After I was diagnosed.

"Tiredness. Balance problems. Within a week after these symptoms began a year ago May, I was in a neurologist's office. The standard clinical tests showed nothing, but since the balance problem persisted, the doctor scheduled an MRI. That test showed MS lesions and the diagnosis was, 'It's probably MS.' After that I went to another neurologist whose specialty is MS and his diagnosis was definite MS.' It took just one month for my worst nightmare to come true. You see, my mother had MS."

This is how Janet McCormack, 38, of New York City, describes her introduction to multiple sclerosis. Although the name of the disease attached to her diagnosis was not a total shock because of family history, Janet said she found she had to go through the same sets of feelings every newly diagnosed person experiences.

"I was frightened; I was depressed, imagining the worst scenario for myself; and I was wallowing in self-pity:

Why did lightning have to strike twice,' I asked. But after about two weeks, and with the help of friends and family, I started to calm down and THINK.

"My first step was to go to the library and collect everything I could about MS. Even though I was acquainted with it, I was looking at it from a new perspective-it was my body now. I also called the New York City Chapter and asked them to send me information.

"The next step I took was to join a support group for the newly diagnosed (under three years). This group has been extremely important in helping me to learn how to take one day at a time. Almost everyone in the group is still ambulatory and the feelings of optimism and support are strong." Janet also advises people who are newly diagnosed to get some professional therapy as well if at all possible.

"Mine has resulted in a level of understanding and insight that has made a tremendous difference in my ability to differentiate and handle problems on an individual basis." Physically, the drug Cylert (pemoline) has helped her cope with the symptom that has troubled her the most-fatigue. She says the drug has been 80% effective in lessening her fatigue. Janet has one more piece of advice to offer: You have to trust your own instincts about your body," she says.

"You have to work actively with your doctor. Don't be a passive patient." One year after her diagnosis, Janet is still at her job at the UN. She works with computers and, although she found that her touch has changed because of tingling in her fingers, she has been able to adapt.

"I work six days a week, and I feel good. I still can't help having some fears about the future, but I'm very optimistic about the years ahead."