new to this

[uscms]

A few weeks ago, I thought I had gotten shingles, but the itching &  tingling were never followed with a rash. Then 2 and a half weeks ago I woke up with vision problems in my left eye.  I was studying abroad in Chile, so far from home. But I went to a private hospital, and 2 days after my emergency eye visit I got an MRI, 2 more days and a visit with an MS specialist and he says I have at least 7 lesions consistent with MS. With this news I immediately scheduled a flight home. While waiting to get home, I began getting tingling numbness and the painful cold sensation in my feet, over the week since it started it has spread up to my waist. Today the tips of 3 fingers on my right hand have started tingling. I went to a general doctor yesterday to get the referral required by insurance, but I feel overwhelmed with the waves of new symptoms while I wait. Im able to tolerate the symptoms, but I just want to know if this many at the onset is "normal". I use quotes bc nothing about MS seems to be consistant among sufferors. Honestly any advice is welcome while I wait on the system, wait to start a treatment, and wait for relief.  The original numbness from over a month ago has mostly subsided and my vision is improving. Its the leg pain tingling & numbness that seem to be worsening and the new tingling in my fingers.

[grannyhotwheels]

I really don't think there is anything "normal" about MS... I'm sure a lot of people had more than you and a lot had less than you at the onset... I am glad that your symptoms are getting better though... The sooner you can start on some DMD's the better... That's my opinion any way...

I really hate that you have MS but be thankful you where DX'ed so quickly... So many of us had to go years before getting one and there are still so many out there in limbo land...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[Lulu54]

Greetings and welcome to the forum.  You are in the hard part right now - learning to wait patiently.  Neurological time seems to move slowly for most people and gettting an MS diagnosis involves a lot of idle time, just waiting for the next appointment or the next symptom.

While you are waiting I would recommend learning as much as you can about MS, but do it in small bits and pieces.  We have great health pages here that cover a wide variety of topics, all of which are accurate and should be of help to you in understanding more about this MonSter.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=36


You are right that there is no "normal" to this - each one of us expeirence MS in its own varietation.  It's great news that your vision has improved and your symptoms lessened.

I am impressed that you got this type of care in Chile  - we know very little about the medical system in South America.

I hope we'll see you around and feel free to ask lots of questions.  This is a great group of folks who are also pretty knowledgeable about this disease.

be well,
Lulu