Hi, all:

I'm new here, and not really posting much about myself as I am about others in my family, but I'll share my story:

In 1981 I was 18 and new at college. A couple months into fall semester, I was having what I called "my spells". When I would reach for something, my hand wouldn't go to whatever I was reaching for, but off to the side. My feet wouldn't land in the right spot when walking, never mind running, which I had to give up for the most part. I was exhausted. Occasionally, there would be a "blot" in my vision, as if a finger was coming into my field of view. I couldn't bring the words I'd have in my head to my lips to speak. I would have a headache like the dickens, but chalked all of this up to college stress.

January 1982, I was back on campus after Christmas still not feeling "right". I walked into the common area of my dorm when I saw large white balls sort of like those old film reels and you get to the end of the reel? Then down I went. Next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. I was there for four days while they ran CAT scan, LB, and other tests (way before MRI). The diagnosis was that it walked like MS, quacked like MS, but was inconclusive based on the tests. I took that to mean pretty much MS.

Since then, thankfully, I have not had anything that severe again, though the feet not landing right (drop foot?) has always persisted in some form. I enjoy walks with my husband but occasionally use one of his canes. I pace myself now and am experimenting with a plant-based diet. In college I was pretty much ignoring myself and I think that hurt me, MS and otherwise.

COVID, ironically, hurt my hands. We have to wear gloves at work and this makes me not feel a lot in my fingers. They make me more "fumbly". Hand exercises and finger stretches really help.

I feel blessed that so far, relapses are rare and pass pretty well. Something else might get me way before MS. I keep all of you in my thoughts, although I just found this site four hours ago