Mich.
Sorry I have taken a few days to get back to you.

Symptoms - Yes they can come and go at the drop of a hat. It feels like one day you just wake up and they are gone. With my vision I went blind in one eye. it started slowly, and over a week it went for spots in the eye to only having peripheral vision. It is called Optic Neuritis, and I had Retro Bulba Neuritis. Goggle and you will find lots of info. People without MS can get it too. I saw an opthamologist and my Neuro to diagnose.

Drugs - IF (and I say IF desperately hoping that you don't) you were suspected of having MS they would not encourage you to start on any drug therapies straight away. Usually the protocol to get a confirmed diagnosis is to have two separate different confirmed episodes. Then, they will consider starting drug treatment. For me, I have not used any yet (my first ep was in 2004), but due to my recent relapse my Neuro wants me to start on them (Interferons). I will consider starting these after I have weaned my baby. My Neuro is mindful of the breast feeing factors, and in consultation we will make a decision when to start. For you, I would think you don't need to worry too much about that yet.

How did it start / epidural - I would not think your disc bulge. They say that there is no real trigger for MS. I have been lead to believe epidural is totally safe, and the decision for me to have a c-sect is totally mine. C-Sect is not necessary for MS sufferers, you can labour naturally.

If you need good reliable info on MS there is a great forum site i use from time to time with some good info. - Home

Good luck with your DR this week and please let me know how you get on.



EEJ - With the steroids they use for MS it is a huge dose given IV over three days. that is it. You get a few side effects from it, but nothing compared to long term use. It will help kick you body into healing itself, but will not ultimately effect the outcome of your recovery from an episode. It would be your choice to proceed with that treatment if and when your neuro decides to do it. I decided not to have the steroid treatment during my last episode, and have come out OK, it just took longer then if I had had the treatment. HTH.

xo