I had an MRI yesterday, after having numbness in my left arm, slurred speech and trouble walking. My MRI showed lesions on my brain and spine. Typical MS MRI scan. I was diagnosed by a MS specialist neurologist and we have a plan. I’m 26, I didn’t see this coming and I have A lumbar puncture on the 31st.
I’m scared I guess, I don’t know what to think.
Hi @tasstirling
It’s a lot to process, and a shock I am guessing. It usually takes people a number of months to process, though we are of course all individuals.
This forum has some lovely people on, who you can share your experiences with, and learn from. The MS Society website and helpline are also very helpful.
Go gently, you don’t need to rush.
I wish you well,
Alison
@tasstirling, sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Definitely take a second to process - you’re allowed to feel a bit taken aback and scared. Very natural considering the circumstances.
I was diagnosed this year and have also been through a rollercoaster, but am also very glad that I’ve been diagnosed at a time where there are so many really effective treatments with no/low side effects for RRMS especially. Definitely take one day at a time and no rush to immediately feel 10/10 - it’s okay to feel a bit shocked and unsure. I’ve certainly felt much better in the months following diagnosis after some time to process, and hope this is the same for you, too.
I hope your lumbar puncture goes well soon and you get it out of the way. Hope the bank holiday gives you lots of time to recover, too! Remember to lie down as much as possible after - I was keen to get on my feet because I felt fine, but got a small headache because of this, so go gently.
Sorry about the diagnosis. It is such a lot to take in and it’s natural to wonder what that means for your future. The answer is: perhaps not as much as you fear at first.
That’s particularly true because you are relatively young. Treatment has advanced so much and there is more research all the time. The prospects for you are brighter than for previous MS generations. When I was diagnosed, I found reading up on research encouraging and useful.
On a more practical approach, I’d agree with the poster above: lie down when you get back from your lumbar puncture, no matter how fine you feel. The procedure itself is easy but you can get a nasty headache for a few days if you ignore that advice (like I did!).