MS Stages

[JDR]

Dear Doctors:

I am very recently diagnosed with MS, last week.  I thought for sure it was a pinched nerve or herniated disc but big suprise, it is MS.  I was in a car accident in the new year and my symptoms weren't getting any better.  I have seen the neurologist who hasn't prescribed any meds yet.  Not sure of what stage I am in?  I have constant tingling in my arms (mostly right sided) and in my legs when I walk.  I have Lhermittes everytime I put my neck forward.  This is a very strange feeling.  I also have constant fatigue.  I am unclear as how to figure out what stage I am in.  If it is progressive-remissive, should the symptoms subside completely to constitute this stage?  Or if it is progressive, what would this entail?  I  find it very difficult to work right now because of the fatigue and tingling and have been taking this last couple of weeks off.  I worked one day and was overwhelmed and only l/2 day the next.  I am hoping you would be able to help with the stages of MS?  I know everyone is different.  I had a lot of white spots in my c-spine MRI and confirmed by the brain MRI with larger spots indicated there.   Thanks for your help,      JDR

[Jp21dmb]

hello all,
i have been trying to post a question, but keep getting the page that says too many have been asked for the day already. so maybe someone can help. :) I am 20 years old, female, and have recently experienced my left foot going numb from the ankle down. There is not any pain, but it has felt like it is asleep for about a week and a half, and is now starting to go away. I have also had headaches, sometimes lasting for a day at a time, and Motrin and Tylenol do not help them. I have seen a neurologist, and he ordered an MRI. That came back, and showed white spots on my brain. I am now going for a spinal tap on Tuesday. My doctor thinks this is MS, but I am only 20! Does anyone know of other explanations for these white spots, numbness, and headaches that I should have him check for? Has anyone else experienced this??  Thanks! -JP

[JDR]

Thanks for everyone's replies.  For MTWIT, let me know how you make out with your investigation for MS.  I know it can be shocking so anytime you need to talk to someone I am a great listener.  I also wrote back to the other girl, Sammi, hopefully we'll be able to connect soon and correspond.  Take care!

[mtwite]

I not sure that I have MS, but I have several symtoms.  I am working with my doctor to find out if this is the problem.  I am interested in the stages.

[sammigirl]

JDR,

I too have MS, if you want a pal  email me.  I'm 37 f and I am on one of the ABS drugs.

kay.***@****

[JDR]

Thank you doctor for the great information.  I really appreciate the thoroughness of your answer.  I forgot to tell you that I am female and 39, not that it really makes that much difference but I forgot to put that down.  

Thanks again, JDR

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Hope you have received some IV steroids with the new diagnosis and have been started on some kind of maintenance therapy with one of the ABC drugs. Primary Progressive, Secondary Progressive, and Relapsing-remitting are all terms for different clinical presentations of MS rather than staging. Relapsing-remitting is the most common type and is characterized by flareups and then recovery. Everyone is different as you mention, but flareups usually last a few weeks or so and get better on their own, sometimes a little better/faster with steroids (which does not the change the overall course).  Over time, many of these patients develop secondary progressive disease in which they don't recover and just continue to get worse, but this doesn't happen for at least 15-20 years for the people that do undergo this progression. Then there are the primary progressive patients who are typically older men that unfortunately just have the kind of MS that goes downhill from the very start.  What type you are really depends on your own clinical presentation.

As for the fatigue, it is unfortunately a very common symptom our patients report and is not in itself indicative of an exacerbation. This can sometimes be treated with amantadine or provigil.

You understandably have many questions about your disease and its prognosis. It's important to talk to your doctors and get information from accurate sources. There is a lot of wrong information out there, but these are pretty reliable organizations where you can learn more about MS.
MS Assoc of America: http://www.msaa.com
MS foundation: http://www.msfacts.org/main.htm
National MS Society: http:www.nmss.org

Good luck