Hi guys,

I would like to ask for your prayers to help me through a very tragic situation, that unfortunately will be a life long struggle for me.

I was diagnosed this week with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which is an incurable, degenerative disease of the central nervous system.   It doesn't  kill you, but over time  your nerve cells are so damaged that you can end up in a wheelchair, blind, incontinent, paralysed, and mentally confused or forgetful.  Many people with this can no longer work and must go on disability.

I can't believe this is happening to me.  I have always been so healthy and physically fit.  My whole life has changed for the worse, in just the last few weeks.  I'm scared, as this disease is very unpredictable, and is different from one person to the next.

My main problems right now is numbness in my legs and left hand.  Did an hair extension install today with a left hand I could barely feel.  My legs are also sore and I feel my balance is a little off.

Anyway, I would like to ask for prayers or advice from anyone who knows about or has this aweful disease.

Lisa

Thanks AMM

Both you and Jenny RR seem to know so much about a variety of topics, how do you guys do that?

I had an MRI which showed some areas (not sure how  many, but more than one area) of 'plaques'.  I'm sure more testing will be necessary, but the doctor reading the MRI said the plaques were most likely caused by MS.

I had symptoms of optic neuritis, but I didn't know what it was at the time.  That was just at the end of September, just one day before  I left to visit Seattle.  My left eye became extremely painful, with pain behind the eye and upon moving the eye.  It came and went within 4 days, so I thought it was just my weird eye allergies acting up.  It wasn't until almost two weeks later when I awoke with my right side from mid back to toes numb and tingly that I suspected that someone was really wrong with me.

Thanks so much for the words of kindness.  I'm just taking it day by day, but that's all any of us can do anyway, right?

im so sorry to hear that a friend of me got MS too and she s living with this for a long time now and shes still fitter than me

oh and my girl had the problem with the numbness in her right arm she was on medication 5 years ago and since then the numbness didnt come back

Lisa, Im so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was diagnosed with Lupus several years ago...and have been pretty healthy, despite the initial health problems that prompted medical treatment and diagnosis. Hang in there girl.....my heart goes out to you

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, metalgirl <3

I completely agree with the ladies about finding a good chiropractor - my aunt has been living with MS for many years, and seeing a chiropractor regularly is a integral part of her therapy.

metalgirl - my mother was diagnosed with MS 30 years ago - right after I was born.  She has the progressive type.  Growing up with it, I know what a struggle it can be, but I also know what huge strides they have made in medication.  When my mother was diagnosed in the 70's, doctors knew little to nothing about the disease.  She is now on a drug that has really slowed down the progression and there are encouraging studies being done with stem cell research.  Keep faith and always push your doctors to research the newest meds out there. 

K

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well. Keeping it in the day is difficult to do with the devastating news you recieved.

I think that with your good attitude and outlook on life, you will still have a happy and successful life filled with family, friends and alot of support from all the lives that you have touched with your kind heart and soul. Just from reading your posts it is evident that you are a warm and giving person. I have always enjoyed reading whatever you post with your nonjudgemental and carefree attitude.

There are many good suggestions already posted. Remember that God doesn't close one door without opening another.

*hugs* Im so sorry.  I know how your feeling though, when I was 19 I was diagnosed with kidney disease.  The first few weeks after you've been told is the worst, but you are strong and you'll make it through. 

I wish the best for you and I know you'll do well in life

hi metal -

i'm so sorry. here is the website for the national MS society - it looks like they have some support groups, etc set up in your area:

http://www.nmss.org - http://www.nmss.org  - enter your zip and the chapters will pop up.

i totally agree with amm here - so often i've heard of this diagnosis being sort of a "well it isn't this or that so it must be MS". i am not really experienced at all with chiropractic, but as a vet i can say that so often there is a cluster of neurologic diseases - all slightly different in their origin and what they affect - that are difficult to discriminate from one another. get a 2nd AND 3rd opinion, see a specialist, go talk to the people at the local MS chapter and see who they recommend and hear their experiences.

best of luck to you and my prayers are with you! i applaud you for wanting to get all the info you can now.

cheryl

Thank all  you guys, your awesome!

I have to wait to see the neurologist until Dec.1st.

I am going to start eating only organic foods, resume accupuncture, meditation, Qidong (it's like Tai Chi) , get a personal trainer, etc.  I'm not giving up so easily!

By the way, I would caution anyone to consume the artificial sweeterner 'aspartame'.  Some dr.s believe it can cause MS type symptoms.  Do a google search on 'aspartame and MS' and you will get info about the horrible effects the sweetener can have on the body.

hi metalgirl - those all sound like great options.

my own personal philosophy now is sort of moving towards staying away from all the processed foods/ artificial additives, and sweeteners. The other thing i'm really beginning to believe helps to quiet inflammation and curb/slow many degenerative processes are antioxidants like vitamin E/selenium, alpha lipoic acid, etc. there is some evidence also that many chronic debilitating illnesses (mainly like lou gehrig's disease, a different progressive neuro disease, which i have some clinical experience with) especially in domestic animals isn't due to one thing but rather the result of oxidative damage/oxidants accumulating from all kinds of issues- antioxidants help slow/reverse the process in experimental and some natural cases too. a good natural antioxidant supplement (for vitamin E look for natural form: d-alpha tocopherol, the dL form is man made and crap).

i know some people megadose themselves with vit C and E; for water soluble vitamins like C you pretty much eliminate excess when you urinate, but for vit E i think you have to be super careful with higher than recommended doses because it's fat soluble and will get stored and that alone can cause problems. 

good luck!

Lisa, you're such a strong woman, and such a fighter...  keep your head up thru this tuff time... my thoughts and prayers go out to you. (I totally agree w/Amm about the second and third even, opinion) 

oh honie- i am crying reading this, i will be praying for you daily and know if there is anything i can do, please just ask.... OKAY???

i love you

S

Shoot  That's some crappy thing to deal with, metalgirl. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I don't know how much confidence you have in your diagnosis, but if there is any hope that more tests may change your outlook, I wish it to you.

Several years ago, I was having issues where I was having anaphylactic reactions almost every time I left the house, I seriously thought I was dying. Turns out I'm allergic to gluten and it's triggered by exercise. Just one of those bizarre new things that seems to be popping up to f*ck with people, but easily enough controlled, once you identify it. I don't know. I just hope something works out for you. You give so much to the board and it's members. We really appreciate you here.

Hey Metalgirl,  you are in my prayers every day.  I think you are making wise choices.

   Don't let fear bring you down.   Love and Kisses ,  christina

Oh no metalgirl, how can such thing happen to such a nice person.  I am very upset by the news and I wish you luck and anything you will need to defeat this disease.  Please stay strong and be positive, with these days technology, you never know one day there may be a cure. 

My prayers will be with you, best of luck!!!!

Dear Metalgirl,

I just wanted to tell you that I am sending you warm, positive, healing thoughts. 

In fact, right now I am bombarding you w/ them...

I think Rae and Syren covered it! How can I follow that...

My prayers are with you