I can relate to what karilann says about having days where you feel like you have MS and days where you forget you have MS.
I was given the prognosis, at 25 years of age. About the same age, as yourself. Mine was definitely ON, and had I had the insurance, and returned during my 2nd ON flare-up, no doubt, I'd have had the dx at the age of 25.
With that said. 13 years later, I can say, it hasn't been that terrible of a journey, with MS. Really, truly, it hasn't been that terrible. I do need to, at the advisement of my primary doctor, need to go for a regular eye, exam. Not so much because there's anything wrong, per se, with my vision, but because these check ups are a normal part of life. Much like going for an annual physical with a primary care doctor.
It's scary, at first. Every ache and pain, and itch and twitch, can seem suspect. It is true, once you get through the initial shock to your emotions, life can seem to carry on, as normal. As it, may have once been before.
It's normal, to start looking back, and wondering, was this leading up to MS, was this MS related, etc. That's the normal path of being diagnosed and coming to acceptance, that there are lesions on the brain.
Worrying, adds to stress, and stress is one of those things, that MSers, like you and I and everyone else in this group, are supposed to avoid.
I agree, try to stay closer to those with a positive message. It can play tricks on your mind, to worry, is this going to happen next or not? That is a stressor, above and beyond the normal daily stresses that are usually unavoidable, i.e., making sure bills are paid, love life, is the car in need of maintenance, and those types of daily stresses.
Noone, not even the neurologists, can accurately predict who is going to be disabled from this and who is not.
For me, 13 years into this illness, things are seeming a bit more optimistic. My grandmother knows a woman, who is now well into her 80's, that is thriving and active with her life. There are positive stories out there. There are those that go through most of their lives without much disability.
13 years into this, a few ON flare ups, I can't complain really, I cannot complain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karilann
When you first find out you have MS, you are in shock as well as overwhelmed with fear.
It will take you at least of year to stop referring to yourself as "John Doe with MS" instead of just "John Doe".
Your mind will wander in and out of the clouds of "what ifs" and "what happens when".
And whatever you do>>>>avoid those people who want to tell you every horror story about MS. How their "Uncle had it and now he is just a head on a pillow!" or "how long before you will be in a wheelchair"?
Throw all that crap out the window. Your MS is YOUR MS and it will take a while for you to get a handle on what it is all about FOR YOU.
And keep in mind that other people don't really get MS until the actually GET MS. After all, did you?
Now with that being said....My symptoms started out sensory (numbness, tingling etc). I've had some pretty strong fatigue too. Some cognitive issues (but I hate to admit that). Bladder issues quite often too.
But my symptoms have remained mostly sensory since the beginning. My doc said that many people who start off sensory stay sensory. However; there are no guarantees.
Now let me tell you a story.......
I had a friend who spent his whole life in fear of Huntington's Chorea Disease. It ran in his family and is highly genetic. He was too frightened to get the genetic testing. He had a vasectomy so he would never pass it on. He spent his whole life taking drugs and drinking alcohol and living a very risky lifestyle. He was paranoid every time he got sick or had a twitch. Well after all the fear of the Huntington's (which he never came down with)....he got cancer.
Skywalker; allows yourself some time to come to grips with the diagnosis....
Take one day at a time.......
Pray and meditate.........
Talk to only supportive people...............
You've had a lot on your plate for a young person and getting all the stressors out of the way (financial, medical insurance etc) will really help.
I'm hoping soon your symptoms will start to abate and you can begin to heal. My first episode lasted so long that finally the docs put me on a 5 day steroid drip and that really helped. I was diagnosed in 02 and I go in and out of feeling like I have MS to forgetting that I have MS.
Hang in there...... |