Hubby might have MS- Really scared, NEED prayers

[MissyLouWho?]

My 41 year old husband had Bell's Palsy twice in the last 4 years.  The last time was a year ago.  It never really cleared up all the way and left him with tinnitus so in February he had some blood work done, a hearing test, a balance test and just recently an MRI and CT scan.

He got his results yesterday from the ENT and they said that they found a lot of 'demyelination' and something about a lot of white matter on his brain.  It is most commonly from MS, but could be something else.  I called his primary doctor right before they closed for an appointment to discuss the results and they gave me an appointment for Thursday, but after giving the note to the doctor, called me back to say they wanted him to come in the next day (today).  He is sending him to a neurologist for further evaluation but said that MS is a good possibility.  He wouldn't let me come to the appointment with him so I couldn't ask questions, and he didn't ask much .  Wouldn't take my list of questions with him, either.

I am beyond terrified.  This man is EVERYTHING to me.  He is the first and last thought on my mind every day.  I am beside myself with what to do for him.  He's one of those big strong 'capable of everything' kind of guys.  He's the mayor of our town.  He's not the kind of guy who will 'let himself' be disabled.  He's content to pretend sickness doesn't exist.  I am freaking out but trying to keep it together for his sake.  I don't want him to have to go through anything like this! 

Is there anything that could cause demyelination of the brain that ISN'T devastating?  I feel like someone just said he has stage 4 cancer but they don't know where it is.  I think I am freaking out so much because a good friend's mother has it and is severely disabled.  She takes about 2 hours to eat a slice of toast, can't walk at all, and another friend's mom is barely walking. 

His cholesterol is really bad and will cause hardening of the arteries if he doesn't get it down so we are changing his diet.  I had no idea he was anywhere near these levels!  Now I'm afraid of a heart attack or stroke.  His Lyme's test came back showing P23ab in both IgG and IgM, but no other bands so they said 'no Lyme's'.   And ironically, he tested positive for ANA.

I could really use some prayers for him right now.  He is my rock.  And I'm a worry wort like no other 

[mnslewis]

My family is sending prayers to yours

[engy]

I will definitely say a prayer tonight for you & your hubby.

I hope the doctors can give you more answers about his diagnosis & the next step whatever it may be. I'm sure you are both scared but try not to think the worst. I know that is hard but that much stress will really take a toll on you.

I hope you work as a team to improve your lives & do what you need to do to become more healthy.

Blessings to you both.

[Ark mom]

Missy, oh my gosh, honey, I am so sorry that you are having to go through this on top of your struggles.  My heart aches for you.  Other things can cause white matter changes like sjogrens, for one.  Does he get migraines?  Or have high blood pressure?  I did a ton of MS research when I was under investigation for MS.  Well, I guess it really isn't over since I am going in for another MRI without/with contrast.  I know first hand how it feels to be going down is road.   Please lean on me if you ever need to talk or cry.  I will be praying for you and your husband. 

[Gayle]

Hi MissyLou

PLEASE - don't panic yet. Also, I know many people with MS, some of which you would never know. DIET is VERY VERY important in MS so if it is, find out what he needs. Look on line and see all the celebrities ( A LOT ) who have it and are still doing very well. You would never know...

Hugs and prayers for you and your husband. Slow down, breath and remind him to breath too... Stoicism is a grand trait... sigh...

HUGS again!

Gayle

[artistangie]

Yall both have my prayers <3

[MissyLouWho?]

Thank you everyone for the insight and prayers.  You guys really mean so much to me. 

We were supposed to go crabbing this morning but I am so upset I shut down and couldn't get out of bed until 10:30.  I had another episode of tonic immobility and couldn't move...but I came around and I think I'm settling in.  The panic is going away and now the all-consuming research starts...  Being informed makes me feel powerful, like I'm actually doing something to help.

He does have slightly high blood pressure, and was put on a low dose bp med plus a water pill. 

He actually asked me if I was contagious (kidding of course) because he said everything they THOUGHT I had and was tested for, he was coming down with  .  He said "That's how much I love you, I got AI stuff too so you don't have to be alone."  I think I fell in love with him again this morning when he said that .  (He now thinks a +ANA means he has something AI, the silly goose!) 

He is seeing my neurologist's partner next Friday and I hope she runs all the tests quickly and can give us some much needed answers.

Goodness, when it rains, it pours.  I feel like we're being kicked over and over when we're already down  .  There's my stuff, our financial issues, my 10 year old daughter probably has congenital adrenal hyperplasia but they need to do another round of blood work to confirm it, and she also might have absence seizures and needs a 3 day eeg done.  I don't want to tempt Fate, but I almost wanna yell "What else you got for us?!!!" (I am knocking on wood as I type )  Sheesh.  I know God has a plan but I would really like to know what it is so I can deal with it better!

[artistangie]

it doesnt seem fair that you all are dealing with so much, not fair at all... and i will never understand why life is so charmed for some and so hard for others... I think you are wise to post in this safe zone around folks who genuinely care. 

[Iris]

I will keep you and your hubby in my prayers.. I hope everything turns out ok..

[susanep]

I said prayers for both of you. I understand your feelings toward how close you are to your husband. I am the same with mine.

God Bless
susanep

[eye2dry]

A prayer just went up from me to HIM.

I know 2 people with MS...they have had it many years......

guess what??

both are walking and they can eat toast as fast as I can.


please relax and enjoy your husband....go crabbing.

eye2dry

[iraisin]

Hey there Missy,
I'm thinking about you and hoping things are looking brighter. How are things going with Hubby? Do you know more yet?

Hugs.

[Meld256]

Missy,

It surely sometimes seems that we are put through some kind of character test, doesn't it?  One we didn't ask for and really want no part of!  Our family had one of those years a while back; I dubbed it "the year from H*%#" 

My thoughts and prayers are with you while you and your husband journey through more test results.  I can understand you being terrified.  Not to minimize in any way how you feel but I have read that there are new treatments recently and just as Sjogrens and our related issues are not devastating for all of us,  it is the same with MS. 

A close friend of mine was diiagnosed approx.two years ago, and is living a full life.  She takes her meds and gets her rest and is still working.  She modified her schedule a little which only means she works 2 long shifts as a Respiratory nurse as opposed to 4-12 hr. shifts per week!

Please know we are all here for you.  

Hugs,
Melinda

[WildThing]

My thoughts are with you hunni x

[Katybarstool]

MIssy

I'm praying for you and yours too.

Kathyx