Okay so I will introduce myself here. My name is Becca and I am 23 years old. I grew up with a mother with MS my whole life, and she raised me to be who I am today. Long story short my issues began at age 18 when I woke up one morning and couldn't see out of my right eye. The ER flushed it and I could still not see. Went to the eye doctors and got an optic neuritis diagnosis, when they did an MRI on me only one lesion was found at this time (they weren't keen on diagnosing me with MS because it was one lesion, come on the optic neuritis was a red flag) so I decided to keep living my life normally once my vision came back. I was doing well until an episode of vertigo where I couldn't stand up for three days when I was 21. This subsided, but I was too scared to go back to the doctor.
I am 23 now, and am currently on medical leave since November, because I was having vision changes and weird heavy/lightheaded head sensations. I almost passed out at work, and came to the conclusion that it was time for the doctor and ask for another MRI because something felt wrong. They found several white matter lesions in my brain so the doctors are leaning towards an ms diagnosis like my mother. They are doing a spinal tap in February, than figuring out my treatment once this is verified. In the past week I have had weakness on my right side, with a numb/heavy feeling in my right leg/right arm, especially after showering or being in the cold (even exercising) so things are difficult and scary right now, sometimes I feel like I am dragging my leg through mud as I walk. I'm so young and I am preparing for the diagnosis but mainly joined here for support through this new journey. I am terrified and can't get an appointment for these new symptoms sooner. Is there any advice you all have for me? In a matter of months I can't do half as much as I used to (I previously worked overtime, could carry heavy laundry, walk far without my head feeling funny) and I am anxious to get meds so I can somewhat have my life back.
How did you cope with your MS diagnosis? What medications are good to try at first? How do you exercise (what kind) without exhausting yourself? Do you recommend medical marijuana as an additional way to treat symptoms? What symptoms do steroids have? (If this keeps up I have a feeling I'll be on some if this is a flare up) Did you still choose to have children?
Thank you for reading.. a lot going through my mind
Post Edited (poisoneddoll) : 1/15/2015 11:47:03 AM (GMT-7)