DIAGNOSIS...

In November of 2000, my symptoms finally progressed to the point where I could no longer ignore them. My hands and arms were numb as were parts of my face and half of my tongue. I was numb from my bra line to the bottoms of my feet which were totally numb. I had fecal incontinence, brain fog, could barely walk, and my fine and gross motor skills were adversely affected. 


So, on November 30, 2000, I finally saw a neurologist in Augusta and was immediately diagnosed. He referred me to a doctor in Atlanta who he said was at the top of his field and I went in for a consultation a week later.


Here is part of the first office note:


"Heather began to suspect MS several years ago when the symptoms were becoming more specific and she did check on the internet, but for reasons that are her own, she did not seek any medical attention at the time.


One moth ago, she had her most dramatic event when she developed a transverse sensory myelitis that was incomplete, that included leg weakness, ataxia, and numbness to a T-9 level. She obtained MRI's that showed a severe T-2 lesion load both in the brain, posterior fossa and the cervical cord. Her lesion load on a scale of 10 is in the range of 5-6, which is what we usually see in patients who have 10 to 15 years of significant disease."


Translation: I was screwed. I thought there were no treatments so I did not seek them out. So, unfortunately, I accumulated a lot of unnecessary scarring on my brain. I'm incredibly lucky that I had 10 years of relatively good health after this point and that I have responded fairly well to treatment. Stupid but a lucky, lucky girl...