Beth
Louisiana

I had my first symptom in graduate school at age 28. 18 days of vertigo. Explained as inner ear problem, it was bothersome, but then gone and forgotten.

Next came 2001. I had been working 1 year out of graduate school as a physical therapist, just built a new home with my husband and daughter. One morning, the bottom of my feet were numb. I kept stomping them around, thinking "what in the world?" Over a period of a week I was numb up to my belly button. In the hospital I went for 4 MRI's, brain and 3 areas of spinal cord; lumbar puncture, visual evoked potentials, EEG's, EMG's, etc. After all that, only the brain MRI showed possible multiple sclerosis. After IV steroids and prednisone, all went back to normal. My neurologist said not likely MS, but mild transverse myelitis. As a physical therapist, I knew this was not likely. I understand the tests and their meanings. I chose however to ignore the possibility it could be happening to me. I have a family to support in a very physical job!! This just can't be!

Now skip to 2005, slight blurred vision. Another MRI which showed some progression of plaques and likely MS. Still the visual evoked potentials normal and a opthalmic ultrasound normal, my neurologist not ready to give the diagnosis without possitive oligoclonal bands in the spinal fluid. He said " I don't want to make your life miserable by starting you on interferons without a positive spinal tap." So, the head went back into the sand and things returned to normal.

This week, Oct 2008, I woke in the morning to work out as I did for an hour every morning before work and I am stumbling; right side heavy and uncoordinated. Your kidding me, I think. Then fear, then tears. Well, I just finished 5 days solumedrol and prednisone tapering dose. Still the right side not really normal and very careful how I walk so as not to fall. I am just accepting that I have MS. Soon I will be scheduling my MRI and getting back to the neurologist who didn't want to make my life miserable by treating me. I want to do all I can to slow the progression of the disease!!!!!! I am still angry that as educated as I am about the neurological process of the disease, I didn't fight 7 years ago to begin treatment. I lead a very active life. I am thankful for my blessings. My daughter is 17 and about to graduate and so no small children to depend on me. My husband of 18 years is supportive, loving and understanding. I am determined this will not stop my living the fullest life possible. I will work out, do my 5 K's, fish, hike, and love like there is no tomorrow!!! I will fight and I want all of you to do the same!!!

Beth