probable ms

[coffeeom]

Hi..
. I went to my appointment with the ms specialist yesterday  and he said probable ms because of the location of  some of the lesions (the corpus collsal).

He increased my gabapentin to 600mg a day...ordered a new mri with contrast (last one was without) and is hoping this is enough to get a diagnose if not he will  do a spinal tap.
He also ordered a visual evoked potential..and upper and lower somatosensory and more blood work.

My head is still spinning... I am so scared  .. Even though I had  a gut feeling that this might be ms and I thought I was prepared ...His words hit me  so hard!  I am so thankful for this site...~Linda

[coffeeom]

Thank s everyone for the support!
My next MRI is on may 6th..and I have my vep..and a ssep on may 16th. I  am not quite sure what to expect with these tests anyone want to tell me there experience with them?
My  next appointment with the doctor is not until  July 22....This was his first opening!!! But said he will call with the results of my tests sooner. He did mention we will talk about options  at our next appointment. Now I guess I just wait and research..  Linda

[tonyad]

   Hello :) I do not believe we have chatted yet. I would like to Welcome you to the Forum.

    Your feelings are very normal and rightfully so!  Just remember that MS is not a Death Sentence!  They are making Great Strides everyday in the efforts to Cure MS and hopefully this will be in our life time.

     In multiple sclerosis, the corpus callosum is relatively likely to be attacked and highly indicative of MS. The job of the corpus callosum is to route communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.

    When is your next scheduled MRI and other tests? Please keep us posted.
We are here for you and everything will be OK  ;)
Have a great weeken Linds.

~Tonya

[HVAC]

Linda,
  Sounds like a very good Doctor. Of course you are scared everyone is at your stage. Hopefully you will get an answer soon.

Alex

[twopack]

It seems that most, if not all, of us have experienced the unexpected ambivalence you describe when first diagnosed.  It does smack you like a sucker punch doesn't it?  Hang on Linda.  I've been told the roller coaster ride lasts long enough to give you your money's worth.

I had lived with the knowledge 'something' wasn't right with me for twenty years.  I knew that 'something' connected all the individual symptoms I treated.  I kept plugging along working toward the day I would find balance and health - the active former Me.  

Diagnosis was and is a relief in many ways.  The hard part for me is letting go of the hope of ever reaching that goal I kept in sight for so long.  It had actually stopped being realistic a long time ago but emerging from denial stings like Copaxone.  It's necessary to generate a new hope.

Take a deep breath and be good to yourself before you have to dive into more testing.  No doubt you will do some crying, some yelling, some numbing out, some doubting and who knows what else.  It just has to be done.

You might want to schedule the LP last and ask if it's really necessary, especially if other tests offer enough evidence of MS.  Not that it isn't a manageable test.  It's just more invasive and might not offer enough info to make it worth doing.  It's apparently not the gold standard some neuros consider it to be.

Have a peaceful weekend.  We are here if needed.
Mary

[MsWobbles]

Hey,

As a longtime Limbolander, I'm happy for you.  Knowing is always better because then maybe you can be put on meds that will slow your progression.  You already have whatever it is you have - a diagnosis only allows for treatment, local support group interaction, an understanding of why you are having your symptoms, and access to benefits offered to only people with a confirmed diagnosis of that disease. The negative aspect of a diagnosis may be insurance issues.  

Limboland is a *#&$^& place to be:  I hope you get the answer you desire!!

WAF