Hi,
I'm Joe, I had symptoms starting in my 20s, but was not diagnosed with "long standing, RRMS" in 2010. I fought the VA for decades, (since the mid 80s) that something else was wrong. All that got me was blacklisted & shipped off to the VA shrinks. Even after the VA shrink determined I was not crazy, nor depressed, just "adamant" that something else was wrong, the VA still REFUSED to follow up.
It was a new eye Dr. at St Jo in Ann Arbor MI in 2009, that noted my diplopia was strictly neurological, and opened the MS can-o-worms that I was able to get MS testing & subsequent RRMS Dx at the VA.
I was put on, (my choice) Copaxone following the RRMS Dx, now getting the new generic version.
I had been Dx with bilateral Meniere's by a local ENT in 2007, with a note of CNS issue, "investigate if warranted". I guess multiple falls requiring surgeries was not enough. I am told that the subsequent MS Dx supersedes/replaces the Meniere's Dx, the Meniere's Sx as being part of the MS. So I have to deal daily with Meniere's symptoms AND the usual MS issues.
The VA MS clinic is billed as a MS center of excellence, Far from it IMO. It took me 4 years to get a manual wheelchair & ramp, and 5 years to get a power scooter from the VA. I had to buy a USED mobility scooter on my own, no ins coverage. Medicare covered a power chair, a Jazzi in 2010 following my RRMS Dx & NON_VA PT evaluation.
I know this is a bit long, but my decades of on going battles with the US NAVY & subsequently the VA and have long, hard & very twisted.
I also have diabetes type-3c (treated as type-1), from pancreatitis in the Navy in 1968, psoriasis, sleep apneal & AFIBs from teens era Rheumatic fever. My adult life has been multiple endless health battles, including Cancer Dx in 1982 with 10% chance of surviving 12 months (beat the odds). I guess that makes me one tough old cookie?
Dx with RRMS but always have symptoms
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