In 2006 I was diagnosed with Devic's disease. It's very similar to multiple sclerosis except scarring occurs mostly along the spinal cord, and brain involvement is very minimal. During an excacerbation, there's usually tranverse myelitis (extensive spinal cord inflammation) and optic neuritis (squeezing of the optic nerve causing loss of vision). The treatment of choice each time I have a flare up is Solu-Medrol, a corticosteroid given IV in the hospital. I receive large doses, most times for about a week or so, and then I taper off the steroids over a span of a few weeks.
When I got the news, I was also told I'd need hip replacements before the age of 35. I'm now 29.
This, in a nut shell, is my story. I'm new to this site, but so far I've read a lot about a lot of different scenarios and I feel blessed to be able to write about what I'm going through.
I'm now seeking a second opinion from another orthepeadist. I share my story because I hope that another woman feeling alone, or feeling she is the only one in this situation, or a situation like mine, will realize that she isn't.
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Wow. That is a heavy blow to anyone who had gone through all that you have been through!
I had a similar scare due to the fact that I was seeing two doctors, both of whom were giving me steroids. I did develop osteoporosis. I was losing bone density before last year, but it really took a dive on my last bone density test. You will get through it. The hip replacements are cutting less and less each year. I had a boating accident that pulled all my tendons and ligaments as well as macerating my cartilage. A hip replacement is not an option for me.
Avascular necrosis is not something to fool around with. At least you have found out it was happening and you have options. It is scary, but I know a lot of people who say that they wonder why they waited because their lives are so much improveed since their surgeries.
Anyway, best of luck.
Beth
March 4, 2010 - 7:18pmThis Comment