So Confused, Would Love Some Opinions

[SNOOPY]

If any others here have had experience with cognitive behavioral therapy or biofeedback and i would love to hear more about it.

Hi ChrisinAZ,

Below I provided two links which will give you an idea what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is as well as another type of therapy, Dialectal behavior therapy(DBT).

Both can be very helpful and there are some therapists who use both approaches.

Be aware therapy is a process so it can take time. Therapy is not a one stop, one day "fix." If you work the "process" in time you will see differences in yourself.

Information about CBT:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Sec...ContentID=7952

Information about DBT:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Con...entDisplay.cfm

I am getting 3 days of IV Solu-Medrol this weekend. Had the first round today and haven't noticed a difference in the numbness or LH sign yet. Doctor told me that if Solu-Medrol doesn't help, my severe anxiety may be a contributing factor to why my symptoms are continuing even though the initial lesion is presumably healing by this point.

It can take time to notice any positive effect from steroids, possibly several weeks. Lesions can heal but that doesn't necessarily mean symptoms go away, but sometimes they do.

I would say the majority of those with MS have lesions that heal yet many of us still deal with symptoms and disabilities.

Multiple (many) Sclerosis (scaring). Lesions shown on MRI is scaring. This means there has been damage to the Central Nervous System ( CNS).

Lesions can be active (inflammation), heal, disappear, and you can have more or less lesions. Steroids may shorten a relapse but they do not change the out come of the disease.

[KatieAgain]

Chris,

I am going to offer you some of the same advice, but different angle.

I had the Mother of all Flares because of a single cervical cord lesion. I did not take steroids and waited out the flare. It took about five months to remit, but I had some residuals. In 2008 and future years my MRIs showed no more cervical lesion. Yea!

Advanced to 2013...moved home, went into another Major Flare in April. Still...I am in a flare. I have changed Neuros and am back with an MS Center. Redid the MRIs to include the cervical cord and lo and behold two cervical cord lesions sitting there nice and pretty lit up like a Christmas tree.

I also learned, I have been in back-to-back flares...Not a single flare. Apparently cervical cord lesions make for some pretty nasty flares, it is prime real estate.

You should have been treated with IV Steroids...too late for that now...so it is a waiting game.

Should you be offered a DMD, IMHO, yes...but that is between you and your doctor.

Will your CIS turn into MS. Maybe not, here is your ray of hope to cling on...I personally know two friends of mine that had CIS, and it did NOT turn into multiple sclerosis. So hang on to that thought.

A lot of stuff is posted on the MS Boards to get support and knowledge...and honestly most of it is negative.

Here's to hoping your flare subsides and it is the last you will ever have.

[ChrisinAZ]

Chris,

I am going to offer you some of the same advice, but different angle.

I had the Mother of all Flares because of a single cervical cord lesion. I did not take steroids and waited out the flare. It took about five months to remit, but I had some residuals. In 2008 and future years my MRIs showed no more cervical lesion. Yea!

Advanced to 2013...moved home, went into another Major Flare in April. Still...I am in a flare. I have changed Neuros and am back with an MS Center. Redid the MRIs to include the cervical cord and lo and behold two cervical cord lesions sitting there nice and pretty lit up like a Christmas tree.

I also learned, I have been in back-to-back flares...Not a single flare. Apparently cervical cord lesions make for some pretty nasty flares, it is prime real estate.

You should have been treated with IV Steroids...too late for that now...so it is a waiting game.

Should you be offered a DMD, IMHO, yes...but that is between you and your doctor.

Will your CIS turn into MS. Maybe not, here is your ray of hope to cling on...I personally know two friends of mine that had CIS, and it did NOT turn into multiple sclerosis. So hang on to that thought.

A lot of stuff is posted on the MS Boards to get support and knowledge...and honestly most of it is negative.

Here's to hoping your flare subsides and it is the last you will ever have.

Wonderful message, thanks for the taking the time.

[ChrisinAZ]

Hi ChrisinAZ,

Below I provided two links which will give you an idea what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is as well as another type of therapy, Dialectal behavior therapy(DBT).

Both can be very helpful and there are some therapists who use both approaches.

Be aware therapy is a process so it can take time. Therapy is not a one stop, one day "fix." If you work the "process" in time you will see differences in yourself.

Information about CBT:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Sec...ContentID=7952

Information about DBT:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Con...entDisplay.cfm



It can take time to notice any positive effect from steroids, possibly several weeks. Lesions can heal but that doesn't necessarily mean symptoms go away, but sometimes they do.

I would say the majority of those with MS have lesions that heal yet many of us still deal with symptoms and disabilities.

Thanks for this info. I will learn to be patient regarding the steroids and any future CBT/DBT as well.

[onlyairfare]

I think the world of Mayo, but I heard a neurologist from Barrow Neurosciences speak at one of those dinner meetings, and he sounded very good. I think the docs at the Barrow MS Center are pretty aggressive in treating CIS. They are located in Phoenix also.

When I have been confused, I have found it helpful to get a second opinion.

[Special Kay]

I was referred to a biofeedback therapist by my GP, so maybe you can ask one of your doctors if they know of anyone in your area?

My trainer was actually an RN who specializes in teaching biofeedback, which is basically: managing and, specifically, down-regulating your body's physiological responses to stress (hormonal, heart rate, blood pressure, vasoconstriction, muscle tension, etc.). She normally does a 10-week, once-a-week training process.

If you are stressed every day, your body is being bathed constantly in stress hormones such that your body cannot clear them. I say that not to make you feel worse, but to stress that what you are experiencing is a physical burden -- even more than a psychological one.

If learning biofeedback seems too ambitious to you, you might try meditation or mindfulness training. A lot of meditation centers and yoga studios offer meditation sessions at no charge, so if you call around, I'm sure you can find one.

Probably would take a half-hour out of your life, and you would see if it makes you feel any better.

[ChrisinAZ]

To be honest, I am getting a little fed up with Mayo. The experience has been easy and pleasant but I feel like the level of expertise into my condition hasn't been too far beyond what I've already known from my research. I am going to take the advice for another opinion from the Barrow Neurological Institute at St Joseph's here in Phoenix. No harm in trying to suppose.

Not to mention, I've been seeing a resident at Mayo. I know they've qualified but it just doesn't seem like it sometimes.

[AZairhead]

Hi neighbor!! I live in Gilbert. I was diagnosed in 2007. I used to go to the Mayo to see a ms specialist but I felt he was a little too conservative for me. I now go to Barrows. I have been there 3 years now. I have changed dr's three times since I have been going there. That is the only part I don't like....the positives are....my calls are always returned, rx refills always called in a timely manner, they listen and answer all my questions. When I go to my appt in Nov I will be seeing my 4th dr there.

Pam