I'd like some advice on MS (Multiple Sclerosis).?
78632
I am female and now 49, and was diagnosed w/MS when I was about 24.  At the time I was diagnosed, there was no 'proof positive' test for MS.  I believe the best test now is the MRI.  \nDepending on your relationship with your PCP, I would try to explain about your concerns and possible sysptoms and that you would like to talk to a Neurologist; who would be the doctor to be treating you if you did in fact have MS.  \nThough, remember there are literally thousands of diseases connected to the nerves, and a lot of the symptoms are the same as MS.   \nAs for your concern about being diagnosed '...until it's nearly too late to do any good about it...'  there are no preventative drugs for MS.\nThere are 4 types of severity of MS, and each person can differ from one to another. Also even if family memebers have MS, it doesn't mean they will all have the save 'type' of MS.\nThe newer medications now on the market have been proven to 'keep' the disease in remission for longer and longer periods of time.  (It's been over 5 years for me now, and I contribute it to the new medication - so there is almost always 'something' the doctors are able to do to help with the symptoms.\nThe only real advice I will offer is not to get 'stressed' out by thinking about it. Talk to a Neurologist and get some information from the Hospital Library.  \nI really haven't heard of anyone actually 'dying' from MS, more from commplications of the disease.\nWhen I was diagnosed, I was told the 1st requirement for MS is: a sense of humor! And trust me that piece of advice has helped me through the years...
391776
Symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from person to person and from time to time in the same person. For example, one person may experience abnormal fatigue, while another might have severe vision problems. A person with MS could have loss of balance and muscle coordination making walking difficult; another person with MS could have slurred speech, tremors, stiffness, and bladder problems. While some symptoms will come and go over the course of the disease, others may be more lasting.\n\nAs a result of the inflammatory, demyelinating process in the central nervous system, people with MS can experience a wide variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include:\n\nFatigue (also called MS lassitude to differentiate it from tiredness resulting from other causes)\n\nProblems with walking\n\nBowel and or bladder disturbances\n\nVisual problems\n\nChanges in cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving\n\nAbnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and needles"\n\nChanges in sexual function\n\nPain\n\nDepression and/or mood swings\n\nLess common symptoms include:\n\nTremor\n\nIncoordination\n\nSpeech and swallowing problems\n\nImpaired hearing\n\nAll of these are considered primary symptoms of MS because they are a direct result of demyelination, the destruction of myelin—the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers in the central nervous system—and of damage to the nerve fibers themselves. Demyelination and neuronal damage impair transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and other organs, resulting in impaired function. Many of these symptoms can be managed effectively with medication, rehabilitation, and other management strategies. \n\nIn addition to the primary symptoms caused by demyelination, there are other types of problems or complications that can occur as indirect results of the primary symptoms or the experience of having a chronic illness:\n\nSecondary symptoms of MS are complications that can arise as a result of the primary symptoms. For example, bladder dysfunction can cause repeated urinary tract infections. Inactivity can result in loss of muscle tone and disuse weakness (not related to demyelination), poor postural alignment and trunk control, decreased bone density (and resulting increased risk of fracture), and shallow, inefficient breathing. Immobility can lead to pressure sores. While secondary symptoms can be treated, the optimal goal is to avoid them by treating the primary symptoms.\n\n\nTertiary symptoms of MS are the social, vocational and emotional complications associated with the primary and secondary symptoms. The diagnosis of a chronic illness can be damaging to self-esteem and self-image. A person who becomes unable to walk or drive may lose his or her livelihood. The strain of dealing with a chronic neurologic illness may disrupt personal relationships. People with MS frequently experience emotional changes as well, but it is important to note that mood swings and depression can occur as primary, secondary, or tertiary symptoms of the disease. Professional assistance from psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and public health agencies is indicated for managing many of these psychosocial and vocational issues.\n\nIt is important to remember that not every person with MS experiences all of these symptoms. Some people may experience only one or two of them over the course of the disease, while others experience quite a few. Symptoms can come and go quite unpredictably, and no two people experience them in exactly the same way. Most of the symptoms of MS can be effectively managed, and complications avoided, with regular care by a neurologist and allied health professionals.\nMS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatt
231990
Lupus, Crohn's Disease, and some other diseases mimic eachother.  MS isn't the worst thing that could happen to you.  I speak from experience, because I have MS.
856761
I have multiple sclerosis. People with multiple sclerosis have near normal life expectancies. The disease is very rarely fatal. Nobody has ever withered away from this disease or died at the time of onset.  You can read anything you want about MS by just typing National Multiple Sclerosis Society into your web browser. This site is the most informative site that I have ever found. Multiple Sclerosis can be a very difficult disease to diagnose. It took ten years for me to be diagnosed. The symptoms are similar to many other diseases and the symptoms can vary immensely from individual to individual. Hence it is not easily identifiable.
1139998
Of all the studying I've done on toxoplasmosis, the closest I've found to what your looking for stops short at prevention.\n\nKeep updated with her neurologist on possible treatment options as research opens up possibilities. Good luck.
335236
I also had CFS and poor concentration. I decided to take drastic measures and cut out all sugar and white flour from my diet. The first two weeks, felt worse, but then I started to lose tons of weight, had tons of energy. Then I started walking. A little at first (you will be sore) and then more. I lost 70 pounds in 6 months and started running (ME!) I never felt better in my life, and have never had any more symptoms, except when I am not careful in my diet. You have to stick to whatever you decide to do- tell yourself it's like a marriage- sometimes you don't want to, but you do what's right, anyway.  Email me Trijoy726@yahoo.com. I will be happy to help if you need encouragement or support!
215909
You should contact the MS group that can help you.\nhttp://www.nmss.org/\nhttp://www.mssociety.org.uk/\nhttp://www.ms.foundation.org/\nhttp://www.msfacts.org/
249042
What Are Some Other Alternative/Complementary Therapy Options for MS?\n\nMassage. Many people with MS receive regular massage therapy to help relax and reduce stress and depression, which can exacerbate the disease. There is no evidence that massage changes the course of the disease. It is usually safe for people with MS to receive a massage, but if you have bone-thinning osteoporosis (usually as a result of your treatments) massage may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor first.   http://www.medicinenet.com/alternative_therapy_for_multiple_sclerosis/article.htm\n\nIt sounds like, with your doctor's blessing, it is something worth looking into.  If it is not beneficial, you can easily stop this type of therapy.  Good luck...
187080
The symptoms you are describing sound like more than MS.  Along with his neurologic care, he may need some psychiatric care or some counseling.  Paranoia and auditory hallucinations are signs of mental illness.  Further neurological evaluation is also warranted.  \n\nIt also sounds like support groups and some counseling for your family will help you all with the coping and help you make your brother feel more comfortable.\n\nIn any chronic disease or hardship, it is easy to feel that you are alone, without help and that no one can understand your plight.  Counseling, talking it out can help all involved.  Best wishes.
726298
ms causes lesions on the back side of the brain. but her symptoms sound strange to me. I hope you are able to get medical help for whatever is going on, and sorry that you have to go through this with her. i know it's tough not knowing what's wrong.
28322
I am a dental assistant and my sister has MS.  This sounds like a MS problem not dental.
786843
I'm going to take a shot at this one and suggest Social Security Insurance (S.S.I.) a friend just came up with MS she's only 27 and works for a major airline. They wouldn't cover her so...that left her hanging. I've been on S,S.I. for years now. I suggested it.\n   She did as I instructed and went through the phone interview, they started her with a doctor and meds right away. I was even surprised at how fast they went to work. I guess every area is different according to the population.\n\n   Long story short, she's on S.S.I. now and at least eating and paying the rent. Of course she had to change her lifestyle but...?
101309
The short answer to your question is, yes, a person with MS can be in a loving, productive relationship.\n\nIn fact, a HEALTHY relationship can be benificial to a person with MS.\n\nMS basically prevents the brain from speaking to the rest of the body, you end up with a lack of movement, decreased mobility, shakes, and the like.\n\nFor lack of a better term, MS Sucks, and anyone who has seen it first hand would support stem cell research which will eventually lead to a cure for it.\n\nBesides the 'illness' of MS, the worst thing about it is likely depression, suicide is common... and depression, grief, anger and any other number of emotions can occur.\n\nA Loving relationship will always help, and be welcome in any persons life, not just someone with MS.\n\nOne side note, stress can make MS worse... as can excitement.\n\nIt is best for a person with MS to do their best to life a stress free, comfortable life.\n\nI hope this helps.
17305
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). \nMultiple sclerosis (MS) usually affects woman more than men. The disorder most commonly begins between ages 20 and 40, but can strike at any age.\n\nThe exact cause is not known, but MS is believed to result from damage to the myelin sheath, the protective material which surrounds nerve cells. It is a progressive disease, meaning the damage gets worse over time. Inflammation destroys the myelin, leaving multiple areas of scar tissue (sclerosis). The inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system.\n\nThe inflammation causes nerve impulses to slow down or become blocked, leading to the symptoms of MS. Repeated episodes, or flare ups, of inflammation can occur along any area of the brain and spinal cord.\n\nSymptoms vary because the location and extent of each attack varies. Usually episodes that last days, weeks, or months alternate with times of reduced or no symptoms (remission).\n\nRecurrence (relapse) is common although non-stop progression without periods of remission may also occur.\n\nResearchers are not sure what triggers an attack. Patients with MS typically have a higher number of immune cells than a healthy person, which suggests that an immune response might play a role. The most common theories point to a virus or genetic defect, or a combination of both. There also appears to be a genetic link to the disease. MS is more likely to occur in northern Europe, the northern United States, southern Australia, and New Zealand than in other areas. Geographic studies indicate there may be an environmental factor involved.\n\nPeople with a family history of MS and those who live in a geographical area with a higher incidence rate for MS have a higher risk of the disease.\n\nCheck out this article with excellent illustrations:\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000737.htm
293798
I think that anyone that had a particular disease, illness, or disorder benefits best by joining communities whose members are having the same experience. \n\nThey can talk with you about the best ways to cope, point you to things that have worked for them, for instance, should I walk or swim for exercise? They can help you find resources for any equipment, etc. that you may need.\n\nAnd bless them, they can help you find some small humor in it all to get you through the day.\n\nI've included a few links below that I hope can be of some help to you. Some of them have message boards on the site, some point you to other sites with MS Support boards.\n\nMay you have many good days as well as humor, friendship and companions during this journey.
981557
Yes, it can.  :(\n\nMost people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye.  Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance.  These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis.  Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" sensations.  Some may also experience pain.  Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked.  Depression is another common feature of MS.
1018129
You sound as if you are lacking calcium, or need to be tested for either MS(multiple Sclerosis)or Lupus-it sounds like you might be in a stage that's progressing. Don't be frightened by what you see on the internet-you could simply have nerve damage like I do from an accident-although I haven't had any broken bones other than my ankles in at least 5 years, I never tested positive for either of the above mentioned.