Age and MS

[photoldy]

I will be going to a neurologist on Thurs. because my MRI shows white matter disease with lesions and demyelination.  I know there can be other reasons for white matter disease and lesions but is it unusual for a 60 yr. old to be diagnosed with MS.  I have been having symptoms for years and have been to neurologists for MS but they have shoved me to the side saying I didn't have anything wrong with me.  Funny I had so many things wrong but yet they would not follow through with me.  I have had walking problems, speech problems and others but I guess that doesn't count for anything.  Anyway, on my newest MRI in March it showed white matter disease with a 7.3 x 4mm lesion and several smaller ones.  I have several symptoms but I keep reading that people over 60 aren't usually diagnosed with MS.  Doesn't it matter if you have had symptoms for years.  I have had clean MRI's in the past.  My symptoms have been getting worse so my family Dr. sent me for the MRI and set up this appt. with the neuro.  My Dr. seemed concerned and wants to know right away what the neuro says.  Is there anyone out here that is 60 and newly diagnosed with MS?  Thanks for reading and responding.  I appreciate it so much.    Trudy

[SarahL2491]

I will stop in briefly before returning to bed with pharmaceuticals and say that I was 69 when diagnosed and like you, went thru years of being shuffled and told silly things.  Sometimes you gotta go thru several non-caring neuros to find the right one!

Several people come to mind, also, who've had it for years before being Dx.  My current neuro who walks on water in my mind, says he figures, according to my timeline, that mine started in 1981 (b.c. MRI machines) when they hospitalized me for 8 days and labeled it hemaplegic migraines.....

Welcome to our group and sorry it had to be under the circumstances, hopefully they will put you on a DMD soon.

[Lulu54]

We have a number of people who weren't officially diagnosed until their 60's or later.  I am thinking there have been documented cases as late as the mid-8-0's although that is rare.

What the later age often means is the symptoms went on for years and were either ignored or not diagnosed.  There is no such things as "too old for MS," and don't let the doctors tell you differently. ~Laura

[kwarendorf]

Hi Trudy -

No, it is not all that unusual to be diagnosed at 60. I was 51, almost 2 years ago. Like you I have had symptoms for years, the first episode was over 20 years ago. I just never knew they were symptoms :-)

Try to focus on the top 3-4, life impacting, symptoms when you meet your neurologist. If you can, bring someone with you. An extra set of ears can ve very valuable!

Keep us posted.

Kyle