Anyone diagnosed with Ms in early 20s???

[audrey2ad]

Hello ,
i would like to know if any of you was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in early twenties...I just want to know that im not alone and get some advice and experience in the progression of the disease if diagnosed from such a young age...
Thank you all

[rafder]

I was also diagnosed in my early 20's.  My first attack was big, lost feeling and control of the entire left side of my body, speech difficulty, and double vision, and headaches that worsened after they did the spinal tap to confirm MS.  I am now in my late 40's.  I've read that there are different stages of MS, mild to worst.  I pray that the symptoms will never effect me and I continue to pray on this.  I have also read that the younger you are when symptoms first appear may be milder caes and your chances of a relapse can be slimmer than someone diagnosed later in life. I recommend following up with your health as often as possible.  That's all we can do.  

[No1poodlelover]

I know this comment is late, however I know others will find this string. I was diagnosed at the age of 23 and I am now 24. I know what you mean when you say you feel alone. Everyone I know or have ever met with MS has been much much older. I don't think many understand the unique set of challenges people in their twenties face who have MS (relationships, starting career, financially, etc.). The important thing is to try to live your life as normal.... This is a crucial point in your life and your decisions can impact the path for your future. Keep your same goals (within reason). Don't give up. You will still have EVERYTHING. It might be somewhat different but if you try you will get it. You will find love. You will have a career. You will have children. It will happen. But it will only happen if you take care of yourself, have a positive attitude/outlook, and try hard. There will be days that you feel it isn't fair. There will be days that you see your friends accomplish something that might feel impossible for you to do. You will have those days. But you have to remember there are a lot of us. A lot of us who are in the beginning of starting our lives and then find out the most unexpected, life changing news anyone could hear. You are not alone.

[Emmy2191]

I am also 21 and believe that i have MS but havent been to my doctor yet but i have alot of the signs and symptoms. I thought i was to young to have it.

[jujuminx]

I am undiagnosed but started my numbness/tingling symptoms in my 20's.  Now 48 and getting closer to diagnosis.  You are not alone!

[charmed6418]

I was diagnosed at 28 but had symptoms since 2006. It started with optic neuritis, then the numbing and tingling. I'm currently taking Copaxone and am in remission. It's been working great for me. As long as we have the support and we eat right and take our meds, we'll do just fine....considering. You're not alone my dear...take care.

[audrey2ad]

Hello and thanks for responding.Im really sorry to hear of your MS. Its really hard trying to deal with it..Not only the symptoms but the psychological aspect..I think we all need all the support we can get which i find part of it in this community.
Thank you for your responce...
Stay in touch
A

[audrey2ad]

Thank you for your response..Im just (like you i suppose) try to deal with this and i know we all need all the support we can get!Thank you for your responce please stay in touch .
A

[audrey2ad]

Hey
Sorry for the late response..Im really sorry for your diagnosis but im sure glad i found you in this forum its hard thinking you are alone since nobody really understands..
Thanks
keep in touch
A

[Pablo_Morphy]

I was 23 when I had my first episode:  A very strange case of bilateral optic neuritis with headaches and annoying paresthesia.  Despite my insistence, they never found out what it was (in two different countries, not in the U.S.!)  It took 11 years for these symptoms to come back, stronger than before, and now I was diagnosed with a CIS/possible MS.  Sometimes I wonder what my life had been, had I been diagnosed back then.  It was probably better this way, but who knows!

[chobee1kenobi]

I am also 23 and was diagnosed in November of 09. I had no symptoms until then when I had optic neuritis that landed me in the hospital where I was told I probably had MS but couldn't be diagnosed until I had a second attack which happened a few months later.

[Gemz154]

Hey Audrey,

I know this is a bit late, but i am 23 and was diagnosed with MS back in April 2009.

So no you are not alone, and this now means that i am not alone either!! I have only just joined and the response from other people on here is brilliant!!

Hope all is well with you!!

Gem x

[audrey2ad]

Thanks for all of your answers...Please keep contact...
Hugs
A

[Eyesnlegs]

I just wanted to say though I wasn't diagnosed in my 20s although I have had symptoms since I was in my 30s. My sister was also diagnosed in early 30s.

I just wanted to draw your attention to a great book that is available on Amazon by a lady called Laurie Edwards it's called Life Disrupted, Getting Real about Chronic Illness in Your 20s and 30s. It's not just about MS it's about the chronic illnesses to I bought it for my daughter who has suffered Crohn's disease since she was 19 years old.

I don't think it matters what age you are diagnosed at the progression will be whatever it is meant to be.

Be well

Pat

[HVAC]

My diagnosis started when I was a small child. They just were not so smart about it back then.

Alex

[audrey2ad]

Thank you for your answer...Your words give me comfort...Lets hope that researchers will come up with some wonder drug before we get old....
Im sorry for Ms but im glad you answered me....Thank you and please stay in touch
Hugs
A

[Tiredofbeingnumb]

Hi Audrey! I was diagnosed at the age of 28. I started having symptoms shortly before I was diagnosed. I can honestly say I never had a neurological symptom before everything started to go downhill in the summer of 2008. My first symptom was optic neuritis, and my second symptom of leg numbness followed just a couple of months after my 1st symptom. So, I was  lucky in the sense that I got diagnosed right away.

A few months after diagnosis, I started going to MS support group meetings, and while I did find them helpful (everyone there was sooo supportive and kind), it was weird being the youngest by a good 20 years. I know from the statistics that younger people are diagnosed, but where are they? lol they are like an endangered species here.  Don't get me wrong--you can get wonderful support and build friendships with people who are older, but there is a sense of comfort in knowing someone your age who has it to. Cause let's face it, while we all share a common MonSter, people of different ages can and do face different issues.

You are not alone! I totally understand how you feel!! MS is no fun at any age. I've had several doctors tell me, "you are lucky to be diagnosed at such an age?". HUH? First of all, no one is "lucky" to have this disease.  And the younger you are...the longer you have to live with it!  I am only saying this because this is what I have thought myself. And you know, as I've thought about it more (working hard on thinking more positively) living longer with this disease also means more time that the researchers are spending and might come up with a wonder drug! There is SOOOO much research going on right now. It gives me comfort, actually, to know that there is so much research going on.

There are others like ourselves out there! They do exist! lol.

[audrey2ad]

Thank you so much...
It relieving to find someone who understands...Thanks a lot and please keep in touch...
Hugs
A

[moose28]

I hope you get some real answers at your appt next week - good luck and hang in there.
Always here for you if needed!
Marty

[audrey2ad]

also it started out as pain in shoulder blades with severe pain in jaw and ears and migraines...Thought it was my tooth back then

[audrey2ad]

Probable Ms but i know my body i know its MS....I have the numbness feeling,tingling muscle twitches and cramps and two years ago since they all started i had a bad urinary infection which caused me bladder problems..constipation backache stiffnes and pelvic pain.....Sometimes i feel extreme fatigue as if i have no energy....the problems are more severe in my right side than the left one....
Also im experiencing weird feelings on knees after hot bath like streching.....

[audrey2ad]

Thank you for your answer mike....:)
i agree ...its sad for the disease but still im happy that yours is symptoms free hope it remains that way


all best

[moose28]

I have had numbness/tingling in my feet off/on since I was about 18 - went to the clinic and the dr squeezed my toe and said you circulation is fine - it should just go away in a month or so - if not come back. Well it did go away and then each time it came back I just figured no use going to the dr for it.

Also have been having bladder infections and issues with urgency and frequency for close to a decade, as well as constipation.

Also had the vision in my left eye go blurry - eye dr not able to fix - had MRI of eye to check for macular degeneration - nothing found so again told if it doesn't go away within a month - come back. - it went away........

Just recently in February had an episode where my vision was completely blurry and I couldn't walk, and now this happens every time I try to walk - unable to walk very far at all - not sure of exact distance measurements. Vision starts to go and legs get very weak, (feels like cement blocks on my feet) and my right leg starts to drag. So now I just don't walk very far for the serious fear of not knowing if I will be able to walk back. I must push the cart while shopping - really helps a lot. I finally broke down last night and ordered a few canes to try out. I have to keep the mindset that at least I have the ability to walk and use a cane - I guess......... :)
Have you been diagnosed? - What kind of signs/symptoms do you have?
Take care,
Marty

[Mike_Shuswap]

A couple of my cousins were dxed in their early 20s, back in the early to mid 1970's. They are female sisters to each other in a family of 13 children.

Most of the rest of my relatives that have MS were dxed in their 30's or 40's.

I just got dxd last March at 53 years old, and I have an uncle who is the same age as me who may have MS, but hasn't got a dx yet.

I really feel for those of you who have this disease at such a young age. I feel very fortunate that I made it into my 50's more or less symptom free.

All the best to you

Mike

[audrey2ad]

Hello Marty ...Thnk you so much for your kind answer...I just wanted to kindly ask if you had any signs or symptoms in your twenties before you were diaagnosed i had for two years
:)
Thank you for the answer
means a lot