Hmm... you mean Knowing for sure you've had it, or after DX realizing Just How Long you've had it?

I was only DX 2002, a friend in 1998 suspected it, 1981 was clearly an exacerbation that would have been recognized nowadays easily, 1978 was a clear attack that I remember, and in the earlier 1970s some strange 'allergic' reactions that were actually SX.

So that's over 35 years of memory

dx 1991

First episode at age 12 in 1960. Dx in 1992. Bed or wheelchair. Mechanical diet (food put thru blender).

Still hanging on.

DX 1991
use walker in the house
use wheelchair for any functions outside the house
overwhelming fatigue
bladder control problems
burning sensation on bottom of feet
usually need assistance getting in and out of bath tub
fall if not very very careful(#3 for 2007)cracked rib & fractured wrist
short term memory loss
had to give up job in 1996

I WAS DX IN 2005 BUT AFTER THE DOCTOR , MY MOM N MYSELF WENT THROUGH MY MEDICAL HISTORY WE CAME 2 THE FINDINGS THAT I HAVE HAD MS SINCE I WAS A KID. HAD MY FIRSR SEIZURE AT AGE 7.

Diagnosed 27 years ago. Completely ignored it for about 20 years, making lame excuses when I had an exacerbation, which was ok because there was no therapy available anyway. Life altering exacerbation came 8 or 9 years ago, could no longer ignore it. If its not bothering you, live your life to the fullest because you never know when the ax will fall.

DX 1999
Wheelchair-cant walk at all
chronic pain
limited use of hands.
first symptom 1996 which i ignored

Diagnosed in Dec. '94 with unnecessary surgery for misdiagnosed Hydrocephalus in Sept. '92. I am still ambulatory. Fired in 2001 for what I now know were cognitive problems from my MS.

Still ambulatory, use Intermittent self-catheterization and ditropan.

Larry

Dx'd 1994, but may have had sx since 1991. I am ambulatory, have trouble driving due to visual problems, and foot numbness. Can't walk or stand long without assistance, (usually my husband), Use a cane for walking when alone, and have power chair for long outings, use scooters when shopping alone.

I was diagnosed in 2005 with MS symptoms although the diagnosis wasnt completely clear and returning in Dec to try to get some sort of solidness to it. I was told I had the onset of MS symptoms since 7th grade (1977), so I've dealt with symptoms all my life. I have a pattern. The fatigue never goes away, just varying intensities of it. I began with a few symptoms. At the time, didnt know what it was. So you go with the flow. Doctors at the time didnt see a thing. Then after a time, the symptoms calmed down. The fatigue calmed but didnt go away. Then the fatigue returns, and then the same prior symptoms return, more intense this time, and then MORE symptoms appear, ...one by one by one by one....and then after a time things calm down....and then it all starts up all over again...just with more intensity...the same symptoms as before...and then one by one by one, more symptoms. It was the symptom trail that my doc caught it. It was harder to deal with when I didnt know what "it" was. Now that I know I know better how to pace myself and how to better take care of myself. And DS MS friends/family have been such a HUGE blessing to my knowledge and emotional health! Hugs! Ellen

I was diagnosed Thnaksgiving Weekend 1994! Happy Anniversary to me....NOT! I have lost the vision in my right eye. Other than that I am doing very well. Fatigue, numbness, and the tingles are the worst of it luckily. I have adapted to having one eye and still am able to do all of the things I love.

I was dx in 1997. Second opinion said I did not have it--that lesion could have been caused by a bad coughing spell. Third dr said not sure. I can not have an MRI because I have a spinal cord stimulator implant for back pain. I think I have MS but it is slow progressing and not as extreme in symptoms as many of you have. Tired, tingles, loss of balance, blured vision...I am on SSDI for bipolar and back pain. Life can be a curse but I am thankful for the blessings too. Boy am I ever rambling here. Anyway--a blessed Thanksgiving to all.

MS since 1992. Ignored it for 12 years and only had some slight problems with fatigue and vision loss in my left eye. Then in 2004 had a bad exascerbation and went on Betaseron. Problems with numbness in my face and extemities. Weakness in my left arm and right leg. Partial vision loss in my left eye. The worst part for me is cognitive losses. I cannot think well at all anymore and my short term memory is practically nonexistent. Memory and emotions are so bad that my nuero put me on Namenda which is for Alshiemers patients. I don't leave the house by myself anymore and I'm exhausted after 20 to 30 minutes of any activity and I must stop and rest for several hours.
My sister was diagnosed with MS a few months before me. Her MS was primary progressive from the beginning and she now resides in a nursing home. She is unable to walk or care for herself but her cognitive functions I would say are better than mine.
My cousin has had MS for about 12 years I think and she is doing well, still works part time but suffers from fatigue and muscle weakness and some cognitive issues.

i was dx 16 yrs ago with rrms it has turned into spms in about the last year or so. I found that very difficult or am finding it very difficult to accept, so I am trying alternative therapies well 1 to start with it is called CRA contact reflex analysis I have only had 1 treatment so for will let you know how it goes. Also I am eating healthier trying to quit smoking and using a cane I am just trying to change my lifestyle recently because nom one else can do it but me!

I was dx 27 years ago, am doing ok, I ware a brace on my left leg and use a cane to walk,I loose balance alot and fall down, I lost some strenth on my left hand and arm I'am also having memory problems,but I don't give up,I'am still walking.don't give up MS is just a challenge you have to show it who the boss is.even on your worst days fight it don't give up. Good luck