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What Now?

3 months ago my fingers and feet went numb, this progressed to leg and arm pain and weakness, fatigue, depression, brain fog.
Went to doctor and was referred to a neurologist and after 3 MRIs got a presumed diagnosis of MS. Have a lumbar puncture this week to definite the diagnosis
Started using a cane to stabilize my walking when I go out
Neurologist is starting the process to begin taking Ocrevus
I’m 54 years old and I know that is too old to get this, which is making me question every ailment I have had in the past.
Don’t know what type of MS I may have, how can I start treatment if that is not known is beyond me.

Sorry for rambling but I am confused and not a little bit scared

  1. Hi . A new diagnosis can be so overwhelming. I am sure this is not what you expected at your age, but you are actually pretty close to the average age of diagnosis. Chances are that you have had MS for a few years, but didn't know it. My father had MS for almost three decades before he was diagnosed. Doctors determined his year of onset by looking back at his medical records. Here is an article with some advice for people who are newly diagnosed that you might find helpful: https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/a-few-thoughts-for-the-newly-diagnosed. Here is another article about preparing for a lumbar puncture: https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/ensure-painless-successful-lumbar-puncture. Here is an article that discussion medication options for MS: https://multiplesclerosis.net/treatment/managing-the-disease-progression. Take some time to research them and decide whether Ocrevus is right for you. It is impossible to know how your MS will progress if you are diagnosed because no two journeys are ever the same. You might never get any worse than you are now. In fact, medication might make you feel a bit better. It takes time to learn to live with and eventually embrace that uncertainty. It is important to give yourself that time. Please know we are here for you whenever you need support or a place to vent. Keep us posted if you feel comfortable doing so. Thinking of you! - Lori (Team Member)

    1. Thank you, really feeling it today though, seems to get a little bit worse every day

      1. We're here for you, always. It sounds like you have a lot going through your mind right now, understandably so. Lori left you some really great information to check out. You are probably going to have a lot of questions and thoughts flooding in, which is totally natural and normal for a recent diagnosis. Just know that we're here for you if you ever have any questions or just need to talk it out to people who get it. Sending lots of love your way. 🧡 Kayleigh, MultipleSclerosis.net team

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