I am no longer in Limbo

[HVAC]

After waiting three weeks for LP results and two years of abnormal MRI's and VEP, I finally got diagnosed with MS. I had 12 o-bands and 0 o-bands in the blood.. He is starting me on Copaxone.
                                                                                     Alex

[rendean]

Thanks for the support.I have watched the videos but the family is on overload right now so I plan to eventually have them watch it, at a later date.

Re: Larson, I have the chihuahua one too!

Ren

[Salamander2]

Congrats does not seem appropriate, but you know what I mean.  Regarding the invisible symptoms, check out the videos on the right side bar.  I try to show it to all my family members and friends so that they have a little understanding of what those with MS feel every day.  Good luck with your treatments!
Blessings,
Sally

P.S. My favorite Gary Larson is one that has a chihuahua (?sp) standing on a stool on it's back legs in the kitchen making coffee and says "nervous little dogs get ready for their day".  :) Crazy, but I love it.

[rendean]

Thank you for the GREAT support and for the laughter. I have, like Alex , have a wicked since of humor also. I have several Gary Larson cartoons in my office and one is the "wake-up chuck" that Alex has. The others might be too out there for some so I'll hold back but if you're a Larson fan you might know the one with the two frogs driving and the "wife" says to the "husband " Crimony, you're driving on the wrong side of the road, have you been pithed? I know, wicked, and refers to animal cruelty but still funny. Heck, I do work in a law office...something's got to get me through the days...

Again, thanks to one and all!

Ren

[Erin0313]

Alex & Ren,

  Congratulations & Sorry both fit. It is huge to be out of limbo land but the enormity of the dx can hit you when the adrenaline dies down (and again and again, lol)

  Joking a side please remember that there are lots of really great people here 24/7 from all around the world and someone will almost always be going through or have been through where you are. Be sure to reach out on your bad days and don't forget to share your good times (we like those!)

Erin :)

[HVAC]

Hang in there! I just knew in my heart what the answer was. I almost gave up on the Doctors but I am glad I did not. Strangely I came into this through Doctors seeing my symptoms.

I love you Guys

[Wobbly]

well.... two more got answers...that's a good sign... hang in there and learn as much as you can... chat with all our friends about what you need to know.. I'm happy you got answers...not happy with your Dx necessarily..but you have answers...THAT'S A BIGGY...

On to your next journey.. take care

wobbly
UNDX

[sllowe]

Hey Alex, Hey Rendean,

Wow.  2 more dx'd and you both have good attitudes.  I'm glad you no longer have to search.  I'm sure knowing is bringing you both some much needed peace.  Now, you can move forward with your treatment options and lend your fight to the rest of us as we fight this together and learn and support, etc.

(((hugs))
shell

[Janette2836]

Alex & Ren,

Since I am a Limbolander still I can not tell you how I handled hearing the news of a dx FINALLY!  I do thank those who go before me & prepare me for the finding out.  I am happy & sad for the both of you but glad that you can now get the treatment you need!

Take care of yourselves

Janette

[HVAC]

Thanks this Forum saved me when I was in some dark places in the last two years.

Its ironic I get the full support of the MS team including the social worker when the Dr. deems it official. I needed a social worker two years ago when I was freaking out, when they first said MS and I did not know anything about the disease.

I do have a wicked sense of humor. My favorite cartoon is Gary Larson the beds lined up with flames around and it reads "Wake up Chuck its only a nightmare, of course you are still in hell".

[jed9999]

Please stop by jed9999's "home" on here and pick up a cartoon I still have from the 1980's---It shows a neuro sitting behind his desk saying to a woman, "The good news is that all those freakysymptoms you have been having for the past five years were not in your mind." If you double click, it will enlarge. Enjoy the irony! Jane in Indiana

[rendean]

As I noted before, thank you for the support and encouragement.

As for your score card in diagnosing MS, you had me pegged especially after the hypertonic bladder.

What does  your win/loss column reflect over the past year?

Ren

[rendean]

Thank you for the words of encouragemnet and support. You have already provided much needed comfort and peace of mind before my dx. I think Rena hit the nail on the head about the flood of different emotins. Since my dx comes just 2 weeks shy of an appt at Shriners Hospital for a possible dx of JRA, I am currently compartmentalizing the emotions and putting some on the back burner so I can be strong for my son. One day at a time...

To Alex: I am like you and most of my symptoms are not noticeable to others, other than the fatigue. So,  the validation is a good part of the dx. Dealing with the actual reality of the disease may not be so easy.

Thanks to all who have helped me get this far in this journey.  I appreciate everything you have said and done to help me thus far.  Glad I found such a great group of folks to share this "adventure" with.

Ren

[PastorDan]

These emotions are flooding over me and I am still in limboland.  Everyone here has said what I am feeling for you both, and for so many others here who have become "important strangers" in my life over just a couple of months.

On being in limbo, I wrote the following to someone else earlier today:
===============================================
I just simply don't know what else to do.  Until I know what's wrong, and can document it, I can't do anything.  I hope it turns out to be something for which I can take a pill and walk away.  Even if I have to go through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, though, I'd at least feel like something was being done.  This condition of not being able to take any action while I wait for months to  take the next baby step toward identifying the problem is just driving me up the wall.
================================================
As I said to the first recipient of that message, though, you've heard this all before.  Unlike her, you've even experienced it.  We'll keep you in our prayers, for certain, but now you can take action.  Take advantage of that gift.

[Udkas]

I just echo everyone's messages on this thread to you both.  It must come as some relief to know what you are dealing with and also some sadness to know what you are dealing with (hope that makes sense).

On an upside there are great advances happening with the treatment of MS.  Research has come along way just in the last ten years.....

I hope you both have great family and friends for a support network as many people seem to be so happy to finally have a diagnosis, a reason for their symptoms they have been experiencing and then they can crash and feel down.  This forum  is a fantastic support network for the diagnosed and the undiagnosed.

Cheers,
Udkas.

[biowham]

What everyone else said. I know it must be a relief on the one hand, but something to confront on the other.

Bio

[Fluffysmom]

Congratulations, you know what I mean.

I'm still in Limbo and I think I would be glad to leave the "annoying sanctuary".  Of course, I won't know for sure until it happens.

Hope you make the adjustment well; you have a great support system here.

Hugs,

Kathy

[opie74]

Wow!  I know this is a strange time.  I had feelings of releif, disamy, doubt, peace, and more.  You have the same problems you did yesterday.  You are not better; you are not worse.  However, you know the monsters name.  I was given the conformation of my Dx just days before Christmas.  I refused to deal with it until after the holiday.  This might not have been a bad thing.  Give yourself a few days to let it sink in.  Work through the doubts, fears and anxiety.  Get on a DMD, pronto.  

Best wishes and prayers for the both of you.

[Heather3418]

Yipppe for finally have a name to it all, then tears for your diagnosis.  All kinds of emotions will be hitting you both.  I went through a grief process and a denial period.  Most of the time I am angry, because of what I can't do now, that I used to be able to do.  I quickly realize that it would be like that in my life, whether I had MS or not.  Simple age can do that to you.  So I move forward.

MS picked a stubborn, hard-headed person to land upon.  It will not defeat me.  It may get the uppper hand sometimes, but it will not keep me down.

We are all here for both of you.  As others have suggested, take some time to let this all sink in, then start on your medications and FIGHT.  We are in the fight with you, all the way....

Big Loving Hugs to you both,
Heather

[Rena705]

We wait, we suffer, we rant, we rave, we search high and low and then suddenly the answer is thrown in our lap...all of a sudden we are diagnosed and strangely there is shock, anger, disbelief, fear and all the rest of the emotions.

However, you have an answer and know what you are dealing with and have been given a tool to deal with the MS monster with and you have this forum.

Please know that we are here for you no less than before your diagnosis and collectively we will see you through the rough spots...because WE KNOW there are rough spots and we know how to help you through.

You are stronger than you may think and you may be surprised at just HOW strong as your journey takes a new turn in your life.  

Lots of supportive hugs,
Rena

[essdipity]

Yup, you both have graduated. Talk about a good news/bad news scenario!

However, it's all doable. Ultimately you will feel better knowing that this has a name. Meanwhile I hope you both will start on a DMD immediately if not sooner (!)

So many here have gone from limbo to diagnosis while on this forum, and a great many of those have stayed. I hope you will too. You can help others while learning and getting support. Also have some zany times.

ess

[saveone]

AS Ren said good luck with the rest of the journey.

terry

[Quixotic1]

Wow, the news it is-a fallin'.  Welcome to a place where at least you know the name of your demon.  I was initially quite jubilant and would have held a diagnosis party had not my sister been in the ICU.  After about a month of feeling validated, the dew was off the rose and I got really p!ssed.  Lu is right.  Your emotions may be on a rollarcoaster, but you both can handle it - and you have us.  I think this is an interesting time to journal your thoughts and feelings.  The forum is a good place to do it.

Are either of you people that I expressed doubts about?  I am critically reviewing my "prejudices" about what MS can look like.

Several people have expressed some surprised grief at having to give up the "annoying santuary" of Limbo.  Sounds weird, but makes all the sense in the world, too.  Now, instead of railing against the neuros we have to focus on a new reality.

It's a very interesting process, but one I wouldn't wish on anyone.  You both will do fine.  I have seen your strength in your posts.

Mama Quix

[HVAC]

I was depressed and felt so alone before the appointment. No one can see my symptoms and most people think I have been worrying for nothing. I could not take another six months between tests. My only fear is the cost. I am trying not to think about it. Plus if I do nothing it will cost more later.

This forum has kept me going. All the best
Alex

[Lulu54]

I get to welcome two of you at once over to the other side of the mountain you have been climbing for a while.  

Hopefully you will both let this sink in, adjust the attitude as necessary,  and get on with being positive about life in general.    I know when I got my dx, even though I fully expected it, it threw me into a brief tailspin.  Expect the emotions to ebb and flow for a while - little things will strike you without warning.  

It is so good to know though that you two are out of limbo and can get on with treatment and deal with this MiSerable disease head on.

my best to you both,
Laura/lu