Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Announcements

Welcome to the Multiple Sclerosis Community!

To learn more about symptoms, diagnosing, and treatment:

Multiple Sclerosis Health Center
Multiple Sclerosis Videos
FAQ about MS

Includes Expert Content
OPTIC NEURITIS....MS??
avatar
sapphiremariah posted:
I was diagnosed w/optic neuritis sept 12th 2010...i was so scared cause i was losing vision in my left eye and it started sept 10th
i have seen an optomologist and nuerologist
had an MRI done tue morning this week
my results were today (thur)
they found a lesion 1cm long and possibly 2 others near by but very small
because of this...they said thats why my nervous system was attacked and it attacked my eye just like that
ive never had any health issues in my life! im so scared and worried that i may get MS...
they said i have an 80% chance now! so they want me to start injections asap and its called "extavia"
does anyone know what im going through or what i should do? im 33 and feel that my life is going to completely change
i dont wanna be depressed and/or suffer but MS is a big deal and btw my vision is much better since the 10th..its 98% clear again...
im still concerned though :(
Reply
FirstPrevious12NextLast
 
avatar
Cyncla responded:
First - sorry this is happening to you.
Second - take a deep breath. What other tests are being done? It talkes more than an MRI to know that you have MS.
Symptoms of MS are varied for those of us that have it. Mine was caught right away and I also am on an injectable medication. Yes, it does change your life but don't jump to having MS right off the bat. Get other tests done and take it one step at a time.
I got myself really involved and asked questions at EVERY step. I wanted to know why a test was being asked for and what it involved before doing any of it and I asked them to explain if I didn't understand. Information can be a huge help against fear.
Keep us posted and good luck with this.
 
avatar
Neil S Lava, MD responded:
It can be very frightening to get a diagnosis of MS. But you can make it less frightening by getting knowledge about the disease. You can chat with people on line here. You can get information from the national MS society, etc.
You might want to get a second opinion about the diagnosis just to be more comfortable with what is happening.
If you are still feeling overwhelmed it may even be help to get some counseling to help deal with this change in your life.
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to Cyncla's response:
Hi Cyncla...thank u so much for ur reply and support. I honestly feel so overwelmed and im trying my best to b super positive and take on a healthy lifestyle and do what it takes to make my immune system stronger as it mite help me in the long run......
i am not sure if i should start taking this new drug "extavia" which ill start next week if i am approved or not...
if so, then i have to inject it every 2-3 days....
what drug are u taking? would u mind explaining ur situation or why u opted to take on meds??
should i get another opinion from another nuerologist before starting this drug thing??
i hate being in this predicament...and i know im in the primary stage cause i have symtoms of MS...
i know i dont have it but still....deep down inside im lost and depressed and worried but smile and try my best to not let anyone see...
i cry and im scared...i hate being this person ive become :(
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to Neil S Lava, MD's response:
Hi ....thank u for responding....
can u tell me what u think i should do rite now?? im waiting on this "extavia" drug and may start it next week... do u know anything about it?
im scared and worried and i dont have MS yet but im trying to figure out if i need to take drugs at all...
should i get a second opinion from another nuerologist? i think i should actually.....
My nuerologist said i have 80% chance of developing MS cause i have optic neuritis and my MRI abnormality shows the leision so thats why i feel more scared about it.. i try to be positive on the outside but inside im really sad ...:( any info would be appreciated thank u
 
avatar
Rory26312 responded:
Hi Mariah

Welcome to our little group , sorry you feel the need to be here.

Was the phrase Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) mentioned in your disscussion . It is a diagnosis used when a patient presents with one flair and one set of symtoms.

A lot of neuros take a wait and see approach at this stage , basically waiting for another set of MRI's that show more liasions and/or another flair.

I disagree with this , as one of the few facts we know about this disease is that early diagnosis and treatment is a definate help in the long term prognosis.

While I do not want to downplay MS a diagnosis is not the end of the world as you know it but rather a major change in it. Many of us, but sadly not all, on here go about our daily lives the same as always.

For now a second opinion is always a good idea , try to set that in motion. As to when to start therapy , I would say it is a matter of timing ,if you can schedule an appointment inside a month hold off but if it goes three months plus start.

The fact that your vision has improved is a good sign but remember it is called remitting relapsing MS so symptoms can improve on there own only to come back later.

hope all this helps some

Rory
 
avatar
joyceannw replied to Cyncla's response:
Hi Cyncia, Your story sounds so much like mine that it is scary! I had optic neuritis in my left eye in 1991 (age 37). All tests for MS were negative at the time but I was told I had a good chance of developing the disease. I was terrified at first. (no drugs back then to my knowledge). My vision returned after a month. And from 1991 to 2010 I was ok!! Just this year I developed other symptoms and now the diagnosis is positive. I would say wait a while and get another opinion. These MS drugs have a lot of side effects. Rory gave excellent advice also.
Hang in there. It is not the end of the world!
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to joyceannw's response:
Hi Joy....Im Sarina/the one who posted the question....thank u for ur story :)
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to Rory26312's response:
Hi Rory! thank u for writing! :) it really has helped me a lot :)
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to sapphiremariah's response:
Hi Everyone! Just wanted to thank all of u for responding to me :) i appreciate ur time and opinions :) it helps me more than u realize.

So latest news....I was diagnosed w/MS from a doctor that i went to see at Kaiser
She basicly said im in the primary stages and i need to take the medication "extavia" so i will be as of next week!
I also have to undergo more tests such as more blood work and an MRI in Dec for the second time and a VEP

Im upset/depressed at times
I try my best to be cool and calm and not cry too much about it but i feel down and cant help it sometimes

I have changed my diet completely
Eat veggies everyday and fruits every day as of the past couple of wks....

I have to admit that i wasnt ever healthy and i wonder at times if i had a more balanced diet that could i have prevented this?
I mean my immune system is down and why?
I never get sick or feel like im out of energy...

But if i was healthy for the most part and exercised then wouldnt my immune system be stronger ? and help itself to maintain its health?

Ive read so much research and MS is still something that doctors cant understand....:( i hope im rite in some way

If i change my ways then can i retain my mobility for even longer down the road? does that make sense to anyone?? :) thx
 
avatar
MrsCRG replied to sapphiremariah's response:
Hi,

I am new to this. I just signed up last week and have been following this post. Your initial reaction really touched me. I guess because I was having the same emotions as you WERE. I am 27 and was diagnosed 5 yrs ago, so I was devastated I thought my life was over. I'm still dealing with the initial shock but I can say these past years haven't been so bad. I have my days, but MS is different in each person.

From your recent post, I understand that eating healthy, drinking water, taking vitamins and exercise is a good start for managing MS.

I have an appt in a few weeks to see an eye doc. I have experienced every symptom that is associated with MS and I would say I'm still doing pretty good. Having a good Doc who can explain everything to you until you have a good understanding is a good thing. My first and last doc did not educate me about my health and what was going on. But now I'm seeing a new Neuro who has been working with MS for over 30 yrs. I now have a better understanding of how to manage it. Make sure you are knowledgeable about it-it helps alot.

Wishing you the best!
Candice
 
avatar
sapphiremariah replied to MrsCRG's response:
Hi Candice...thx so much for ur reply :) every little piece of info helps me and makes me feel better and hopeful.

I understand about doctors...
i went to a nuerologist and after my MRI they said i didnt have MS yet but to start taking the injectable med "extavia" but didnt really explain too much
They even suggested i go on a trial for copaxone that is being conducted!! i was like in my head..hell no!

The doctor didnt even see me for my results! his assistant did and i didnt like that as she seemed uncertain and said there is nothing i could do to help myself.....

Thats when i was like...i gotta get a second opinion!
Went to kaiser and this doctor is great! shes caring and sensitive to my feelings...

But regardless of all this....i feel sad
i hope im making the rite decision to take this medication
I mean i have to for the rest of my life!
Do u believe that there is anything else a person such as myself can do any better to help my immune system?

Do u believe that if MS patients were to suddenly create a well-balanced healthy plan (food/exercise) that they could prevent it from becoming worse down the road?
Im so scared about being perhaps paralyzed or not being able to be mobile some day or be in a wheelchair...
I try to be positive and hopeful all the time but inside im feeling so worried/nervous/scared....

I mean...everyday i get slight headaches/pressure....i dont take anything cause it goes away and im use to it now...

How r u doing? did u do anything different when u found out? thxxxxx Candice :)
 
avatar
Rory26312 replied to sapphiremariah's response:
Hi Candice

Around this time eight years ago I started down this path much to my surprise.

There was one piece of advice I was given and like most good advice it is easier said than followed. It goes like this.

"There's no need to borrow trouble "

I have always found that it comes with a high interest rate and with care and some good luck (yes it still exists somewhere) it may never find you.

For now you need to settle into a treatment regime that will include meds diet exercise and possibly alternative care such as massage yoga stress relieve and many other things.

Try to think positive thoughts as attitude is a lot of this battle and keep an eye or even two on yourself ,remember you know you best and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself if you feel the need.

Last thing I personally do not like that you are only talking about one therapy there are at least four others and the oral meds have just been approved so that statement about there been a drug for the rest of your life does not really apply , if one doesn't
do it you can always change.

Sorry so long

Rory
 
avatar
mom6nana8 responded:
that and tremers were one of my first systems and my lids would not close. my eyes had to be closed for over a week. I also had a couple of odd they said oct's.
 
avatar
MrsCRG replied to sapphiremariah's response:
Mariah,

Well when I found out I was hospitalized for about four days for intravenous steroid treatment. I didn't start medication right away because after I left the hospital I felt normal. I started Betaseron seven months later because I started having flare-ups. Since I have been taking the med I have been fine. I'm still mobile but not as strong as I use to be but I'm lazy..lol I do believe that creating a healthy diet, excercising, and enough rest will be helpful down the road. I know if I eat healthy, lose a few lbs, get enough rest and exercise I'm sure I would be better.

I've noticed with myself and it was confirmed by my new neuro that stress can cause an episode. I recently had surgery for another issue and because the surgery lasted a few hours more than what was expected MS has flared up. Walking is a bit difficult now but improving with time.

So lets see I have had UTIs, fatigue, insomnia, blurred and double vision, the MS hug which is ongoing, hands and feet numbness which is also ongoing and leg weakness. All of these but not at once. Because I have had more flare ups recently I think my neuro is going to change my med.

Surprisingly I am doing better than what I expected. I have learned that having MS is not a death threat. You are still able to do some things you always have been. I know it can be scary but in this case live for today. you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Once you accept the fact that it is a possibility that you MAY have it; you can start taking precautions to slow it down. It may attack you but then again it maynot. Don't stress over it so much you may be stressing yourself out for nothing. Just keep living your life don't worry you will be fine.

Candice


Featuring Experts

Neil S. Lava, MD, is the director of the multiple sclerosis clinic at Emory University in Atlanta. He has been treating multiple sclerosis patients si...More

Helpful Tips

the walking drug, ampyra
was diagnosedwith MS in 2000. my walking has been getting harder to do but i was still able to work. i recently had an exacerbation of my ... More
Was this Helpful?
49 of 60 found this helpful

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.