available in the US.  Was your wife given a choice of treatment options?   Here is the US, the first line of treatment are the CRAB drugs:  Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron.  Other medications are used (like the Solu-Medrol) during attacks, and to help with symptoms (like Provigil for fatigue).  There are other medications that are used when the CRAB drugs aren't working, but have risks and side effects (like Tysabri).  

On this site, there's a lot of information about medication and treatment, relapses, and pseudo-relapses, etc. in the Health Pages (see upper right hand corner).

Best of wishes for your wife's speedy recovery,
Deb