Introduction-Age 27

[Guest guest]

I have been reading posts for a little over a month, and it is time

for me to briefly introduce myself. It is my birthday today, age 27.

I was diagnosed with probable MSA at the end of 2001 despite my young

age. I was pursuing PhD studies at the University of Chicago when a

tremor in my right hand appeared October 2001. Mind you, I have had

autonomic dysfunction dating back to nine years of age, but my

bloodpressure was in October no longer holding on many days even with

45mg/day of Midodrine. Things seemed to go downhill starting with a

spell where I felt as if I was in an earthquake-I fell down unlike

any of the hundreds of other falls when my bp dropped. The list of

symptoms grew each week: tingling/numbness on my right side,

spaciness/confusion, loss of balance, stuttering at times, my right

leg dragged, seizure like spells (w/o the mental accompaniment),

tremor migrates at times to left side,... Now, I heaviness on my

right side at times (esp my right arm), severe bladder spasms,

terrible full body muscle contractions (dystonia?) that can last

fifteen minutes with pauses dispersed throughout... Looking back, I

noticed some small things over the past year including how I tripped

occassional even on days when I felt well. It ends up that my right

foot drops limp at times. I cannot think right now what other

symptoms I am leaving out. I am in a wheelchair about half the time

(on good weeks less). But, of course, the wheelchair keeps me active

and safe, especially when I am having bad bouts of spaciness and lack

of balance. Additionally, I can do more in the wheelchair w/o getting

tired. I hope to soon get push assisted rims, though, b/c I cannot

often push my self for long periods owing to my weakness on my right

side, etc.

To continue, my wife, who has been amazing, left a job she loved. I

took a leave of absense from school. Now, we are living near family

in Georgia (my wife works part-time at my parents' furniture store).

My spirits are good most of the time. Recently, I have had some

depression-mostly b/c it is hard having so much family around

asserting opinions, etc., and of course the illness is hard at times.

I hope to soon regain the peace I have had at times through the

course of this illness.

I am sure many of you have questions. Feel free to ask. My

medications are Midodrine: 10 mg every 5 hours w/ 5mg mid-doses

between (45 to 50 mg/day), Florinef .05 AM .05 PM, Atenolol 62.5mg

AM, 50mg PM, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, and anti-

cholonergic for bladder spasms. (lots of water, no caffeine, little

sugar, no MSG, no nitrates, etc.)

It is wonderful to see such a great group of people helping each

other. And it is great to know that people are right there if you

have questions about MSA.

Thank you.