Re: seeking dx, family situations

[Guest guest]

{{{{{{{{Trista}}}}}}}} The Neuro I saw asked me about my Mother's symptoms. Something told me he was asking if I was "imagining" the same for me. At the follow-up, I gave him a longer list of symptoms. He said they weren't MS symptoms. He's stupid. rofl I admitted to having those depressed days. Not easy for me, because I don't want to be tagged with "depression" for anything other than depression. He told me what I was experiencing goes along with depression... that the symptoms I claimed can be connected to / from depression. I told him the symptoms I have aren't FROM depression, the depression is FROM those symptoms. I have something wrong, don't know what it is, was afraid at times of what the future may hold, and it gets to be a downright bummer. And, uhm, hey doc... isn't "depression" part of what so many MSers deal with? I really laughed over the descriptions of the Psych you saw! ROFL I once saw a T (Therapist) who was much like that. Thankfully, she never regarded me the way the Psych did you. Good for you, calling right there from your car. I'd have been angry, too. And hurt. I love my Birkies. ROFL Challis Trista wrote: Sharon, I'm so disgusted with the whole thing. It was my OB/GYN that suggested it could be MS, when I was pg with . No one ever seemed concerned before that, even though I told the Drs. about my sx's. I went in about 8-10 yrs ago complaining of numbness and tingling in my arms and hands, and the NP blew me off, saying it was probably my weight and poor circulation. I lost 110 lbs, and the sx's were worse and I had more of them. I complained of fatigue, and was told that I probably had Mono, but was never tested. The sx's hit me hard in 2003, so I went back to the Dr., who dx'd me with pre-diabetes, and said my sx's were probably due to that and stress or depression. He sent me to psych, and referred me to a Rheumy to check for Lupus. All tests were negative, but my

sed rate was high, but he didn't seem to care about that and my liver enzymes were off. (probably due to taking huge amounts of Tylenol, trying to make the pain go away.) The psych seemed to believe me, that my pain was REAL and had a physical cause, not psychogenic. She gave me relaxation CD's, and a booklet on dealing with chronic pain. I thought FINALLY someone believed me! I walked to the car, reading the booklet. I got to the car and the story was about a woman who had been injured and had severe pain. She had to have meds to control pain, and PT, until she got better. Then one day, her pain returned, and she couldn't focus on anything but the pain. No matter what the Dr. did, she didn't get better. Turns out, it was psychogenic in nature and not "real" after all. I was so pissed at this point, that I cancelled my next appt. from the parking lot with my cell phone and never went back. She was an old hippie

type with beads, long gauze skirts, Birkenstocks, chanting CD's playing. Not, that I think that there's anything wrong with anyone who is similar to her, but "thinking that the pain is gone", didn't make it go away. I just get so frustrated with people who only see things one way. Like, if you are overweight, it MUST be your weight. Or if you are moody and irritable because of real pain and a female, it MUST be hormones. Good grief. I never brought up that I was a nurse. I did tell them, yes I take meds for depression/anxiety, that is well controlled. So, as soon as they hear that, It must be "in my head". Grrrrr. When my bladder was spasming during pregnancy, it MUST be pg. Even though, it's happening now, and I'm not pg. When I revealed that I was a nurse with a background in psych, then I was someone who knew what sx's to have

to get attention. I fired that Dr. I am limited to who I can see as far as specialists. There are 2 cities, north and south of us for me to go too. The city north, is not taking any more referrals now. So, I went south, and he pretty much blew me off. What I just don't understand is how everyone here can tell me that my sx's are like those with MS, yet the neuro scratches his head and says he's confused if I hand him a list of more than 3 sx's. (rolling my eyes) Could it be, that you don't necessarily have to see lesions, to indeed have MS? Could I be one of many that have told me, they did not have lesions showing, when they were in the early stages? Could there be another undiscovered cousin to MS, that is causing all my problems? It just seems that I've heard of so many people with the same sx's, who do not have a dx, due to no lesions on the MRI. How can they say there is no definitive

test to dx, yet MUST see lesions on an MRI? To answer your question, I started out with numbness/tingling and fatigue that just never went away, and as time has gone by, I've developed more sx's. They all come and go, but are never gone completely. Pregnancy seems to make my pain go away. I did have an increased burning skin sensation start while pg though. The severity of sx's changes. I can be better for a day, a week, then be so ill, I can't make it down the isles to go grocery shopping. I am only 35. My family remembers me, as the one they couldn't keep up with. Now, I walk like an old lady, and need frequent naps to get through the day. More than you wanted to know I'm sure. LOL. I gotta go, my nap is calling. lol.

Bye for now. Trista erred ! HI EVERYONE HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO.. ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol. I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding. Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie mama! trista

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Are you insinuating that those of us birky wearing hippy types are flaky? OF course I wear Birks, they are the only shoes I CAN wear!! I just wish they were a bit cheeper...I have gotten some good deals on eBay on them...

Peace and Blessings

~*~ Akiba ~*~

Pragmatic Visionary

http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/

http://www.solay-twinflames.com

-- Re: seeking dx, family situations

Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol. I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding. Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie mama! trista

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

I live in hippie central (Colorado) & my favorites are

Crocs! I could walk forever in those.

E.

Colorado

--- Trista wrote:

> Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol.

> I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding.

> Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with

> my " therapist " . She just so happened to be a FLAKE

> too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never

> worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie

> mama! trista

> (was) Cassy (now) seeking

> dx, family situations

>

>

> Trista:

> Can you go to a different neuro? You have so

> many classic symptoms of MS. Did you have a first

> BIG attack? Or has it been gradual? When did all

> this start for you?

> I was always the 'strong' one in my family,

> too. I was the one who took charge in any situation.

> I'm the one who took charge of my ill Grandmother,

> my ill Father, and my ill Mother. I took care of

> them, saw that they got to the doctor, saw they got

> to the hospital when needed... etc. I took care of

> Dad and Grandmother until their deaths. & ! nbsp; Then

> took care of my mother until she got so ill she

> needed full time nursing care and then got her into

> a good nursing home. I have two older brothers.

> Neither of them has truly helped with any of this.

> I'm the one who sat in the hospital waiting to hear

> if my elders were going to live or not each time

> they were in the hospital. One brother lived out of

> state but the other one lived next door to me and he

> would say " I don't like hospitals " so he wouldn't

> come. The only time he came was when death was

> imminent. I was stoic, strong and didn't cry until

> I got home. Beyond that kind of thing I was a

> single parent and truly raised my fine children by

> myself. I took them camping by myself (when women

> didn't do that sort of thing). Now here I have to

> ask for rides to the doctor, to the store, etc. I

> can't drive anymore because I'm such a bad driver

> now (rolled my van 8 or 9 times end to end and over

> and over, they say). My cognitive function is

> screwy and I hit a guy (backed into his truck) one

> time and never had any memory of it. So I don't

> drive. My neuro says I shouldn't and the accident

> investigator said he wouldn't ticket me for the

> rollover if I voluntarily quit driving. So I don't

> drive. Here I am the strong one---not strong

> anymore. Okay...sorry folks. I'm getting maudlin

> here.... and soon the violins will start playing....

> (smiling)

> You mentioned your 13 y/o with Aspergers.

> Aspies are very special kids. My 10 y/o

> granddaughter with Aspergers lives with me (and her

> family--we share a house). If I'm in my room

> resting, or on the phone, or reading.... she pops in

> over and over and says she just wanted to check to

> see if I'm okay. If I'm shopping she will ask her

> dad to call me on my cell phone to find out if I'm

> okay. She worries and frets about me. She helps me

> with all kinds of chores and, in fact, takes over

> the chores I need to do. She's the " strong one in

> the making " maybe? Her 11 y/o brother will come

> over to me and rub my back when he knows I'm hurting

> a

=== message truncated ===

" Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops. "

Cary Grant

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Crocs? Do tell....never heard of them!

Peace and Blessings

~*~ Akiba ~*~

Pragmatic Visionary

http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/

http://www.solay-twinflames.com

-- Re: seeking dx, family situations

I live in hippie central (Colorado) & my favorites areCrocs! I could walk forever in those. E.Colorado--- Trista <tabeloecharter (DOT) net> wrote:> Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol. > I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding.> Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with> my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE> too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never> worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie> mama! trista > (was) Cassy (now) seeking> dx, family situations> > > Trista:> Can you go to a different neuro? You have so> many classic symptoms of MS. Did you have a first> BIG attack? Or has it been gradual? When did all> this start for you? > I was always the 'strong' one in my family,> too. I was the one who took charge in any situation.> I'm the one who took charge of my ill Grandmother,> my ill Father, and my ill Mother. I took care of> them, saw that they got to the doctor, saw they got> to the hospital when needed... etc. I took care of> Dad and Grandmother until their deaths. & ! nbsp; Then> took care of my mother until she got so ill she> needed full time nursing care and then got her into> a good nursing home. I have two older brothers. > Neither of them has truly helped with any of this. > I'm the one who sat in the hospital waiting to hear> if my elders were going to live or not each time> they were in the hospital. One brother lived out of> state but the other one lived next door to me and he> would say "I don't like hospitals" so he wouldn't> come. The only time he came was when death was> imminent. I was stoic, strong and didn't cry until> I got home. Beyond that kind of thing I was a> single parent and truly raised my fine children by> myself. I took them camping by myself (when women> didn't do that sort of thing). Now here I have to> ask for rides to the doctor, to the store, etc. I> can't drive anymore because I'm such a bad driver> now (rolled my van 8 or 9 times end to end and over> and over, they say). My cognitive function is> screwy and I hit a guy (backed into his truck) one> time and never had any memory of it. So I don't> drive. My neuro says I shouldn't and the accident> investigator said he wouldn't ticket me for the> rollover if I voluntarily quit driving. So I don't> drive. Here I am the strong one---not strong> anymore. Okay...sorry folks. I'm getting maudlin> here.... and soon the violins will start playing....> (smiling)> You mentioned your 13 y/o with Aspergers. > Aspies are very special kids. My 10 y/o> granddaughter with Aspergers lives with me (and her> family--we share a house). If I'm in my room> resting, or on the phone, or reading.... she pops in> over and over and says she just wanted to check to> see if I'm okay. If I'm shopping she will ask her> dad to call me on my cell phone to find out if I'm> okay. She worries and frets about me. She helps me> with all kinds of chores and, in fact, takes over> the chores I need to do. She's the "strong one in> the making" maybe? Her 11 y/o brother will come> over to me and rub my back when he knows I'm hurting> a === message truncated ==="Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."Cary Grant__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm a Birkie wearing (old) hippie mama too. LOL

Sharon (MSersLife Group Owner/Creator)

It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

HEY,I DON'T HAVE BIRKIE'S,BUT IM A HIPPIE FLIP FLOPPIN MAMA.LOLSharon Marsden wrote: I'm a Birkie wearing (old) hippie mama too. LOL Sharon

(MSersLife Group Owner/Creator) It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant ! HI EVERYONE HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO.. ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

LOL. Of course not! I hear some people say that we Californian's are the real flakes. I heard that God tipped the USA, and all the nuts and flakes rolled into California. lol. I've never had a pair, but they look so comfortable. I am getting to where I have a lot of trouble finding shoes I can wear, due to being so "clumsy". I trip myself and fall often, if I wear anything with any heel at all. My shoes have to be flat, like flat sandals. And, I'm even having trouble with those. I catch the right toe of the shoe, and trip myself. Maybe I'll check ebay. I think I'll jump on the birky wearin' hippy mama train. Hoot! Hoot! trista

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Colorado is hippie central? I have to say, that crocs are the ugliest things I've ever seen. But, a nurse friend of mine says they are reallllly comfortable. They look like they would be hot and sticky feeling. Ok, so now I have to change it to Birky OR Croc wearin' hippie mama. Maybe I'll buy my old psych a pair a gift! lol. : ) Trista

(was) Cassy (now) seeking> dx, family situations> > > Trista:> Can you go to a different neuro? You have so> many classic symptoms of MS. Did you have a first> BIG attack? Or has it been gradual? When did all> this start for you? > I was always the 'strong' one in my family,> too. I was the one who took charge in any situation.> I'm the one who took charge of my ill Grandmother,> my ill Father, and my ill Mother. I took care of> them, saw that they got to the doctor, saw they got> to the hospital when needed... etc. I took care of> Dad and Grandmother until their deaths. & ! nbsp; Then> took care of my mother until she got so ill she> needed full time nursing care and then got her into> a good nursing home. I have two older brothers. > Neither of them has truly helped with any of this. > I'm the one who sat in the hospital waiting to hear> if my elders were going to live or not each time> they were in the hospital. One brother lived out of> state but the other one lived next door to me and he> would say "I don't like hospitals" so he wouldn't> come. The only time he came was when death was> imminent. I was stoic, strong and didn't cry until> I got home. Beyond that kind of thing I was a> single parent and truly raised my fine children by> myself. I took them camping by myself (when women> didn't do that sort of thing). Now here I have to> ask for rides to the doctor, to the store, etc. I> can't drive anymore because I'm such a bad driver> now (rolled my van 8 or 9 times end to end and over> and over, they say). My cognitive function is> screwy and I hit a guy (backed into his truck) one> time and never had any memory of it. So I don't> drive. My neuro says I shouldn't and the accident> investigator said he wouldn't ticket me for the> rollover if I voluntarily quit driving. So I don't> drive. Here I am the strong one---not strong> anymore. Okay...sorry folks. I'm getting maudlin> here.... and soon the violins will start playing....> (smiling)> You mentioned your 13 y/o with Aspergers. > Aspies are very special kids. My 10 y/o> granddaughter with Aspergers lives with me (and her> family--we share a house). If I'm in my room> resting, or on the phone, or reading.... she pops in> over and over and says she just wanted to check to> see if I'm okay. If I'm shopping she will ask her> dad to call me on my cell phone to find out if I'm> okay. She worries and frets about me. She helps me> with all kinds of chores and, in fact, takes over> the chores I need to do. She's the "strong one in> the making" maybe? Her 11 y/o brother will come> over to me and rub my back when he knows I'm hurting> a === message truncated ==="Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."Cary Grant__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ooooops. There are a lot of you huh? lol. Hope you all know I'm just joking. Trista

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Now, huny, she's saying YOU are. ROFL Challis ~Birkie-wearin non-flake. It's like frosted flakes, but different. Akiba wrote: Are you insinuating that those of us birky wearing hippy types

are flaky? OF course I wear Birks, they are the only shoes I CAN wear!! I just wish they were a bit cheeper...I have gotten some good deals on eBay on them... Peace and Blessings ~*~ Akiba ~*~ Pragmatic Visionary http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/ http://www.solay-twinflames.com -- Re: seeking dx, family situations Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol. I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding. Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie mama! trista ! HI EVERYONE HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO.. ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Me, Flaky? I resemble that!!!!!

Peace and Blessings

~*~ Akiba ~*~

Pragmatic Visionary

http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/

http://www.solay-twinflames.com

-- Re: seeking dx, family situations

Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol. I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding. Nothing wrong with any or all of my description with my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs hippie mama! trista

! HI EVERYONE

HI,MY NAME IS CASSY,AND I AM 25 YRS. OLD.I HAVE BEEN SICK FOR 3YRS.,BUT THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE BECOME DISABLED.I MAY HAVE MS,IHAVE HAD 2 BRAIN MRI'S THAT WERE NORMAL,SO NOW THEY ARE GOING TOLOOK AT MY SPINE.I AM VERY SICK,AND WOULD LOVE TOO TALK TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TOO SHARE INFO..

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

You can see them on www.crocs.com

They kind of look like gardening shoes!

E.

--- Akiba wrote:

> Crocs? Do tell....never heard of them!

> Peace and Blessings

> ~*~ Akiba ~*~

> Pragmatic Visionary

> http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/

> http://www.solay-twinflames.com

>

> -- Re: seeking dx, family

> situations

>

> I live in hippie central (Colorado) & my favorites

> are

> Crocs! I could walk forever in those.

> E.

> Colorado

>

> --- Trista wrote:

>

> > Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol.

>

> > I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding.

> > Nothing wrong with any or all of my description

> with

> > my " therapist " . She just so happened to be a FLAKE

> > too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never

> > worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs

> hippie

> > mama! trista

> > (was) Cassy (now) seeking

> > dx, family situations

> >

> >

> > Trista:

> > Can you go to a different neuro? You have so

>

=== message truncated ===

" Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops. "

Cary Grant

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Are they wide? I have fat feet. I was just looking on eBay, I think they look cool! Or should I say "kewl"!!

Peace and Blessings

~*~ Akiba ~*~

Pragmatic Visionary

http://yodamamma.blogspot.com/

http://www.solay-twinflames.com

-- Re: seeking dx, family> situations> > I live in hippie central (Colorado) & my favorites> are> Crocs! I could walk forever in those. > E.> Colorado> > --- Trista <tabeloecharter (DOT) net> wrote:> > > Challis, are you a Birky wearin' hippie mama? lol.> > > I figured Akiba, but not you! Just kidding.> > Nothing wrong with any or all of my description> with> > my "therapist". She just so happened to be a FLAKE> > too. lol. Sometimes, pain is REAL!!! I've never> > worn Birkenstocks, but they look comfy. Hugs> hippie> > mama! trista > > (was) Cassy (now) seeking> > dx, family situations> > > > > > Trista:> > Can you go to a different neuro? You have so> === message truncated ==="Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."Cary Grant__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've been a Canadian Birkenstock nut for many years - but mainly go barefoot now. My brother, the priest, also wears birkies too! Not everyone who likes comfort is flakey!

Challis, I am one of those lurkers who follows the posts regularly and could not resist responding to recent discussions about psychic abilities, seeking dx, and family situations. I had a doctor who, knowing my father had MS, suspected MS for me back in '73. He did some preliminary tests, (before MRIs) but there was nothing conclusive and we ended up dropping it. I was a mother with 5 young children - which could explain many symptoms - so I continued enjoying my very busy life! I was very close to my father and felt quite happy about our 'psychic connection' as I would experience and know exactly where he was at with his MS, because I would feel the same things! Though he lived many miles away, I 'knew' when to phone him. My kids kept me eternally young and very happy. Once they grew up and left the nest, my father died, I began to suspect I was in serious trouble (maybe a brain tumor?) My local doctor sent me, in '99, to another city for back surgery...where specialists did an MRI and discovered lesions on both the right and left hemisphere of my brain (too numerous to be counted.) I came away without the surgery and a diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS. (What a relief!) I am thankful I had all those wonderful 'MS free years.' That has to be a classic case of ultimate denial! I feel rather foolish now, for not catching on sooner, but am satisfied that I have had a great life - despite not knowing I had MS for those 26 years! I also developed many skills that have helped a lot for my MS walk! Dx or not - enjoy every minute of every day! (((Hugs))) Marilyn