Hi All
Just waiting for my MRI appointment to see if I have MS , had a blood test which shows low Vit D which I know is related to MS because my mum has MS and is in her final stages of the illness at 75. I’m showing all the symptoms of MS but am trying to be positive,how do you get through the 1st diagnosis if it is?
Stay safe all
Hi,
I would say to definitely stay positive as it can be a long process. Have you done a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) as that helps with the diagnosis. Being aware that there is a possibility makes the diagnosis less of a blow however it’s still such a difficult thing. Having a family member with MS does increase your chance more than the general population although it would be 3-5% chance from what I have read I may be wrong though. Keep a positive mind and I wish you the best of luck.
Hannah
Hi Rich
Not quite sure what you mean by getting through the 1st diagnosis. Do you mean adjusting to the shock / realisation?
Low Vitamin D is something common to most people with MS but it isn’t known whether low D can cause/ trigger MS or whether having MS causes a low D level. Certainly people with MS are recommended to take a supplement and the high dose (~10x RDA?) could be because it is poorly absorbed once administered. I’m on 3000 IU April > Oct and 6000 IU when the clocks go back and level is normal in recent blood tests. If yours is low, start taking a supplement either way.
If a parent has MS then a male offspring has a 1:80 chance and female a 1:40. If a sibling already has MS then it goes to 1:20 and identical twins 1:5. IIRC the baseline national rate is 1:500. Approx 130,000 people in UK with MS and about 7,000 new diagnoses each year according to Public Health England and MS Society.
How long has your Mum had MS. What type? RR, SP, PP? What type has been suggested for you? Are you self-diagnosing or have you had appointments with GP / Neurologist?
Fingers crossed 
Graeme
Hi Graeme
Yeah I was referring to finding out the shock of having MS ,I’ve had some pretty awful trauma before this happened so it’s going to hurt hearing it.
I didn’t think about vit D in the winter months that’s a great shout or I live in Dubai for 6 months maybe ,I wish
I was diagnosed by my GP about 4 weeks ago now just waiting on a MRI which hopefully won’t be long but I’m not holding my breath with NHS
I’ve had numb hands for about 3 months now plus other symptoms but maybe it’s not MS
My Mum is at a very late stage and needs 24 hour care on the MS scale I’d say she’s 9 out of 10 and has progressive MS unfortunately
Thanks for your thoughts stay well.
Thanks Hannah I’m trying to be positive but seeing my mum go through hell from MS is pretty scary stuff
Hey maybe it’s not MS fingers crossed.
Stay well
Hi Rich, did you ever get a diagnosis?