Newly Diagnosed and pretty terrified

[VetTechWorld]

Hello, i am a 24 yr old veterinary technician who was just diagnosed 3/6/15 after an emergency MRI reveled a huge lesion on my cervical spine. Numbness/ Tingling in my right arm and starting in my left. Trying my hardest to be seen by the neurologist so i can get started on treatment. Also to top it all off i start my new job next week as a Specialty Technician in surgery and im scared if i dont get started on treatment then i will mess up or not be able to perform properly. My dr advised if i cannot lift my arm i need to go to the emergency room to be admitted on IV steroids. Scary to hear that and im just scared of the unknown, will this ever go away or am i slowly going to keep getting worse any help or encouragement would be great.

[JerryD]

Hi and welcome to the boards. I know that this MS stuff is scary. There are so many unknowns in this disease, so don't despair. Let me offer some well meaning advice, free. Take it for what its worth. You should be seeing an MS specialist. If you have a neurologist, ask how many MS patients are seen in his/her practice. Believe me, the specialist is 'very special'. Be careful with the IV steroids. They can have some interesting side effects. But if you ask the neurologist the questions that you posed here, the answer will probably sound a lot like 'HOPE'! Good luck ! My neurologist is an MS specialist and you wouldn't believe the amount of 'hope' s and 'good luck' s I hear for the $500.00 visit fee. Don't worry they are very close to solving this ageless mystery disease. Keep posting. I am only this sarcastic in the early weeks of the month !

[SNOOPY]

Hello VetTechWorld and welcome to MSWorld.

Trying my hardest to be seen by the neurologist so i can get started on treatment.

If you have not seen a Neurologist yet how did you come by your diagnosis of MS?

will this ever go away or am i slowly going to keep getting worse

There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

It is possible for symptoms to resolve and not be much of a problem but it can take time to know if this will be the case.

Try to remain calm and see what the Neurologist has to say.

Take care

[Phoenix822]

Breathe. Just breathe.

I am sorry for what you are going through and can imagine how scared and freaked out you are.

First of all, I second (or third?) the recommendation that you see a neurologist who specializes in MS. It makes a difference.

Having said that, I can't offer you much more than hope. I'm pretty sure you don't feel lucky at the moment, but knowing is better than not knowing. You are fortunate in that. Once it's known, there are treatments that may help you. Hang in there.

Phx
(I'm new here, too)

[VetTechWorld]

Neurologist

This neurologist does specialize in MS. He is also an assistant professor at Harvard for neurology and has been specializing in MS for over 30 years. Every article around my area that talks of MS he is an author or something they seek to for advice. Thats probably why when i asked for an appointment they said it wouldn't be until may. Luckily i have a persistent doctor and tells me he will speak to him himself and get me seen this week because every single day i am getting worse.

Today its trouble opening my right hand if i make a fist.

My primary and radiologist both said it was MS. The lesion is huge and i guess it would explain all of my symptoms. It could be something else but at least if its Ms i know there are treatments to help. When i have my appointment with the neurologist i will get a better answer, i dont want to do spinal taps or anything like that unless the dr recommends it.

[SNOOPY]

Hi VetTechWorld,

My primary and radiologist both said it was MS. The lesion is huge and i guess it would explain all of my symptoms. When i have my appointment with the neurologist i will get a better answer, i dont want to do spinal taps or anything like that unless the dr recommends it.

It is very possible that what was found on MRI is Multiple Sclerosis but, further testing and a Neurological evaluation may be needed before receiving a definite diagnosis.

Best wishes on your up coming Neurology appointment.