New to MS and new here

[Jessi Marie]

Hi, my name is Jessi.
I'm 21 and I was just diagnosed with MS. A few months back, I lost feeling in my hands, but thought nothing of it. It eventually came back and a few weeks ago I started to lose vision in one eye - so I went to the doc, and sure enough. I should have been a little more concerned than I was.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I'm going to the doctor in a few days to get treatment options. As of now, I have very little vision in my left eye - and I'm praying it comes back soon!

Any advice or anyone who wants to introduce themselves - I'm open for anything

[Sarahsue]

I was diagnosed May 1, 2013. It was a huge surprise to me. I went to the doctor in October of 2011 because I had been having some numbness/tingling in my left thumb and pointer finger for about a month. I have had a vitamin B12 deficiency before so I wanted to get it checked. It was normal, my dr. put a brace thing on my arm because she thought I had a pinched nerve. When that didn't help, she sent me to a neurologist for a nerve conduction study.

The neuro decided I did not have carpal tunnel syndrome but I had nerve damage in my elbow. He sent me to an orthopedic dr because that is who would treat it. The orthopedic dr. said it wasn't in my elbow because me symptoms didn't match. He thought I had a pinched nerve in my forearm and sent me to a physical medicine dr. This dr. was a joke, didn't listen to me and talked over me when I tried to talk.

By this point, I was so frustrated. Every doctor I saw just sent me somewhere else or wanted to order random tests. I decided I was going to go see a chiropracter. She tried several different things and after about 3 weeks decided we needed to have an MRI on my neck.

It is now, March 2012. We had the MRI expecting to find a pinched nerve or some impingement. Instead the MRI showed lesions on my spinal cord. This was the first I had ever heard that it might be MS. I had the MRI on my brain and then needed to see a neurologist. I went back to the first neuro who told me it was a pinched nerve in my elbow. He said he didn't think it was MS because I didn't really have any symptoms of MS. I went to another neuro who was an "MS specialist" and she said it was MS but couldn't really give me a reason as to why she thought that. This was in May of 2012. I saw her a couple more times over the next year, but I heard a lot of "hmm...I have never seen that before" or "I don't know what that means."

In March of 2013 I asked my PCP for a referral to an MS clinic and I got an official diagnosis on May 1. I know have a diagnosis, a reason for that diagnosis, and a treatment plan. I am taking Tecfidera and keeping up a daily exercise routine. Fortunately, I am still able to do anything I want. I swim, walk, and do zumba.

Sorry that was so long, but I wanted to share my experience with you. I recommend that you try to keep a positive attitude, surround yourself with supportive people, and just live your life the best you can. Good luck on your journey!

[aitch10]

Hi Jessi!

Sorry you're going though all this. I wouldn't lose hope about your vision. Not long after my mom's DX in the 90's she lost her vision and it freaked. her. out.

Understandably.

The good news was that it went back to normal after a while.

Wishing you luck!

[Seasha]

Hi Jessi and welcome to MSWorld! I know it's scary losing your vision. It happened to me too many years ago and it was what finally gave me a confirmed dx after being in limbo for 10 years. My vision came back after a time and so will yours! Good luck with your Dr appt! You may want to do some searching on our medications forum to see what others have to say about their experiences.

Let us know how it goes and take care!

[CMK8]

Welcome!

Hello Jess!
I too have been recently diagnosed with MS. I am also still totally functional. I discovered my MS after seeking an answer for constantly tingling and buzzing in my feet and legs. Luckily I was able to get a quick answer to my problem. Sorry it took so long and you got the run around on your diagnosis. I am taking Copaxone and the side effects are quite bad for me. I went from feeling well to feeling bad to treat this. Keeping my hopes up that the side effects will decrease. Good luck to you!

[Singin'Gal225]

Welcome Jessi!
I'm not newly dx'd, but I am experiencing vision loss as a brand new symptom. I think with MS when you get something new, it's like being dx'd all over again, but that's just me.

It's only been two weeks (and a day!) for me since I lost the vision in my right eye, but it does seem to be improving a little each day - either that or I'm just getting used to it - and since most people report full or nearly full recovery, I am remaining hopeful, as should you - we will both be rocking useful eyeballs soon, you watch!

[Lazydaisy1]

Hi Jessi,
I was diagnosed in 2005. One thing I wish I would have know then is how important diet is! Changing the way I eat has made a huge impact on my health! Neuros won't tell you that, but I have come across so many people with MS who are following an anti-inflammatory diet and are doing so much better. In fact, I have not had a relapse (only mild symptoms) since altering the way I eat.
My nutritionist explains that the sooner one can start following a whole foods, anti-inflammatory diet, the better chance you have to prevent complications.