Despite the history that Multiple Sclerosis begins, before the teenage years, too often, its diagnosis remains unconfirmed; until after its second, officially recognized, visible attack (exacerbation).
 Sadly, this is required by the need to eliminate all other possible medical causes, before MS can be diagnosed. Since there is no diagnostic test that can prove, you do or do not have MS. "Poser Criteria" (1, 2, 3) is the accepted medical standard.
MRIs are improving, but lesions alone are insufficient proof of MS. Thus, many MSers are stuck in LimboLand (Possible MS, Probable MS categories), from a few weeks, to a few months. But most of us linger, somewhere between two and fifteen years. 
The actual time period hardly matters; alone and adrift, it's a mind rending sentence, spent in fear of the unknown.
MSers are coping, living even with the adjustments and doubts Multiple Sclerosis brings us daily. IMHO, sharing our experiences, helps us overcome anything thrown our way. You need not struggle with the burden of MS alone, unless you choose to. 
I hope this website will answer some of your questions and that by comparing Jeff's MS Story to my MScapades, you will have less fear of MS and not judge your future, by the severity of your current attack - it too will end. 
Take your time looking through this site and relax a bit, we are all willing to share what we have learned. We were once adrift, scared of the future too! Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring; but you will handle it. |
since July 26, 1997.