Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.

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shellos8 05/31/2011

I just wanted to introduce myself real quick. I actually had typed a very long first post and then because my left hand is half numb right now I hit something and lost the whole thing!

Anyway, not feeling up to retyping that whole thing so I'll just say my name is Michelle, I'm 40 years old and I was just diagnosed with MS about 2 weeks ago. I've been in a flare since April 28th which is what prompted me to go to the doctor in the first place. Let's just say I've not been having a very good time lately. BUT the past 2 days I've seen a slight lessening of symptoms (left side numbness and horrible fatigue) and am hopeful that this flare is moving out.

I'm still in the process of getting on a medciation. My neuro really wants me on Betaseron but Anthem won't pay for it because it's a step therapy drug and they wanted me to try Avonex or Rebif first. I told my neuro that and now he's got his office calling the Betaseron assistance people to see if they can get me help in paying for it.

I've been posting at another board for a couple weeks but they are VERY heavily moderated and not very busy. I'm hoping I can join you ladies and gentlemen and get some much needed info and support. Thank you :)

EPagain 05/31/2011

Welcome to DS, there are lots of good people here to pose questions to or vent. Sorry you are going through a rough patch at the moment and hope your relapse will end soon.

Best wishes,
EP

deleted_user 05/31/2011

Welcome, there is quite a bit of good information on this site and we are all pretty much going through this crazy illness together!

deleted_user 05/31/2011

welcome michelle,you will really like this website, i am kinda new myself and do not post often but you can really post anything! pretty open minded here.

oleblue 06/01/2011

Hello Michelle and wecome to this site, I saw some of your other posts and personally I think you will like this site better at least I do. I'm 49 and just got told the bad news 2nd week of April.I know what you mean about the meds, my choice was rebif or copaxone and I ended up with rebif. I will be getting my first shot this week, I went through Shared Solutions for financial help my copay went from 989 to 25 a month. I also love being able to private message here and also like the variety of people who answer. Well the best of luck getting the meds you want and hope you come out of your flare soon. I don't know how many you have had but I've had only one bad one lasted about 2 months and was a good motivator to get on a DMD Well good luck again and welcome home (sounds better than site)

deleted_user 06/01/2011

Welcome Michelle! Sorry that you are going through a numb flare, I just finished my second numbness flare and it is quite scary to say the least. This is definitely a place to come to if you ever need to vent, ask questions, or just laugh (we have some great people that post awesome vids and jokes). I don't know much about the medicine you are taking, but I also have Anthem and get a nice piece of mail every week about whatever med I had refilled. Pain in the rear, those people can be. Good luck getting the treatment you need.

lchoppel 06/01/2011

Hi and welcome to the MS support group! This support community is out of this world friendly and supportive. I think we have such a fantastic group of people that come to this group, and I hope that you too will find this to be true. I like this forum better than others similar (like MS World, This is MS, etc.) because DS is a smaller community and everyone is so caring and concerning. People really get to know each other and care for each other. Plus we are open to anythnig you post to - no moderation here! Just refrain from name callilng.

I'm sorry you are currently in a flare. Did the doctor suggest anything to help you deal with the numbness, like steroids or another treatment? I hope so! I also don't know much about your new treatment. I've taken copaxone, avonex, and now I'm on tysabril Been diagnosed for 2+ years, and haven't accepted my diagnosis yetl

pj22 06/01/2011

Hi Michelle,,,
I hope you are feeling better, Just like everyone else has said, we are glad you are here, and most everyone here are wonderful, and there can be some great posts here that can give you some real good info.

Oh, everyone here is going to know what you are feeling which can be very helpful, when friends and family do not understand.

Take care and were here for you.
Pam

shellos8 06/01/2011

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I just wanted to clarify what I meant about the other board being heavily moderated. It's just that when you post a new thread or a response to a thread at the other board then a moderator has to approve it before it even shows up. Plus I've had my posts edited at the whim of the moderator. Something silly like taking a word out (not a bad word). No naughty words from me. lol

Also, this is my first flare and it's terrifying. I had a similar, although MUCH less severe event about 10 years ago but MRI's didn't show any lesions. The symptoms went away and I've been fine until April 28, 2011. The Monster attacked with a vengeance. Due to the number of lesions found with most recent MRI, my symptoms and the event 10 years ago, my neuro is confident in the MS diagnosis. Luckily for me he didn't feel the need for a spinal tap.

Hopefully today I'll know for sure if I'll be going on Betaseron. I'm anxious to begin. As for steroids, that hasn't happened yet but I'm wondering if I should consider it?

dxat59 06/01/2011

The steroids are what really helped me. I was told the injections just help prevent future flares. I'm on the Copaxone and they even have a program to pay my copay so it costs me $0 a month with my insurance.

AusSue 06/01/2011

Welcome to this group, sorry for the reason you are here though.
There are people that have had ms for many years & other that are new or still waiting dx. Don't be afraid to ask any ? or vent when need.
We all have good & bad times too. Also don't let people's other bad experiences scare you as this monster is different for everyone too.
We are all here to share, care & learn from each other so welcome.

deleted_user 06/01/2011

hi michelle!! my daughters middle name is that!! i saw where someone mentioned steroids- that helps to build you up- you get over something faster! i had a relapes even had a scan done- it was ms- again, it seems to do what it wants sometimes- but after oh 6 weeks i was fine!! crasy!! hugs!!

deleted_user 06/02/2011

Hi michelle, you might want to check if you PC has a sticky finger feature--for this numbness in your hand. your gonna find you do that often enough to check out the sticky finger feature in your PC.

i have a windows xp computer. I can go to thestart menu, then the control panel then go to the accesibility icon and in there you will find the sticky keys, filter keys, & toggle keys.

not sure what you have on your pc, but you might want to take a look at it.

Hi btw, i was diagnosed at 41. i started on betaseron too & was satisfied with it--let us know which way you end up going. there is not that much of a difference between betaseron & Rebif.

tarabunnyears 06/02/2011

Welcome Michelle. I wish your circumstances did not require you to be here, but since it does, a huge (((hug))) to you and a warm welcome.

deleted_user 06/02/2011

Welcome to the DS board. I'm pretty new myself and not yet diagnosed. I'm sorry about your diagnosis and that you have been having a hard time. HUGS. You are in the right place. People here are great and can offer support and advice, etc.
Best wishes to you. :)

deleted_user 06/02/2011

Hi Michelle ,I am new here but have been around a few sites hey where ever I can get information . I just started Rebif two weeks ago so far so good so if you need to know anything about my experience with drugs so far just ask as there is a lot of information out there but I find i am still search for many answers .And you are right some site are heavily moderated . In fact I think a few names here look familar ,.

Michele

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