Well, it's official now.....

[ShockedToday]

I do indeed have MS per the MS specialist.  Oh, and he even told me that a negative LP does NOT rule out MS.  While I'm not excited about the news (who would be) I am relieved to finally know for sure.  I also found out I had deficits in areas that I didn't realize.  I guess I've been compensating for them.  I'm also not sure I would have been scheduled for cognitive testing until I totally lost my train of thought while speaking to him....more than once......lol.
Anyway, I will be starting Betaseron soon, so any advice will be appreciated.

[greenandchic]

Its better to know what you're dealing with than not.  I'm sorry to hear about your Dx and I hope you can find a home here with us.  :)

[ShockedToday]

I just want to thank everyone for your kind words.  Besides the people in the support group that I've been attending, you all are my only contact with people who know and understand what I've been going through.  

I'm handling it well, I think.  I've known for a while something is wrong and while I'm not anywhere near being happy to have MS, at least I know what is wrong and can thus deal with it.  It also reminds me that life is what it is and He has a plan for me regardless and maybe through my having this disease.  I just have to keep my sights set on that and all will be well.

Blessings!

[Deb61]

A bittersweet moment:  knowing that you finally can get treatment for serious symptoms and validating you have a serious disease . . . but, knowing that MS will be a part of your life from here on out.  

Having plenty of support, sure does help!  The people on this forum are a great source for that.  I also have found a couple of people with MS (besides my own sister!) that I visit with frequently, and they've been there when I just didn't want to burden my family with anything else.  Besides having a neuro I can trust, the support from others is what has been most helpful.

I've also heard great things about Betaseron--you've got a dependable drug to fight exacerbations!

Best wishes,
Deb  

[sllowe]

Hey there,

Well, here you are. I'm sure you are not shocked - Shock'd.

My gosh, how are you feeling about this?

I'm sorry, but glad you know now.

If it's any consolation, I have heard ALL good things about betaseron.  We do have (I think) a couple who are on it here, hope they are around. I'm on Rebif, a fellow interferon.

Hang in there and ttys

[Heather3418]

Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  I know it's a relief in one sense to finally know what's wrong, then as a little time passes you kinda go through a grief period that do indeed have MS.  At least that's what most people report after getting a diagnosis.

You know what I loved about getting my diagnosis?  All those people that said it was all in my head and I needed to pull myself up by my bootstraps and get on with the job of living.  They had to swallow those words.  Then I proceeded to call back an old Neuro and said, "Yes indeed, it sure was all in my head.  MS."

You are in my thoughts and prayers, precious one.  Lean on all of us.  You may go through an anger stage and please know what we will be here to help you out as much as we can.

All the Best,
Heather

[deborah0904]

I'm sorry for your dx, however; I'm sure this has to be of some relief just to know what is wrong.  Now, you can begin treatments.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Take Care,
Deborah

[Lulu54]

Welcome to the top of the mountain - I hate to tell anyone I'm glad you made it, but it is definitely better than the continous uphill climb with battling the unknown.  Now you can focus on controlling this MonSter -

Please take lots of time to process what you've been told and then get on with living the best you can.  We're here for you as you enter this next phase.

My best,
Lulu
dx'd RRMS 9/08
copaxone user