In August or September, 1998 I was experiencing vertigo. There was a sinus
infection going around and I knew 4 people who had it and had vertigo with
it. I am prone to sinus infections in the fall so I went to the doctor for
antibiotics. After 2 courses of antibiotics the vertigo was still there so
she sent me for a CT scan and an MRI. A few days later she called to tell
me I had to go to a neurologist because it "might" be MS. I had visions of
the Annette Funicello movie! I went to see him and he told me I needed a
spinal tap, which I scheduled for the following week.

The results came back positive for MS!

I didn't really like the doctor and he was really pushing
Avonex, which I was not comfortable with. Rebif didn't exist when I
started and the side effects of Avonex & Betaseron scared me since I have a
child (1 at the time) and I was working full time. I was also scared of
intramuscular shots...I had insulin dependent gestational diabetes so
subcutaneous shots were familiar to me and less scary. I was also in
denial, so I decided to do nothing. In October, 1999 my company offered a
severence package to all employees at my level (middle mgmt.). I was at the
height of my career and managing a groundbreaking project which would
culminate in March. After a lot of soul searching I decided that since I had
good employees working for me the project would come off well without me and
I shouldn't make the decision to leave based on a 3-month project. I was
tired of having a nanny raise my son and he needed my attention for his
social development. So...I took the package, finished work on January 4th
and became a stay-at-home mom.

At that time, at the urging of my family and after experiencing a slight
exacerbation I decided to find a new neurologist and explore treatment options.
I found a wonderful doctor who really understood my concerns about the drugs
and recommended Copaxone, which I have been on since February, 2000.
He thinks I actually had MS since the mid-80's because of some numbness
and gait problems with my right leg and temporary, unexplained blindness in
first my right eye the a year later in my left eye.

He now says I am one of his most stable MS patients. I do have symptoms
though. He prescribed Provigil to manage the fatigue. Now I can make it
through the afternoon without needing a nap. I started taking Wellbutrin
for the depression. When I am really stressed or when I am on my
feet too long or walk too far my right leg gets muscle fatigue and shuts
down until I sit for about 10 minutes. I am able to do most things. I know
my limit before my leg stops working and can manage it by taking a break
before it shuts down. I have been able to substitute teach in my son's
elementary school and am in the process of starting a business (an
interactive educational center similar to a children's museum).

So I guess I'm doing allright!