I find my strength by having a positive attitude. I push myself to go to work, even when I don't think I can get out of bed. I enjoy gardening, spending time with family and being home.

 

In the summer of 2004, I took myself to the hospital.  I thought I might be having a heart attack.  My temp was 103F, when they checked me in.  After an EKG they told me I was not having a heart attack and that they didn't know what was wrong.  Diagnosis was unknown. I was advised that it could be a virus, or acid reflux.  They prescribed a course of Prilosec.  

August 2007 (before MS dx was confirmed) we had a heat wave & I had been under a lot of stress at work, as I was filling in for the owner who was on vacation.  I woke up one morning feel wonderful.  By late morning I was seeing double & then developed tunnel vision, dizziness,  & numbness in all limbs, difficulty speaking and swallowing. This scared the crap out of me, but do you think I told anyone at work what was happening?  NO! (Silly me).   My PCP ruled out a stroke when the Carotid Artery test appeared normal.  The brain MRI that showed six enhanced lesions in my brain.  I was referred to a MS Specialist Neurologist, who ordered additonal MRI's of the spine & neck which were clear, no lesions. I began Rebif, an Interferon Beta 1a therapy to help slow progression.   After my 1st year on Rebif, the followup MRI showed no signifacant change & one possible new leson. 

2009 - Brain MRI was determined to be "Stable".  Continued Rebif therapy for another year.  The possible new lesion from 2008 was questioned by the radiologist and I was ordered to have an MRA to see if it was a blood vessel issue (see more below).

Autumn 2010 - Advised my neurologist through email that I was feeling good & didn't want to do an MRI.  She prescribe another year of Rebif therapy & told me that I would need to have my blood work done about every 4 months or so.

My PLM Quilt Square  - The first 100, 3-Star MS community members contributed a quilt square.  Tim Horgan's wife dedicated her time & quilting knowledge and sewed all of our squares together to create our MS Community PLM quilt that is on display in the Massachusetts' office.  The pink ribbon on my square is to symbolize breast cancer (I'm an 10+ year survivor).  The 3 gold stars represent my membership status with PLM. 

2008 On the beach with my Lady

MS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 — July 2008

GETTING TO KNOW YOU  At PatientsLikeMe, we believe in getting to know the person, not just the "patient." That's why we interview one patient each month to find out more about how he or she approaches life. This month we are pleased to featureDiamondlil58, a three-star member from Lynnwood, Washington.

1. How do you find perspective?

I am currently diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. I try to stay tuned in with my body and mental status and will often ask myself, what am I feeling? Am I depressed, or am I just tired? I try to keep myself healthy by taking the medications prescribed by my doctors and getting enough rest. MS causes fatigue that is difficult to describe to someone that does not have it. I feel that I may be perceived as being lazy because I do not have the appearance of being sick on the outside.

2. What challenges do you face this summer?

The biggest challenge I face this summer is the heat. I am heat intolerant, and it can make me feel ill quickly. It is difficult to know when I'm actually having an exacerbation, or if it is a pseudo-flare.

3. What's your advice for someone new to PatientsLikeMe?

This is a great site to keep track of your symptoms and medications, or just hang out in the forum. There are so many nice people here, and we're all here to help each other. I'm glad you joined this site.

4. What's the most important thing you've learned in the PatientsLikeMe forum?

Although no two patients are exactly alike with their symptoms and/or treatments, we all have similarities. Many of us lack understanding from our family and friends. PatientsLikeMe has provided us with a great means by which we can share our information. This allows us to build friendships with unique bonds. We all have something to contribute to this site, whether it be a suggestion, advice, a joke, or a thoughtful wish. I am thankful I found PatientsLikeMe.

Notes about my medical history 
vertigo in high school - brought on by movement and noise
developed allergies at age 18
suffered from headaches when I was 27-29
car accident when I was 31, fractured my back in three vertibrae, then developed numbing in left hand, middle, ring and pinky fingers, diagnosed as thorasic outlet syndrome
refractured back in a boating accident & diagnoised with Optic Neuritis at 39
facial contractions at age 41
2002 breast cancer
2004 ER for heart attack symptoms (was not heart attack)
2007 uterine polyps & anemia (side effect of the Tomaxifen for breast cancer)
8/21/2007 received confirmed diagnoised of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
7/2010 Returned to ER for heart attack symptoms (was not heart attack)

09/2008 - MRI Follow-up Report
Several small white matter lesions as described. These are consistent
with multiple sclerosis. Lesions are quite small, all measure under 5
mm in transverse diameter except for a left temporal subcortical
lesion which measures approximately 8 mm. The possibility of a new 3
mm lesion within the right cerebellar hemisphere is raised. Otherwise,
allowing for differences in technique and slice registration, there
has been no significant interval change.

Linear area of signal abnormality seen overlying the right parietal
lobe as described. This appears to represent enhancement in a slightly
prominent cortical vein. See above discussion. No underlying signal
abnormality. This was questionably present on the prior study but is
difficult to evaluate fully due to significant differences in
technique. See above discussion. This could conceivably represent a
small thrombosed cortical vein. No evidence of venous infarction or
other significant abnormality in this region. Consider a followup
study to assure the stability of this finding.
Dictated by: VIECPT1 PEDRO T VIECO

9/2009 MRA   CIRCLE OF WILLIS MRA HEAD WITH CONTRAST: Indication: Expressive aphasia. MS. Procedure: 3T MRI. Routine 3-D time-of-flight head MRA of the circle of Willis with multiprojectional 3-D MIP reconstructions. Findings: Unremarkable circle of Willis MRA without evidence for focal arterial stenosis, branch occlusion, filling defect, high-flow AVM or saccular aneurysm. IMPRESSION: Negative. Dictated by: VANHML1 MILTON L VAN HISE Dictated: 09/19/2009

 

Email note with my MS Specialist Neurologist:  

(Neuro)The MRA was negative for any blood vessel abnormalities. The MRI of the brain was stable! Yay!   (Me)Thank you for your quick response.  Then my next question would be, what was the outcome of the MRI as far as new lesions or changes from the previous year?  Do I want to continue on the Rebif?  Also, if there is no change in my brain MRI why are my symptoms worsening?  (Neuro)The MRI was compared with the scan done last year. You can have sx worsening without changes on MRI as the technology is limited in its ability to pick up disease. We have a choice of either continuing you on rebif vs starting you on tysabri and my suggestion would be to sit tight.

2010-2011 MRI stable, continue on Rebif

3/10/2012  Went to ER to have heart attack symptoms checked out.  Had blood work done & cat scan. It was not a heart attack. My blood pressure was a high and there was some question of a blood clot that was ruled out after the cat scan.  Dx unknown, probably MS symptoms.