Does anyone have Multiple Sclerosis?!

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No one can tell you what you will have to live with. It could be nothing apart from the daily/every second day/weekly injections. The thing with multiple sclerosis is that it affects everyone differently. Some people will have no symptoms what-so-ever, others will end up bedridden and dependent on care. A rule of thumb is that the progression of the disease the first 5 years after onset will indicate whether it will be benign, average or aggressive, but it is not a guarantee. Dormant MS can suddenly become active, aggressive MS can suddenly go dormant.

An attack is when your body's immune system attacks your body's neurons. You might not notice it, but some symptoms can be sensory disturbances (tingling, pins and needles, and similar) in parts of your body, vision loss, bladder problems, drop foot, problems walking, partial paralysis etc. - all depending on what part of your nervous system is attacked. An attack is usually a lot less dramatic than the name implies. Unless you saw the doctor because of fatigue, then the symptoms that made you see a doctor were the results of an attack, so you've already had at least one.

With relapsing remitting MS, the symptoms of an attack will usually fully or partially disappear again after a while.

The website of the National MS Society should be able to answer most of your questions:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.a…

I know from myself that an MS diagnosis is scary and confusing, and while it is important to read about the worst case scenario and try to related to that, it is also important to remember that the majority of patients with MS lead normal or near normal lives.

My advice is to take your time to get your head round the diagnosis, don't panic, but do start on one of the CRAB drugs (copaxone, rebiff, avonex or betaseron), studies have shown that the earlier you start disease modifying treatment, the better your overall prognosis will be.

On the other hand, don't go out and spend all your money on the alternative treatments. There's nothing wrong with looking into them, but don't make any decisions until you have a clear head, and keep in mind that none of them have been scientifically proven to work and that some of them can be harmful to you, so always speak to your neurologist before trying out a non-approved treatment.

All the very best to you. For what it is worth, now 8 years after getting my diagnosis, it hasn't been anywhere near as scary and as terrible as I first imagined. I have not joined any, but there are great support groups for the newly diagnosed if you feel this might help you or if you just need someone to talk to.

Diagnosed with MS in 2003.

I recommend watching these videos. They all have the same thing in common - they reversed their MS. :)

Reverse it: My experience with MS >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35v7UFpBP…

Woman reverses MS after 11 years in a wheelchair >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXXg49vz…

Healed from Multiple Sclerosis and psoriasis! >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFhjBmENT…

RedAngel

I was officially diagnosed in 2000, I'm 39, but had symptoms/attacks for years. I don't know your situation, but for me knowing was better than not. Instead of attack, try using the word exacerbation. Doesn't sound so scary ;) I haven't had a true exacerbation(attack) in about 2 years, but my symptoms are worsening, and I have never fully bounced back from the attacks that I did have. But I just gave up my wonderful job a year ago, so life does go on around this disease. It is not the end of the world. My advice on what to expect? Don't expect anything. This is a mysterious, ever changing journey we are on. Symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, vision problems, vertigo, problems walking (the list goes on), will come and go. Sometimes creeping slowly up, and sometimes hitting you like a truck. Then they could leave as quickly as they came, or hang around. Learning to adapt is key. Do start on one of the CRAB meds. Read up and decide about side effects, convenience, etc, and make an informed decision. I am on copaxone daily injections. For me it's easily tolerated. Had a harder time with Avonex. Also, try to stay healthy. Fevers and infections as well as heat can cause flare ups. And have your Vitamin D monitored.
Life is a journey. These kinds of things can make us or break us. Choose to be stronger because of it. My situation? Brought my family even closer. I've had a bad year and a half or so, but I love life. Be prepared to deal with emotional issues as well. Being terrified is normal. Find your strength, inside yourself and from family, friends, faith. Good Luck to you and everyone with this scary, painful, life changing disease. Please feel free to email me if you'd like to talk.