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    Thanks for letting me join.

    Good morning. I'm very nearly 60, have been diagnosed for 3 years with RRMS, and currently am on Copaxone 40 mg. I had a neurological "event" (CIS?) over 20 years ago. The neurologist at that time did an MRI and LP to rule out MS or a brain tumor, but said the results were negative. A few symptoms showed up through the years, mainly headaches and deep aching pain in my legs. I was busy with 5 kids and part time work, but did have the leg pain checked into a few times with no answers. A relapse caused me to see my PCP, who ordered an MRI, and that showed multiple lesions. LP still showed no oligoclonal bands.

    I finally talked my husband into giving up the 20 acre farm to move to town, and am so grateful to be here now in a one-story house. I'm also grateful for good family and friends, the fact that I was able to raise the kids before this struck so hard, and for my faith. I can still quilt like crazy, do a little gardening, and play piano at church most weeks, and that's wonderful. We have a homely dog, and he forces me to get out and walk most days.

    My daughter was recently diagnosed with CMT, and though no one in my family ever mentioned being diagnosed, I have my father's "funny" feet. My daughter's neurologist told her "it's the most common neurological disease that no one has ever heard of." I do see a few threads about others who may have both MS and CMT.

    #2
    Originally posted by greatexp View Post
    Good morning. I'm very nearly 60, have been diagnosed for 3 years with RRMS, and currently am on Copaxone 40 mg. I had a neurological "event" (CIS?) over 20 years ago. The neurologist at that time did an MRI and LP to rule out MS or a brain tumor, but said the results were negative. A few symptoms showed up through the years, mainly headaches and deep aching pain in my legs. I was busy with 5 kids and part time work, but did have the leg pain checked into a few times with no answers. A relapse caused me to see my PCP, who ordered an MRI, and that showed multiple lesions. LP still showed no oligoclonal bands.

    I finally talked my husband into giving up the 20 acre farm to move to town, and am so grateful to be here now in a one-story house. I'm also grateful for good family and friends, the fact that I was able to raise the kids before this struck so hard, and for my faith. I can still quilt like crazy, do a little gardening, and play piano at church most weeks, and that's wonderful. We have a homely dog, and he forces me to get out and walk most days.

    My daughter was recently diagnosed with CMT, and though no one in my family ever mentioned being diagnosed, I have my father's "funny" feet. My daughter's neurologist told her "it's the most common neurological disease that no one has ever heard of." I do see a few threads about others who may have both MS and CMT.
    Hello greatexp

    Welcome!

    Thank you for sharing your story.

    Hope you continue to post, and share your experiences.

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

    Take Care
    PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
    ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

    Comment


      #3
      Welcome greatexp!

      Does your username mean Great Expectations? I love it and so happy you joined us. Glad you moved into town with a one story house and I imagine that's more doable for you.

      Hope you continue to share with us!
      1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
      Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

      Comment


        #4
        Welcome!

        You and I have many things in common.

        - We're a similar age; I'm 57.
        - We've both had MS for a long time. It's almost 18 years for me. Although I've been dx for 16 years; not 3. And my kids experienced many challenges growing up with a sometimes-very-sick mom.
        - I'm not a quilter or a gardener and I don't have a homely dog, or any dog at all. I do play piano.


        I love your positive post and I hope to see you around frequently! ❤️
        ~ Faith
        MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
        (now a Mimibug)

        Symptoms began in JAN02
        - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
        - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
        .

        - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
        - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

        Comment


          #5
          Welcome Greatexp! Glad you found us.

          Thanks for giving your background. I can imagine how hard farm life could be with MS. I am sure parts of it may be missed, but the simplicity of town life can really help manage symptoms.

          Sounds like you also have a great support system. We are always here as well. Hope to see more of you.
          Kathy
          DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

          Comment


            #6
            Nice of you to join us. Thanks for sharing your story and please continue to chime in as you see fit.
            The future depends on what you do today.- Gandhi

            Comment


              #7
              Hello Pleasant Lady!

              Your post has an understated elegance and warm which I, and everyone, greatly appreciate. Thank you for being so refreshing.

              Okay, now for the nuts and bolts, so to speak. If I'm out of place just pay no attention. Medically, a couple of things in your post jumped out at me.

              First, it is a bit unusual to be first diagnosed with MS at 57. Certainly, not unheard of by any means, but a bit of an outlier. If you don't mind me asking... did a neurologist specializing in MS make that diagnosis?

              Your daughter has CMT, which has a hereditary component. Your father has "funny feet"? I'm not sure what that is. But it makes one wonder if perhaps he had an undiagnosed neurological problem such as CMT. You see where I am going, don't you?

              It appears that CMT is hereditary, your daughter was diagnosed, your father may have had it, so is it possible you may have inherited a susceptibility to CMT? I mention it because about 20% of people diagnosed with MS have been mis-diagnosed according to epidemiologists.

              Please forgive me if I am being intrusive. These were things I wondered as I read your lovely post and I always want to be honest... even when I am way off base!

              Thanks again, I hope I didn't upset you.

              Best Wishes!

              Comment


                #8
                Hello greatexp and welcome to MSW.
                God Bless Us All

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Boudreaux View Post
                  Nice of you to join us. Thanks for sharing your story and please continue to chime in as you see fit.
                  Exactly! We should be thanking you for joining MSW! MS is the club nobody wants to be a member of, but I have found this site invaluable. I was diagnosed in '04.
                  Tawanda
                  ___________________________________________
                  Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 2004; First sign of trouble: 1994

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hi and welcome to the boards! Your post paints a nice, clear picture . Well written !
                    I agree with Myoak . As I read your post, I wondered about some of the things that Myoak pointed out. An MS specialist will have the specialized training to make the proper diagnosis. General neurologists are not trained to do this. Good luck. Come back often .

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