I can't even imagine the state of your mind when you first heard this diagnosis. I think you have every right to get a third opinion and to seek out the best treatment.
MS varies greatly I think. A friend's father has had it for as long as I can remember. He is overweight and has slowed down, but he continues heading trips to NYC and other places. He is near or in his 70s.
Take care of yourself and gather all the info that is available.
I'm sorry to hear but at least you are now aware of what it might be and you can start the necessary treatment even though there is no cure but at least you are able to alleviate some of the problem with the treatment.
Oh wow. *hugs* Can't even imagine what it must have felt like to be hit with that diagnosis. Wanting clarity on your symptoms is one thing, but...
Wishing you lots of strength going forward and getting it under control as much as that's possible. Hope the other doctor turns out to be competent and someone you're more comfortable with - I'm sure that'd already be a relief.
My knowledge about MS is pretty much nonexistent so far, but relapsing-remitting is the "best" one to have, right? Small silver lining? Hopefully there'll be lots of long phases in between attacks where you won't have any problems and then when the attacks hit, I hope you and your support system will find good ways to alleviate the problems.
Yeah, I was shocked. I know next to nothing about it but I knew it wasn't great news.
It's not necessarily that the doctor I'm seeing isn't competent; he's just not a people person. It's not that I want anyone to coddle me but he's very detached from his patients and doesn't seem concerned over anything he tells me even though he himself says it's a big deal. I don't know how to describe him but that's why I want someone else.
Yes, from what I'm reading and trying to understand, that stage/phase is the most common one. I have been having minor episodes since the last major attack but nothing bad enough to, like, incapacitate me or something. I think I can learn to live with this.
I just hate that it does affect me (and it will even more eventually) and I'd rather not live with it at all. :(
Yeah, I'm sure he's competent, but I can imagine someone with as much (overt) empathy as Reid Oliver doesn't exactly instill a lot of positivity and trust in a patient. :/ And considering you're probably gonna be dealing with your doctor regularly, it sounds like a good idea to look for someone who's a better fit for you. :) (Doesn't hurt to get a third opinion that way, either.)
It's good to hear you've been able to live with only minor pain in between attacks. And for the rest of the time, I hope that'll get better too once you've figured out the optimal way of treating the symptoms. It's overwhelming now, and I completely understand that it's a shock and depressing as hell, but I'm gonna be that unhelpful person and say hang in there - once you've got a routine of doctor's appointments/meds/physical therapy, it'll probably be much easier to hopefully let it fade into the background most of the time and concentrate on living your life the way you've always done.
Comments 20
Reply
Reply
( ... )
Reply
Reply
MS varies greatly I think. A friend's father has had it for as long as I can remember. He is overweight and has slowed down, but he continues heading trips to NYC and other places. He is near or in his 70s.
Take care of yourself and gather all the info that is available.
*big hugs*
Reply
Yes, I'm going to see someone else (it's pretty much confirmed, both official and unofficial) to at least help me deal with it all a little better.
Thanks for sharing that. I'm trying to be optimistic and hoping that my life won't change drastically.
Thanks. :)
Reply
Hoping for the best and you have my support
Reply
Thanks so much for your support. I honestly feel a lot better talking/writing about it.
Reply
Wishing you lots of strength going forward and getting it under control as much as that's possible. Hope the other doctor turns out to be competent and someone you're more comfortable with - I'm sure that'd already be a relief.
My knowledge about MS is pretty much nonexistent so far, but relapsing-remitting is the "best" one to have, right? Small silver lining? Hopefully there'll be lots of long phases in between attacks where you won't have any problems and then when the attacks hit, I hope you and your support system will find good ways to alleviate the problems.
Reply
It's not necessarily that the doctor I'm seeing isn't competent; he's just not a people person. It's not that I want anyone to coddle me but he's very detached from his patients and doesn't seem concerned over anything he tells me even though he himself says it's a big deal. I don't know how to describe him but that's why I want someone else.
Yes, from what I'm reading and trying to understand, that stage/phase is the most common one. I have been having minor episodes since the last major attack but nothing bad enough to, like, incapacitate me or something. I think I can learn to live with this.
I just hate that it does affect me (and it will even more eventually) and I'd rather not live with it at all. :(
Reply
It's good to hear you've been able to live with only minor pain in between attacks. And for the rest of the time, I hope that'll get better too once you've figured out the optimal way of treating the symptoms. It's overwhelming now, and I completely understand that it's a shock and depressing as hell, but I'm gonna be that unhelpful person and say hang in there - once you've got a routine of doctor's appointments/meds/physical therapy, it'll probably be much easier to hopefully let it fade into the background most of the time and concentrate on living your life the way you've always done.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment