Very confused and waiting still. I am new to this world of message boards so please bear with me I was inpatient for 5 days in February and was told I either have MS or NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica) and the treatments are very different. Since then I have been on steroid treatments until confirmation of the diagnosis.
I have heard conflicting discussions about MS vs NMO. Some people have said it is a form of MS while others have said it is a completely separate disease. While they present in the same manner...I had complete left side numbness and right hand paralysis which prompted hospitalization...my MRI showed 2 lesions on the right side of the brain and 1 elongated lesion on the upper spinal cord.
What I have read about NMO terrifies me and reduces me to tears. I am scared about this whole new journey to be frank, regardless of whether I have NMO or MS. Any thoughts, input, insight, about MS/NMO would be most appreciated!
Also...stupid question I am sure, but what is, if there is, the difference between "white matter" and "black holes"....I see those terms being used a lot in MS discussions....
Thank you!
I have heard conflicting discussions about MS vs NMO. Some people have said it is a form of MS while others have said it is a completely separate disease. While they present in the same manner...I had complete left side numbness and right hand paralysis which prompted hospitalization...my MRI showed 2 lesions on the right side of the brain and 1 elongated lesion on the upper spinal cord.
What I have read about NMO terrifies me and reduces me to tears. I am scared about this whole new journey to be frank, regardless of whether I have NMO or MS. Any thoughts, input, insight, about MS/NMO would be most appreciated!
Also...stupid question I am sure, but what is, if there is, the difference between "white matter" and "black holes"....I see those terms being used a lot in MS discussions....
Thank you!
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