So nervous right now
In to get an MRI of my brain. So nervous. My husband doesn't understand why. I tried to explain that often the MRI shows nothing but that doesn't mean I don't have MS. It just means the road to a diagnosis will be harder. He doesn't understand that they can't just test and say yep you have it or nope you don't. I love him and he is so supportive and great but I just needed to talk to people who understand why I am nervous. Add to it I won't get the results until next Tuesday makes it even harder.
I understand, Frogger32091. The early period where we just don't know is so frustrating. You're correct, receiving a clear MRI is going to make getting an MS diagnosis more challenging. That's not necessarily a bad thing though. If you're one of the very small subset of people who do have clinically isolated syndrome MS (CIS) your prognosis is very good. In fact, CIS sometimes goes away on its own. If your have relapsing or progressive MS, however, your only options are symptom management, and some really nasty med choices to slow down your immune system.
But yeah, not knowing sucks a lot.
If your MRI comes back clear, I'm going to suggest you and your hubby have a little celebration and book a follow up MRI for a year or two hence. Then talk to your doc about symptom management and go live your best life.
Take care, Frogger32091.
Hi
. offers some great advice. Was today the MRI? Please keep us posted if you are comfortable doing so. We'll be thinking of you and we will be here for you no matter the results. Sending lots of gentle hugs your way. - Lori (Team Member) got my results. I have 49 lesions. Haven't seen the Dr yet but I read the report. It is definitely MS and now I have to figure out where to go from here. Yet I find myself comforting my boss, my husband, my mom, and my kid. Who is going to comfort me and tell me it is all going to be OK? How do I pay bills once I can't work anymore. 😫 Oh,
. I wish those closest to you were more supportive and less needy. I understand having to comfort your child, but the others should know that MS is not terminal and that you need their help figuring out how to live your best possible life with it. As hard as this is right now, the diagnosis will help you get the treatment you need to feel better and slow the progression of your MS. It is quite possible that you will be able to continue working through normal retirement age. MS is a strange disease. It presents differently for everyone and the number of lesions are not always indicative of the severity of the disease. We've had people with just a few lesions who are profoundly effected and people with dozens who still function well. It can take a lot of time to adjust to that uncertainty. Now would be a good time to prepare yourself for your first post-MRI appointment with your doctor. Here is an article about MS treatments: https://multiplesclerosis.net/treatment. Becoming familiar with the available treatments and medications will help you to advocate more strongly for yourself when you have to make choices. Here is a wonderful article from one of our advocates with some thoughts for people who are new to MS: https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/a-few-thoughts-for-the-newly-diagnosed. I hope this helps. We are here for you always. - Lori (Team Member)
