What is Multiple Sclerosis?
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- WordCharmer
- loveisjoy
- vemartin
- courage
- Ksera
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» WordCharmer - Good Article
Hi Pamela,I see you are new to Suite101. Welcome and thanks for a very informative article. I have a very good friend with MS and an aunt. I am trying to learn more about this disease.
I also wondered if you know how similiar MS is with Systemic Lupis Erythmatosis? It seems a lot of these autoimmune diseases are similar. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; all seem to have quite a few of the same symptoms.
I have no health insurance and several years ago, was sent to a Rheumatoligist for Lupis testing. The very rude doctor asked why my family doctor had sent me, knowing I had no insurance, and refused to do the tests. Needless to say, if I had insurance, I would never go back to him. But to make a long story short, I have many of the symptoms of Lupis, some of MS, but until I get insurance, I won't know.
Reading your story cleared a few things up. Thanks and hope others find your topic and start getting involved here. You are doing a great service by providing this information to the general public.
You
-- posted by WordCharmer
» loveisjoy - Similarities in Autoimmune Diseases
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, you are correct that there are similarities in autoimmune diseases which makes getting an accurate diagnosis problematic for many sufferers. I went through 8 different physicians over a two year period before I was definitively diagnosed with M.S. The road to diagnosis is often paved with uncertainty, frustration, and dead-ends.Interestingly, my mother suffers from many symptoms of autoimmune disorders--specific pains, odd, tingling and numbing sensations, skin rash, overwhelming fatigue, balance problems, and periodic disorientation. Although she has been tested for Lupus and Scleroderma, she is still awaiting a diagnosis because the tests were not definitive. Two other autoimmune disorders --fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome -- have not yet been ruled out either. Because these symptoms are common to several diseases, she has been frustrated in her search for an answer.
Perhaps this whole issue might make for an interesting future article. I'll keep you posted.
-- posted by loveisjoy
» vemartin - My Hat goes off to you...
It takes a person of great inner strength and character to deal with a chronic debilitating disease such as MS and still deal with the world with a smile on their face. On the outside all seems normal save the slight limp and sometimes lopsided stance, but on the inside the body and mind are rebelling. A person such as this is to be admired for her courage, and applauded for her selflessness and willingness to help others through this forum. I look forward to reading more articles, which highlight your unique perspective into this very nasty ailment.-- posted by vemartin
» courage - Re: My Hat goes off to you...
You have a lot of courage. I don't know if I could do what you are doing. I seriously considered becomming a contributing editor, but I don't know if I could do it. I'm blind do to shaken baby syndrome, and have other physical problems. I wanted to start a topic on shaken baby syndrome, but I don't know if I have the courage to do it. I'll consider it again. It's worth a try.-- posted by courage
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