Hi Andrea, I have so much to say, first of all read a lot and only apply the part that pertains to you. The first thing you'll notice is that everyone has different symptoms and everyone's MS is in different stages moving at different speeds. I was diagnosed 14 years ago at age 28, great job, unmarried with no children but hoping for all and more. I too had the headaches and vision loss with minor numbness in one toe. It peaked on Xmas Eve that year and thought it was a problem with my eye so I went to an Opthomologist who cannot diagnose this disease, it's not in his realm of expertise but he did refer me to a Neorologist. He left me with the options of a brain tumor, an aneurysm or some brain disease ... Christmas was awful! I quickly got into the Neurologist despite the holiday and was diagnosed after an MRI and a spinal tap ... if you had an epidural with your kids this is about the same, followed by rest the remainder of the day ... this detects the absence of an enzyme in your spinal fluid which indicates MS. (Pardon my lack of medical terms but its been a long time.)
The thing I want to tell you the most is that doctors are quick to prescribe drugs and the drugs they prescribe were scary to me. If I had taken the beta interferon back then I would have had a much different life ... no children possible (I now have 2), flu like symptoms half of each month, depression and a high suicide rate. Go onto some of the treatment drug websites and read the side effects ... totally unacceptable. Plus if you take those drugs now what will you do when your 40 .. 50 .. 60 ??
You need to get in touch with YOU .. what makes you tired? REST ... I know how hard it is being a Mom but when you let yourself get rundown or let your nutrition suffer you'll pay! I had minor symptoms after both births (this may be what had heightened your symptoms) but some rest and good food helps. I also went to a wellness center for some homeopathic solutions. (If your doctor is any good he/she'll applaud this especially because of your age and only minor symptoms) I eliminated obvious foods like caffeine that give your body mixed signals, artificial sweeteners, prepackaged meals (lots of sodium, not much nutrition) and most sweets (still have a little occasionally but my MS mimics diabetic symptoms -- I was tested for diabetes several times as a teenager because this) The diet changes helped the headaches immensely. The wellness center helped me with a good protein supplement, b vitamin for energy and stamina and Evening Primrose Oil which has the GLA enzyme that you are missing in your spinal fluid. Also, I don't know where you're from but I'm from Texas and the heat kills me. When my body temperature rises I begin to get the spots in my eyes and the glowing sensation.
I don't know about you but I don't work well without all of the information, most women don't .. especially us doing the Wonder Woman thing ... kids, jobs, house ... the loss of control in this situation is unnerving! When they finally diagnose you, whatever you have you'll feel relieved just because you know ... then from there you'll start working through the details. Be prepared for them to say "incurable disease" and for the waiting rooms to be filled with people that have different stages of the disease or Parkinsons or worse. I tried a MS Society meeting or two but it wasn't for me ... I do read these forums from time to time just to keep up with the latest but sitting in a room full of people that are SICK seemed like a self fulfilling prophecy and I need to keep my focus on my health, not wonder if I have symptoms that I haven't imagined yet.
I'm rambling but I know this can be a Mom's worst nightmare. Thinking about taking my girls to college and walking down the aisle at their wedding is definately incentive to focus on my health and if I have to roll down in a wheelchair, well there are worse things. Now, I'm just being sappy! Anyway, I don't usually respond to these but your letter made my old feelings rush back and I hope I've helped in some small way. Please write me again if you have more questions.
Ktram
