[Craig T]

Originally Posted by matt711

After months of strange symptoms that my doctors could not explain I had an MRI of my brain. It came back with evidence that suggests MS. Some lesions and evidence of myelin delamination... That is about all I can remember the doctor saying as I was in a mild state of shock as soon as he said "MS".

I will go to a neurologist next week for further tests. So do any of you guys/girls know anyone that is living with MS? Besides Jack Ozborne....

First, I'm very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but stay positive. Being diagnoses with MS is not as bad as it was 20 years ago. Betaseron and other interferons have worked pretty pretty well at reducing chronic symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Even the newer common steroids are pretty could at controlling the acute symptoms.

I have a very good friend who was diagnosed at 35 with MS, that was back in 1988 (26 years ago). He uses a cane now because his legs can get a little unstable, but otherwise he's doing pretty well.

Again, stay positive. If you smoke, quit. If you drink too much coffee, slow down. Make some healthy lifestyle changes and stick to the therapeutic regimen your doctor gives you.

Most importantly, remember that the people who participate and post on internet disease support forums are always worst case scenerio...or worse, Chicken Littles. Reading those will only depress you. I know. I'm dealing with a syringomyelia. After reading the support forums I was reading to kill myself. My outcome has been very good and 15 years later I hardly have any symptoms. Try to stay off them.