Multiple Sclerosis

[Unregistered]

My mother (age 61) was diagnosed with MS yesterday, based on an attack that she had about 6 weeks ago.

She had a single attack where she experienced flashing lights in one eye and weakness in the arm on the same side. She ended up in the hospital with suspicion of stroke, but after the CAT, MRI, spinal tap and some blinky light test this is the diagnosis that they're going with.

They're putting her on interferon, and she has a meeting with a specialist at the state teaching hospital next week.

There's also some beliefs that the headaches that she's had for YEARS were the result of this problem, and not her thyroid problem or hypertension.

I have a few questions:

1. Given that she's essentially symptom-free at the moment. What is the outlook?

2. Does anybody have data on heredity and MS? What do I (no symptoms thus far in my 30's) have to worry about?

3. Do I need to get tested now? If I do, what would be the impact on my medical?

Thanks.

"Son of MS"

 

[Earthroamer]

Not a doctor but only from a personal view. My grandfather has MS and was diagnosed when he was 23 years old. He is now 76 years old. His ability to stay active is what most of the doctors say is keeping him going. He is really starting to slump over but about 8 years ago I bought him a german shepard. He has walked that dog regiously ever since. That and doing light strengthing exercises. He has not yet hit the wheel chair but is very close now. Back and leg braces, but hey, he is still upright! So, I think it can go either way. I have seen some people in his illness circle that went down hill fast.

All the family wanted to know, so they got tested. No one came up positive and none have seen any symptoms yet, however it is still in the back of their minds. I was very fortunate/unfortunate to not be blood related.

So far, he is the freaking amazing energizer bunny. He has beat cancer twice, has MS, and now has a pace maker, but he keeps staying active. He has told me more than once, if you think you are tired and sick, think again....Look up and smile and keep going.

Brent Bradford

 

[bbchien]

My mother (age 61) was diagnosed with MS yesterday, based on an attack that she had about 6 weeks ago.

She had a single attack where she experienced flashing lights in one eye and weakness in the arm on the same side. She ended up in the hospital with suspicion of stroke, but after the CAT, MRI, spinal tap and some blinky light test this is the diagnosis that they're going with.

They're putting her on interferon, and she has a meeting with a specialist at the state teaching hospital next week.

There's also some beliefs that the headaches that she's had for YEARS were the result of this problem, and not her thyroid problem or hypertension.

I have a few questions:

1. Given that she's essentially symptom-free at the moment. What is the outlook?

Without the MRI, the protein content of the spinal fluid, cell count, can't say. About 2/3rs of patients improve or remain stable.

2. Does anybody have data on heredity and MS? What do I (no symptoms thus far in my 30's) have to worry about?

We don't really know enough about it to say

3. Do I need to get tested now? If I do, what would be the impact on my medical?

Don't go there. It's of no productive value and no preventative value and if you don't it doesn't affect anything- the now, the future, and there is no prevention.

Thanks.

"Son of MS"

 

[HPNFlyGirl]

I know this lady who gets interferon shots every week...From what I was told...the person recieving the shot has to be packed down in ice for a while, because I hear the shots sting like theres no tomorrow.

The lady I know couldnt feel anything below her waist. She would take a hot bath in scalding water and not feel a thing. When she would get out of the bath she would wonder why she had blisters all over her body. Also one time she went for a walk (a good 2 or 3 mile walk) and she had a writting pen in her shoe, and she didn't even feel it.

Best of luck to you, and your mother.

 

[AdamZ]

Not a Dr. Anon, but here is some anecdotal info I can give you:

1. My Mother in Law was diagnosed with MS somethime in her mid 40s. She is currently 63 or 64. She is and has always been ambulatory. She has never been in a wheel chair. She does see a specialist in NJ where she currently lives by herself in her Three story home with her dog. She activly paints, does pottery, is on the local hospital board, Walks the board walk and travels extensivley. Oh she also just started hitting balls at the driving range again.
2. There are times when she gets tired or Numb. This may last for a few days. The symptoms are exacerbated by stress and heat. She trys to keep herself cool in the summer. Generally you wouldn't know she had it if she didn't tell you. The biggest thing that held her back quite frankly was my father in law. He tried to put her in a glass bubble. DO NOT DO THAT. She should keep active but not over do it. She also insisits that accupuncture helps her out a lot. Can't comment on that though.
3. The bright side is that her Dr. told her the the later in life you get MS the higher the chances are that you won't be as greatly affected by it. Your mom seems to have been diagnosed pretty late in life. That would be a good thing according to my MILs Dr. The Dr. also said MS does not seem to be hereditary.

 

[wsuffa]

I have a friend in Cincinnati that was diagnosed going on 6 years ago (in her 40's).

She has regressed, in part due to her behavior. Docs said "no booze", but she drinks a lot. Docs said "no tobacco", she started smoking. Yeah, a lot of it is mental - she's in depression, so is her husband. Neither one has handled it well as both liked to do things that are now difficult or impossible.

The MS patient needs a lot of support. Period. They need encouragement. They need to handle depression, and need to keep up spirits even if it limits the activities they like.

I've seen nothing in the literature to indicate heredity connection to late-onset MS. Not to say it doesn't happen, just that it's less likely. Also, on late-onset MS, it's far more likely to affect women than men. As for the person I know, there is no other history in the family. At all.

Take Bruce's advice about getting tested. My advice as a non-professional, but one that's seen the effects: We don't know enough to tell if you might have it or not, but for men it's less prevalent. If it turns up, there is nothing more that can be done now than later. So enjoy life while you can and treat the issue when if it ever shows up.

 

[Unregistered]

This is "Son of MS" again.

Mom saw the specialist yesterday, and he's decided that it isn't MS - that she has a "vascular event". (aka mini-stroke)

So, she's off interferon and back on Plavix. She's supposed to have something called an "angio-MRI" (or close to that) and something like "espohageal imaging" of the heart. All of that will be after she takes her one month trip to Australia/NZ/Fiji.

Thanks for the help, folks.

 

[jdwatson]

This is "Son of MS" again.

Mom saw the specialist yesterday, and he's decided that it isn't MS - that she has a "vascular event". (aka mini-stroke)

So, she's off interferon and back on Plavix. She's supposed to have something called an "angio-MRI" (or close to that) and something like "espohageal imaging" of the heart. All of that will be after she takes her one month trip to Australia/NZ/Fiji.

Thanks for the help, folks.

Good luck to you Mom.