Re: Multiple Sclerosis

Originally Posted by sharona97

Dear dijmart,

It sounds like you have alot of willpower! That is awesome. Are u done with school at this point? Keep us posted!

I'm a new grad R.N. ......finished my degree in May!

I don't know that it's willpower?....
I think of it more like I refuse to be a prisoner of M.S. and don't allow it to consume my thoughts any longer. I realize there are limits to the stress I can handle, ect. but other than that, I don't focus on it.

What you concentrate on "expands"!!!

You are right, for all you have been through. Mind over matter? It's your motivation despite the MS that I was complementing you (and all other MS posters) on.

Best of Luck

Sharona

Re: Question re: Copaxone-HELP!!!

Thanks so much dijmart and robinbird for your replies about Copaxone. I guess I am just going to have to get used to it! I definitely learned that it is better at room temp than straight out of the fridge but it still hurts quite a bit. Oh well, I guess I just have to grin and bear it!

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

I had an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine this week and my Neurologist called me and said it was "normal". I am set-up to have another MRI of the brain in 3 months. I guess I expected a diagnosis to take a long time. In the meantime, what am I supposed to do with my symptoms? I went to see my primary Doc and he ran some labs, but nothing explains anything. In the meantime, I have missed work all week, because I feel that every ounce of energy has been sucked out of me.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am feeling desperate.

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

Ask your doctor if you can try Provigil. I had tried several other meds for MS related fatigue and nothing worked until this one. I can't believe how much more energy I have since I started on it. It isn't perfect but it sure has improved things for me. Maybe it will be right for you?

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

I have just recently developed symtoms...blurred vision in rt eye, numbness and tingling in rt extremities. I originally went to an opthamologist b/c that was my only symptom. He ordered an mri of head and says he wants to refer me to a neuro-opthamologist. My mother has MS so I'm thinking the odds that this is also what I have are pretty good? So I would like to push him to refer me to a neurologist. how do you find a neurologist who specializes in MS? I guess I could ask one of the neurologists who work in my unit, but I still feel a little odd disclosing this to people I work around. Any thoughts? Also, I am a male and I have heard that MS progresses more quickly in men, is this true? Or is it purely case by case in men as well? This is a very difficult time, I can't express how grateful I am to have found this thread... you have all made me feel not so alone. Thanks.

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

Hi, I am sorry that you are going through this. All of us who have a diagnosis have at least SOME understanding of how you are feeling. It is a tough time, hang in there, believe it or not it does get better, at least in terms of your emotions. If what you have is relapsing-remitting then it also gets better in terms of your symptoms as well!
I think you should ask your primary physician for a referral to an MS specialist. Or, another option is to call a neuro who does not work with you and ask the office if they are an MS specialist and if they say no then ask who is. Where do you live? I can tell you of a practice in Orlando, FL if you live near there.
Good luck with your search. And, although I know it is hard, try not to get too far ahead of yourself. YOu never know how this disease will manifest itself in any one particular person. Many of us do VERY well living with it. I was diagnosed just before I took the NCLEX so I know how you are feeling about your future in nursing. That was over 10 years ago for me and I am still a nurse! I hope that gives you hope.

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

Oooh, I forgot...try the MS Society. They probably have a list of specialists in your area.

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

I really appreciated reading your post. Like your wife, I have the gait problem and extreme fatigue, but I was just diagnosed in June of 2007. I often wonder "what have I done to deserve this". When I look at my children (ages 2, 4, and soon to be 13) I have to regroup my thoughts. I want to keep working but now I have to find something that is not so taxing physically for me. I feel like such a burden at times on my job as I can not admit patients with stairs or steps b/c I can not safely climb them . I know that their is somehthing out there for me to do, I just have to find it.

Re: Multiple Sclerosis

Originally Posted by anjane

I really appreciated reading your post. Like your wife, I have the gait problem and extreme fatigue, but I was just diagnosed in June of 2007. I often wonder "what have I done to deserve this". When I look at my children (ages 2, 4, and soon to be 13) I have to regroup my thoughts. I want to keep working but now I have to find something that is not so taxing physically for me. I feel like such a burden at times on my job as I can not admit patients with stairs or steps b/c I can not safely climb them . I know that their is somehthing out there for me to do, I just have to find it.

Sometimes it takes time to find your niche in job and life. I hope things sort themselves out for you

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