@Cooper 

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Cooper

Finally diagnosed,but is it a good thing

I had my first problems 4 or 5 years ago with numbness and tingling on most arm and also having the 'hug' and numbness to the front of my legs. Diagnosed with delamination disease caused by MS but they needed to see progression before diagnosing MS. My first lapse was driven by extreme stresa Since then and it has been fine. My left hand has lost 40% of feeling to half of it but I can live with that (even being left handed!). If I fall ill I get some of the nerve damage again creeping in but nothing major... I didn't consider it a problem really and it was something in the back ground which i never thought about. However, recently i have again been under intense stress and as a result I have been having dizzy spells and feelings of vertigo. Again all manageable, stop and take a breather no big problem either. I have also been having some weakness at the knees when doing vigorous exercise, is long walks, bike rides etc. Together with my dizziness I feel a little unbalanced at times. Although mountain biking I am a little more wobbly, it's just frustrating more than anything. I saw the neurologist and am booked for another MRI in a week or so but my symptoms were as such that he diagnosed me with having MS. I have not really taken it in and nor will I. I will carry on doing what I am doing until i cant .... Before being diagnosed, I knew it was a possibility as back then progression was needed for a diagnosis. Things have changed since. The theory to diagnose as soon as possible so medication can be taken to limit the damage caused by the lapses on the long term. I am feeling different know, as I have a diagnosis , short term I am more accepting of the symptoms. I dont want to be, I want to carry on in my mindset of managing it as I go on so I can lead a normal life... it has worked so far. The consultant said last week after the tests etc "James, considering everything, you are managing really well". I didn't think I was that bad to be honest!! Reading on here I am lucky, I only get weakness, dizziness and weak knees but not all the time. I gym 2 -3 times a week and I am active too. I will bounce back i am sure but just kind of managing things at the moment. I dont even know if i am progressive or relapsing, i think the latter as stress seems to be the driver. In my mind the fitter I am, the less it will impact on me. Weak knees when your legs are not strong anyway will limit your life, having weak knees when your legs are strong will help you stay active - that's the theory anyway. I hope you dont mind, I had to share as still coming to terms with it, or not maybe?
@Stumbler

@cooper , it's good to write it all down. It doesn't change anything, but it does help "put it in a box"! Be careful about being in denial. MS doesn't like to be ignored or disrespected and will be very scathing when it decides to bite your bum. Rather than ignore it and carry on regardless, you need to consider ways where you and your MS can live in harmony together. Yes, I agree with your "use it or lose it" approach, but be wary that your "new" body is more intolerant of a rise in core body temperature. This will exacerbate your MS symptoms until you cool back down. By the way, all MS is progressive. Relapsing/Remitting MS (RRMS) is just characterised by periods of experiencing new symptoms, then recovering from them. However, the recovery is never quite 100%.

@Cooper

Thanks Stumbler for the advice. I shall bear that in mind. I have not really read into it too much and i have denied any drugs historically too. I will take something prescribed moving forward to limit any damage. My permanently partial numb hand is testament to not taking any medication.At the moment I cant disregard it as I seem to be dizzy most of the time when moving. I do need to remain positive, therefore will tackle things when they come up. Maybe I should also read further into steps to take to limit lapses etc?