hello everyone, i have just come off the phone from my neurologist. he says i have a very high chance that i have got MS. Oh my God or words to that effect. like some of you i have optic neuritis which gets worse when i run or cycle. my mri is abnormal in the optic area. i have no other symptoms and my neuro assesment is normal. i have had these symptoms 2 or 3 times in 8 years. i am also a bloke. ( a ginger one but still) i have a wife lizzie who is more upset then i am and two kids. i am bearing up but i am worried for my family.
Hello and welcome Phil (and Lizzie)
Nothing wrong with being ginger - my son is
Having optic neuritis on its own doesn’t mean that you will definitely get MS - it’s about 50/50 - so unless you’ve had other attacks / symptoms, there is still a good chance that this is as far as things will go.
Even if it does turn out to be MS, it really isn’t the end of the world. Yes, life with MS can be very difficult at times, and it’s certainly not what anyone would wish for, but the vast majority of us still have long, happy and fulfilled lives. Life really can still be good.
Karen x (diagnosed 14 years ago)
oh bless you Karen. yeah so far just optic neuritis twice and an abnormal scan over my op nerve! i am still running, cycling etc. i am seeing my neuro again so i will keep you posted. but what he did say is my neuro exam is normal and i have had optic neuritis for about 8 years. you take care, phil xxx
A normal exam and nothing else in 8 years is really positive - the odds are definitely in your favour
Do make sure you have a really good pension plan though, just in case!
Kx
i have a good one as i work for the NHS - I am a nurse! so far so good. how are you?x
Hi Phil
I’m new on here but thought I’d let you know I had Optic Neuritis 15 years ago and had 10 years after that of no other symptoms, apart from occasional eye/headaches - which we can all get! Gaining a few more symptoms now but nothing I can’t live with and fingers crossed things will calm down for another 10 years! My only comment would be if running or cycling makes your optic neuritis worse, don’t do it! Mine left me practically blind in one eye within 24 hours - it sharpens your self preservation instinct a bit when you’re potentially one bout of optic neuritis in your remaining good eye away from being blind!