MS + nursing school... doesn't mix!

[Lwinter2]

HELLO MY NAME IS LAUREN AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DX WITH MS. I STARTED HAVING SYMPTOMS A FEW MONTHS AFTER I HAD A CONCUSSION. LAST NOVEMBER I SUSPECTED THAT I HAD MS, BUT I DIDNT TELL ANYONE. SO FAR MY ONLY SYMPTOMS WERE SEVERE MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES EVERYDAY, FALLING A LOT, SLURRING MY SPEECH, HAVING WIERD SENSATIONS IN MY LEGS, MY HANDS GOING NUMB, UPPER BODY TWITCHES/TREMORS AND CHOKING ALOT. I TRIED TO IGNORE ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS AND IN A FEW WEEKS... THEY WOULD MOSTLY DISAPPEAR! THEN MY BEST FRIEND STARTED NOTICING MY POOR SPEACH, FALLING AND TREMORS. THATS WHEN I KNEW THAT THESE SYMPTOMS WERE FOR REAL.

I WENT TO MY PCP AND GAVE HER A COUPLE OF SYMPTOMS EACH VISIT. SHE WOULD JUST TELL ME IM TIRED OR STRESSED OUT AND SEND ME HOME. I DIDNT WANT TO BRING UP MS... SHE ALREADY THOUGHT I WAS JUST A SILLY NURSING STUDENT.

I HAD 3 FLAIR-UPS SINCE NOVEMBER 09 AND JUST WAITED UNTIL A DOCTOR WOULD NOTICE... THEN ONE MORNING IN SEPTEMBER, MY FIRST DAY OF OB/PEDS LECTURE... I WOKE UP WITH SEVERE SHARP EYE PAIN, IT WAS HORRIBLE. I REFUSED TO MISS CLASS AND WENT TO THE ER THAT NIGHT. THEY FOUND NOTHING AND REFERRED ME TO AN EYE SPECIALIST. THAT NIGHT I WOKE UP 3 TIMES SCREAMING BECAUSE OF THE PAIN. THE EYE SPECIALIST SAYS I HAVE ENLARGED OPTIC NERVES BUT THAT ISN'T CAUSING THE PAIN, HE REFERS ME TO A NEURO WHO SENDS ME TO GET A MRI. I WAS TOLD OVER THE PHONE THAT I HAVE A POLYP IN ONE OF MY SINUSES AND AN UNDEFINED LESION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY BRAIN. THATS ALL THE LADY TELLS ME AND THEN SCHEDULES ME WITH AN ENT.

I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY NEURO OCT 1, ENT ON OCT 5 AND AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY EYE SPECIALIST SOMETIME SOON TO DISCUSS MY FIELD VISION TEST RESULTS, WHICH IM ALMOST POSITIVE I FAILED...

SO HERE I AM, 20 YEARS OLD, JUST MOVED INTO MY VERY OWN APARTMENT, SUPPORTING MYSELF. IM A SENIOR IN A VERY COMPETITIVE NURSING PROGRAM. I WORK 25HOURS/WEEK AND VOLUNTEER IN THE HOSPITAL. I JUST STARTED DATING AND HAD MY FIRST KISS... HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE MY VERY WELL PLANNED LIFE WITH MS? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE AND GET MARRIED WITH MS? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST NICU NURSE YORK HOSPITAL HAS EVER SEEN WITH MS?!!! I JUST SEE MY ENTIRE FUTURE SLIPPING AWAY FROM ME...[/FONT]

[KoKo]

Hello Lauren

Welcome to the MS World Forums - nice to meet you!

Sounds like you have numerous neurological symptoms going on. It's good you are going to see a neurologist on the 1st of Oct. Hopefully the neuro will be able to give you some answers.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE MY VERY WELL PLANNED LIFE WITH MS? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE AND GET MARRIED WITH MS? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST NICU NURSE YORK HOSPITAL HAS EVER SEEN WITH MS?!!! I JUST SEE MY ENTIRE FUTURE SLIPPING AWAY FROM ME.

You may very well be able to accomplish your goals. Many persons with MS have a disease course that allows them to live normal lives.

No one has a crystal ball There's no way of knowing your future (or if you think about it, anyone's future!). Many of us have learned to live one day at a time, taking each day as it comes.

Your neuro appointment will be soon. Try not to catastrophize You haven't even been diagnosed yet.

Let us know what your neuro says (if you want to). We'll be here!

Feel free to ask questions. We'll be glad to help if we can. Also, we have a Young Adults Forum here if you are interested.

Wishing you the best.

Take care,
KoKo

[jenniferautumn]

Hurts my heart

It hurts my heart to hear you speak this way.

you are 20 years old and it's not fair that you have been robbed of a fair start at life. Please know this, the medication that is available now will help control the symptoms and the progression of MS. A healthy diet and exercise are important to anyone, not just MSr's. It may be confusing and depressing and just a regular pain in the a%% but, DO NOT GIVE UP!!!
You seem to have worked very hard to get where you are. Do not give up on your dreams. Do not let the symptoms get the best of you. Life happens. We can not dwell on the past or constantly question the future, all we have is the present. You are the present, school is the present.
As far as living a "regular" life. with a husband and kids....well you can not plan the way your life will go. So don't worry about those things.
I had "plans" too. This disease has changed me and in a way it is for the better. I can now take each day as it comes and really enjoy living in the present.
If you do have MS try to remember that YOU are YOU! you are not the disease. Keep going for everything you ever wanted. It will happen. Maybe it will all turn out a little different then expected, but it will be your life and it will be up to you to make the most of it.
If you do not feel that you are getting the attention that you need from your current doctors, I suggest you change them. You have control over your health. Be an active participant in whatever diagnosis you receive.
Everyday before going to sleep I say to myself..."I have an angel sitting on my shoulder, I am not alone and I am not afraid of anything anymore" It helps put things in perspective for me.
I am 29 and though I may be older then you, I am just beginning my life as well. I wish you all the luck in the world and don't give up!

[mlc]

So, how was the Neuro visit?

I hope things are going better!

How can you get married with MS? Welll, let's see... A gal I know got married *today.* She's known about her MS for about 2 years; she wasn't sure whether she was going to marry this guy when I met her a year ago (they were dating seriously but nothing was official); she had a serious attack this summer... and she got married today.

Oh, and she's continuing to pursue her career as a singer and voice teacher, in spite of symptoms that have changed her voice and limited her vocal range. She's as determined as you are.

If she can do it, so can you!

All the best!