I was Dx oct 06 but it was suspected in 1989. I LOVE Copaxone!!!
There is relatively no or few side effects!! All the interferons you
feel like a super bad case of flu 2-3 days every week. Insane!
Copaxone is daily shots but they send out a nurse and it is easy!
Pretty soon it is part of your daily routine! It makes you think you
have some control over MS and take the power and do the shot every
day. It does not change the fatigue, just not as bad as when you forget the
shot. What it does is the amino acid in copaxone mimics the cells that your body
is attacking and attacks the copaxone instead. They put on alot of seminars.
Contact Shared Solutions and they will let you know when there is one in your
area. Also ask for travel boxes. They will send you some for traveling and I
keep my shots in them in the fridge. They also have hot/cold packs you use for
shots. Also google MSAA! They have super programs. They have free loaner books
you can request, then you send back the books in the bag postage already paid.
They also have a cooling vest for summertime you can request. Filling out a
form. MSAA and shared solutions are my top 2 resources. Shared solutions is
open 24/7/365. After 8pm they have on call nurses and they will
call you right back. any concerns or questions. Don't hesitate to get
counseling if you find you are depressed. I personally highly recommend everyone
read MS and your FEELINGS!!! I did not find it until recently! Allison Shadday
is LCSW medical clinical social worker and was diagnosed with MS. VERY Very
helpful book!! Check it out at your library if you cannot afford the 14.95 or
amazon or whatever discount. Biggest thing is dont make any major decisions for
a year. Take a leave if you must but give yourself a chance to grieve. What I
have found is that the griveing is ongoing. Just when you accept the DX then
you have new symptoms that start that grieving over. That is normal. Just allow
yourself to feel and accept it and be thankful for what you can do. NOt what
you have lost thru attrition. It is a disease that slowly takes away things and
over time you say huh, i cannot do that anymore.
find a good dr you like and respect. Not uncommon to fire a couple
neuros til you find a good one. Hope this helps you. Also a good support site
like Daily Strength has discussions and great friends. The best site I LOVE is
PatientsLikeMe!!! It is wonderful. The owners are super! On PatientsLikeMe, you
enter your symptoms and can keep track of them and there is a link you print out
a drs report sheet to take with you to show the ups and downs of your symptoms!
that is very very important. Also you can blog or keep your own private
journal.

hugzzzzzzzzzzz
mswithms