Multiple Sclerosis and WLS

I'd like to connect with members who have MS and share/learn from each other's journey. Sometimes our symptoms/disease work against our physical activity goals.

Hi, i just recently went through a lot of testing to r/o MS. My neurologist doesn't think i have it but still wants me to get a blood test called glycosides to see. All of my other tests were negative , but i have had facial numbness since 2 weeks after my vsg. 4 years ago i experienced the same facial numbness after i had some dental work done , so now i am on neurontin but it has not started working yet. How old were you when you were diagnosed and did it take a long time to diagnose you? My dr said that even though my mri was normal that there is still a chance that i have it? does that sound right?

It took a very long time to diagnosis me. I was in my 20's when I first started having symptoms and in my 40's when I was officially diagnosed. MS was suspected. I eventually had an MRI of my brain and a spinal tap which confirmed the diagnosis of demylating of my nerves. I am actually doing well with management (medications) I self inject daily a medication called Copaxone but I'm looking at a new drug they have on the market which is a daily oral medication. For me the hardest part is fatigue and heat sensitivity (getting overheated will put me in bed for days). I did have memory trouble and balance issues but those issues seem to be resolved. No cure for this illness just management of symptoms. I pray you get the answers you seek and that it isn't MS. - Bless you bunches.

My best friend has MS now for about 6 years. She is going thru the weight checks and so on. I will try to get her on here as i think its a great place for information!

Hi,
i am sorry to hear that you have MS.  i don't have MS but my brother Bob does.  He has not had WLS but i understand the problems that you are having, although they vary greatly from one person to another with this disease.  

Yesterday i was at the hospital while he had the controversial procedure where they widen the jugular and brachiocephalic veins to prevent build up of iron.  He had chemotherapy 3 yr ago at Hopkins to kill the immune system and reboot it.  it obviously did not help.

i am frustrated for people like you and my brother that pharmaceutical companies don't come up with treatment that arrests the progression of the disease.   Sometimes i wonder if pharmaceutical companies would rather not find a cure because they are economically driven not to.  i heard once from a person who worked for a biotech company that when they find a drug that works, they stop studying it. 

When is the last time you heard of a cure in medicine?  Polio in 1950s.

Sorry for rambling.  Frustrated!

Best wishes to you!

- Donna

I do not have MS but I do have Spina Bifida, which will also sometimes work against my physical activity goals. I am planning on having VSG in the fall as long as I can get both my neurosurgeon and urologist on board. Would love to hear from others who have disabilities as well. :)