I have often been asked when the onset of my MS happened and my answer has usually been 2006 after my
first MRI showed spinal cord lesions and a lumbar puncture showed demyelination and my pcp said, "I have no doubt that you have Multiple Sclerosis." A dark lesion I was told meant an old lesion. How old?
In 1977, I had to drop out of attending UC Santa Barbara University because of a myriad of symptoms matching MS and yet, although I went to several doctors, none could give me a diagnosis. But, by 1979 I was back at San Diego State University feeling almost normal again.
Then, in 1988, the MS symptoms returned and I was even diagnosed with mono. I never quite recovered and had to quit my job in 1991 as I kept falling asleep at work. I had already been diagnosed with narcolepsy.
In 1995, I was feeling better again but in 1998 all the MS type symptoms returned including excruciating headaches and often I spent all day in bed I was so weak. Still, no diagnosis.
By the year 2000, I was feeling very much better and continued feeling better, almost normal until the year 2006
when the MS symptoms returned but this time I had a smart doctor who ordered my first MRI and lumbar puncture. She saw what 7 previous doctors failed to see ; the signs of MS. I finally had a diagnosis.
So, is it possible that the onset of my MS was in 1977
and not in 2006? Going through periods of getting bad then getting better then getting bad then getting better.
Well, the diagnosis was RRMS.
first MRI showed spinal cord lesions and a lumbar puncture showed demyelination and my pcp said, "I have no doubt that you have Multiple Sclerosis." A dark lesion I was told meant an old lesion. How old?
In 1977, I had to drop out of attending UC Santa Barbara University because of a myriad of symptoms matching MS and yet, although I went to several doctors, none could give me a diagnosis. But, by 1979 I was back at San Diego State University feeling almost normal again.
Then, in 1988, the MS symptoms returned and I was even diagnosed with mono. I never quite recovered and had to quit my job in 1991 as I kept falling asleep at work. I had already been diagnosed with narcolepsy.
In 1995, I was feeling better again but in 1998 all the MS type symptoms returned including excruciating headaches and often I spent all day in bed I was so weak. Still, no diagnosis.
By the year 2000, I was feeling very much better and continued feeling better, almost normal until the year 2006
when the MS symptoms returned but this time I had a smart doctor who ordered my first MRI and lumbar puncture. She saw what 7 previous doctors failed to see ; the signs of MS. I finally had a diagnosis.
So, is it possible that the onset of my MS was in 1977
and not in 2006? Going through periods of getting bad then getting better then getting bad then getting better.
Well, the diagnosis was RRMS.
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