I thought I needed back surgery, I never dreamed that I could have MS.

I was in my mid to late 30's. Had everything going for me. I had a great job working as Acct. office Mgr. at our local Walmart. Got paid very well, recently divorced, but I met the most wonderful man in the world.

Gallbladder removed

I had been dealing with degenerative disc disease for years, going through epidural injections for the pain and also nerve block surgeries. It gave me some short time relief, but still not feeling right. I ended up having to have my gallbladder out because it was only functioning at 8%. So, I'm thinking, GREAT, they finally found what was wrong with me.

Still in pain and discomfort

But, after my gallbladder was removed, I was still having pain & discomfort, just not in the same places as before. So, I request another MRI of my lumbar spine because I know that something is wrong with my body.

My poor family Dr. was my age and we both just was so frustrated and confused, I sat in her office and sobbed & I kept saying... my body is doing weird things and we couldn't explain it.

Tingling fingers and bladder issues

She helped schedule me to see one of the best back/spine surgeons in our area, but there was a 5 month waiting list. Man was it a long 5 months, by this time, my fingertips on my left hand were tingling and I started having problems urinating.

An MRI and spinal tap confirmed MS

I dropped about 17lbs. in a 2 month period. My appt. wasn't until Sept., so July 24th came, my 40th birthday, I went to get into the shower and the whole room started spinning and it wouldn't stop. That lasted for about 2 weeks. Finally, my appt came to see Dr. Cecil, from Omnicare in Canton, Ohio. He looked over the MRI of my spine and noticed, what he believed to be scars, or lesions, which is associated with MS. He ordered an MRI of my brain and spinal cord, then it was confirmed with a spinal tap.

My MS turned progressive after 3 years

Ten days later, I was meeting my neurologist, and trying to come up with the best treatment for my relapsing-remitting MS. I started with copaxone injections, switched to rebif and then betaseron. After 3 yrs. my MS turned progressive. I was forced to quit my job and go on SSD. Here I am, still in my wheelchair and praying for a cure & a reversal. Thanks for reading my story. I'm sure that some of you can relate.

Kathleen Newsome
New Philadelphia, Ohio