After limboing for 9 years, I'm now officially a newbie.

[FourPaws]

I finally got diagnosed by a MS specialist. It's been good to finally have answers though there is always that bit of shock I think. I have relapsing remitting. He said it was one of those ones that didn't really dot the i's and cross the t's but that there is no question that I have it.

No treatment at this time, revisit in six months with a full head/spine scan (he suspects a lot of my lesions are spine).

Relief. Whew. Now I have some learning and managing to do but it's better than just not knowing anything, never mind trying to explain that to friends/family.

[22cyclist]

Welcome. Sorry for the reason. It is weird that they are waiting to start you on a medication. Why the wait?

[minivanmama]

So glad that you now have answers. Take care and let us know how you are doing as time goes on.

Lots of (((hugs)))

[FourPaws]

Dunno 22cyclist. Assuming because the drugs have their own side effects and mine is more mild. It was kind of 'you have MS, we're going to revisit and do MRI in six months' and that was it. He was running a good hour behind in appointments and my brain was working on having it sink in.

So I have six months to get really educated and be able to ask good questions of him when I revisit in June. Any input/ideas are appreciated.

[Cat Mom]

Sorry for your dx FourPaws but as you said, it's better than not knowing anything. Did your doc suggest researching any med in particular? My uneducated guess for him not starting any med until you see him in 6 months would be that maybe he wants to see your MRI results at that time vs what they look like now (type of, size, or how many lesions).

I'm not sure which Province you live in but here, 6 months away is my neuro's next available appointment lol.
Jen

[FourPaws]

I am in BC - I went to the UBC MS clinic. A normal neuro here in town is a 8 month wait but I was in to the UBC clinic 3 weeks after the referral. They were great - saw a nurse and a neuro ophthalmologist. Now that I have the 'in' with them, I am free to call them for help when I have relapses or questions.

All of which is great. I'm still processing and rummaging around for stuff. I will go into our local ms society next week - they have dvd's I can borrow. A big problem is how to relate this to my husband properly. Because I have no new meds he feels that it is a wasted diagnosis in ways because 'it doesn't change anything'. Alas, no magic wand with this.

Does anyone have any input on the whole med thing? I know they have considerable aspects to them. I know that suppressing the immune system keeps it from attacking itself but it can also leave you open to infections and what not. I just don't know what things to ask, you know?

[22cyclist]

You might want to start with copaxone. It is not an interferon, and does not suppress your immune system. It also comes with very few side effects, the only one being injection site reactions.

You do not have to have liver tests, you do not have flu-like symptoms. I have taken them all, and Copaxone was my favorite in terms of feeling normal. I didn't even notice I was taking it other than the shots. They are no big deal really.

With Rebif and Avonex, I felt horrible. I eventually had bone marrow failure from them. But, mainly, I had flu-like symptoms (nausea, fever-controlled with advil, achiness). I just felt worse than with my MS!

I am now on Tysabri, I love it, it is much like Copaxone in terms of no side effects, but comes with much more risks.

Read up on them, but for me, I would start with the Copaxone. It is highly effective, and lets you live your life like normal.

Take care
Lisa

[Cherrymom]

Fellow BCer

Welcome. I've been at UBC for 4 years - they are super nice there. The wait can be tiring sometimes. I find myself exhausted after every appointment . It's bit strange they didn't offer you medication choices. Feel free to call and ask the nurse if you have any questions.