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It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear

About Me: Female, 68, northeast, OH, member since Sep 2009

It started in 1990 with a few symptoms that hit hard for three weeks then began to slowly improve.  They had faded to barely noticeable three months later when the consult appointment at the Mellon MS Center of Cleveland Clinic finally rolled around.  Local doctors had ... [More] suspected MS and ordered a brain MRI.  The radiologist didn’t like what he saw in the medulla.  But in 1990 imaging evidence for MS was new and even less understood than it is now.  The specialist at Mellon Center told me not to worry about MS, so I didn't.

I have no regrets about 20 years lived in blissful MS ignorance.  However, the rejected diagnosis did come back to bite me in the ***.

My primary physician and I treated and/or ignored many symptoms over the years as isolated, unrelated events. Then a young, just-out-of-residency, sleuth loving and diagnostic hungry replacement joined the group.  She reviewed my chart, figured in some new symptom twists, and quickly sent me off for new imaging and consults. She said I was too young to feel so bad. Thank you Dr. Jill! You are my hero.

Lesions (scars) were clear on the new MRI. In fact, I found out they were visible on the 1990 imaging as well - in several areas of my brain. A VER showed mild evidence of past optic neuritis. A diagnosis of MS was suggested by a neurologist in October of 2009 and confirmed by a MS specialist in February 2010.

Being diagnosed sure does help explain a boatload of problems I've had over the years. I take Copaxone daily now to try to put the brakes on the disability train that can come barreling down the tracks at any given moment when a person has MS.

I work enough hours to feel useful and carry health insurance for myself and my husband. Hopefully I can hang in and earn income until SS retirement kicks in. Otherwise, I enjoy life and engage in as much activity as each day allows.  I especially enjoy time spent with our Akita/Boxer+ mix.  We’ve worked on agility and therapy dog certification for the past couple of years.   My MS and her hip dysplasia slow our progress but we keep each other moving on the days both of us are able.  (Bella and I = twopack.)

I'm participating in my third MS Walk in April, 2012. I can’t stomp out MS on my own but I can help raise money and awareness by joining efforts with many others who walk for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Please go forward with me.
My goal is to be LIVING with MS rather than suffering from it.

Mary [Less]

Best Answers: 51

Top Answerer:

Heart Disease

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Neurology

06/13

Rest in Peace...so sorry to hear of your untimely passing. You will be missed here at MH.

Princepaso

06/13

Just a quick note to say You are wonderful and will be sorely Missed Prince paso Kirsten

immisceo

05/13

Thanks so much for the kind words on my recent status. I'm just finding my sea-legs in the whole area of how I engage with MS, virtually and in real life. I think I'm a bit more aware of when to take a 'day off' versus getting a bit too wrapped up in it. Like anything, it's a learning curve! Thanks again for the support and forbearance with my slightly drama-queen status!

Maks322

05/13

Thank you for your post. After a couple of responses that made me feel like I was out if my mind for thinking my life would change, I regretted posting the question. I really wished I could take it back. Thanks

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