Diagnosed Yesterday

[Nay91400]

Hey everyone. My name is Renee (Nay) and I turned 26 last Tuesday. I was diagnosed with MS yesterday. Happy Birthday to me!

I don't really have symptoms per say. Its all very strange the way it happened. My mom has had MS for many years and was properly diagnosed 8 years ago. I on the other hand, had my first (and only) exacerbation about 1 year ago. Both of my feet were tingling and numb for a few days. I chalked it up to being a new runner, but just in case saw my primary physician who ordered a lumbar MRI because of my family history. Negative, moved on.

Well, this April I had a minor car accident (rear ended, still some neck pain.) Since the pain wasn't going away with therapy, that doctor ordered a cervical spine MRI. Surprise, surprise...1 inactive MS lesion. Followed by a brain and thoracic spine MRI...2 more on the brain and one more on the spine.

Next was the blood work, which showed high ANA cells...yay, "it may be Lupus." More blood work, appointment with Rheumo...not Lupus but don't know why your ANA cells are high.

Then, the lumbar puncture. "It won't really hurt, just a little sting and then some pressure"...HA. Not for me! Pain all through, muscle spasms for days after along with the wonderful spinal headache (which wasn't bad long as I was lying down, but lying down hurt my back so it was a pain...)

VEP was negative which was a blessing, but MS specialist pretty much confirmed that all signs point to MS and that he recommended starting treatment. So i will be starting Copaxone shortly.

I am planning a bowling fundraiser to benefit the National MS Society in October, and plan to run the Philly Half Marathon in November for I Run to Stop MS. However, I am not sure whether these issues are all mental (which everyone tells me they are) or I am beginning to have physical problems but my running has been suffering lately. I was up to running 7-8 miles at a time and lately am exhausted by the time I hit mile 1. Please don't let me be falling apart already...

[KoKo]

Hello Nay

Welcome!

So i will be starting Copaxone shortly.

Good luck with the Copaxone. Hopefully it will keep the MS at bay for a very long time.

I am planning a bowling fundraiser to benefit the National MS Society in October, and plan to run the Philly Half Marathon in November for I Run to Stop MS.

It's great to know that you are helping to raise funds for MS research - thank you!

However, I am not sure whether these issues are all mental (which everyone tells me they are) or I am beginning to have physical problems but my running has been suffering lately. I was up to running 7-8 miles at a time and lately am exhausted by the time I hit mile 1.

Maybe you are heat intolerant? Many of us with MS become fatigued when we are in the heat, or when our core body temperature rises for any reason (fever, infection, exercise, etc). The symptoms are relieved when we cool down.

It might be worth it to check out a cooling vest. You could see if you still have the fatigue when you keep your core body temperature cool.

In any case, it should be cool in November in Philly, so hopefully you won't become so fatigued (if it is indeed heat intolerance).

If you have any questions, just ask and we'll be glad to help if we can.

Take care,
KoKo

[Nay91400]

Hey Koko, thanks for the reply! I have a feeling you're right, my progress slowed down dramatically over the summer months this year, and I tend to run better at night so for next season, the cooling vest may be a good idea. Just hoping I can get through the training while its still semi-warm, because while the race is in November I have to be ready for the mileage which means training from now until then! We shall see. And my pleasure, I like to be involved, have been fundraising for Walk MS on behalf of my mom for a few years now and it definitely makes me feel less helpless.

[wkikta]

quote: "lately am exhausted by the time I hit mile 1", I haven't run a 100 feet in years. Keep going, the longer you do the better you will feel. The fatigue is most likely related to getting over heated, Nov. should be just what you need. Best of Luck!

[Nay91400]

Wkikta, thank you very much for that boost of confidence. I hope to be running for all of us in November.

[sunshine008]

hi and welcome!

what a breath of fresh air you are. newly dx'd and running and raising money! such a positive attitude. you'll do awesome, their right about cooling vests that should help.

your going to have a long great life. stay positive. i bet your an inspiration to your mom.

good luck with the run!

[Nay91400]

Thank you Sunshine!

You know, in some ways I am but really my mom is an inspiration to me. She works so hard to not just give up, even on her worst days.

I feel like its so unfair that they didn't catch her MS when she was younger like me, maybe she'd be in better shape now...but I know the medical field has come a long way. Regardless, she doesn't let it get the best of her. Many people on this board seem to be that way too.