Re: MS &TM

Elyse Steinmann (esteinma(AT)mail.coin.missouri.edu)
Thu, 8 May 1997 21:39:35 -0500 (CDT)

Hi Nicole:
At 09:32 AM 5/8/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Elyse,
>snip<
>But, did decide to call this time because my eyesight is rather important
>to me.
>snip<
>Nicole
------ I am glad your appointment is tomorrow. I don"t want you tp gp
though what I did before I was able to see again. The doc I saw was a neuro
ophthamologist(came highly recommended).It was nine months before I had my
PCP refer me to the low vision screening that I finally recieved help. I
still get pretty severe eye pain now & then,but I am now able to read again
& work. Don't give up if you are not satified. You may want to get a second
opinion. To me there does not seem to be a lot of difference between TM &
MS. I had symptoms 15 yrs. ago,MS was suspected,but never diagnosed. In June
96, I developed a blind spot & eye pain in my left eye.I went to the eye
doc, a field vision test was performed(showed diffused vision in both eyes,
particularly the left). It was diagnosed as bilateral optic neuritis. No
treatment was started. I was given percentage of people that develop MS
after developing ON. I was referred to a neurologist that neither my husband
nor I liked. In September It was worse--Ms had not been diagnosed-they went
ahead &gave me IV Solu-Medrol for 5 days. It took about 4-6 wks to see a
difference. In Oct.' 96 an MRI was performed-showed plaques in the brain,
C-6, & thoracic spine. Since then I have had severe exacerbations every
couple of months requiring hospitaliztions (4 since Nov 96) & IV
Solu-Medrol. I have bounced back every time except this last bout which
began in March. I am much better now, but was off work for 2
months,returning for 2-3 hrs each day. The fatigue is awful.I was taking
Avonex injections once a week for several months,developed anemia so they
stopped it. I go see my neurologist next Friday to see what the next mode of
treatment will be. I also experience constipation. I use a small amt. of
Citrocel every night. I must be careful not to take the whole packet,
otherwise I develop fecal incontinence. I also have bladder problems-urine
retention-I catherize myself 3 times a day or as needed.
The whole point of this is not to give up.If you are not satified keep
looking for a doc you are satified with. If you don't already try keeping a
journal with symptoms-things that help or don't.This has helped me when I
see my doc. Please keep in touch-hope things go well for you. I'll be
thinking of you. Elyse