Experience with MS

[Ch40s]

Originally Posted by cyclone3483

And my sister also told me that environment can be a factor. She indicated that there were some areas of the world with higher incidence of MS than others. Unfortunately, all of North America is at the same higher level.

There are no cures as yet, but there are several different treatments, including vitamins and diet, to bee stings! My sister hasn't had good results, but others do.

Living higher than 37 degrees latitude (Calgary is at 50 degrees) increases MS risk by over 100%.

Taking a vitamin D supplement (400 IU) decreases MS risk by 40% (in these northern latitudes).

This is due to us getting adequate UVB rays (for adequate vitamin D synthesis) only about ~6 months of the year.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Hesla

In Short.... yes you should have your eyes checked every 2 years, even if you feel your vision is fine. Certain eye conditions, and vascular conditions (High blood pressure and diabetes) can be asymptomatic, but have signs of their presence.

In regards to MS... Optic Neuritis is not something that is easily observable during an eye examination (as it occurs behind the globe on the nerve running to the brain)... MS is a possible explanation for the symptoms listed above. If someone were to come into my office with the symptoms above, i would be sending them off the specialist within a day or two for further testing.

So you're saying that my doctor might have been slightly negligent when he didn't send me for further testing after an incident of double-vision (lasting for several days) followed by several instances of chronic eye pain, as well as some other symptoms and a family history of MS?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by rubecube

So you're saying that my doctor might have been slightly negligent when he didn't send me for further testing after an incident of double-vision (lasting for several days) followed by several instances of chronic eye pain, as well as some other symptoms and a family history of MS?

Not sure on what testing was done here.... PM me if you would like to discuss it futher...

[Ice]

I think she needs to go to the doctor as soon as possible. My sister-in-laws sister was diagnosed at 24, after years of symptoms. I'm not sure if she would be better off now had she been treated earlier, but we'll never know. She has a very aggressive form of the primary progressive type of MS (no remissions, she's only gotten worse). That form is more rare, and among people with PP MS she is in the 1% who has a form this aggressive. She was bedridden within 6 months of her diagnosis.

I have a friend who was having problems and ended up having an episode which convinced her to go to the emergency room. At first they suspected she had a stroke, but upon further testing they were able to see lesions which confirmed an MS diagnosis. The form she has does afford her times where it is in remission. She's been taking various drugs to help and has kept active via martial arts and its made a real difference for her. She has a cane that she carries for her flare ups, in case she needs it, but she's doing really well. She's in her late 40's now, and was diagnosed about 4 years ago. Looking back, she recognizes symptoms that she attributed to stress that were probably early warning signs.

I think its critical with any disease that you get your diagnosis as early as possible so you are able to take advantage of all the medical intervention that could either improve or at least prevent, to some extent, a decline in your quality of life.