Hi Buster and welcome to NT!

You're among friends and people who understand completely what you're saying. I had so many questions and really just needed to hear from people who were in the same boat I was in. It's so reassuring to hear "I know exactly what you mean". And you'll get that here.

Having a spouse or close friend who is supportive is also a wonderful thing. I'm glad your wife is there for you.

I hope to see you around the forum more often.

Good replies from the others. Nowt to add from me but a Welcome.

welcome, i am also new to NT. I have been having systmpoms for about 4 years now and just got diagnosed in 12-09. I don't worry much about my next attack because i swear i have been having an attack for about 3 months now non stop. Or at least that is how it feels. That is awesome that you have a supportive wife. But don't always worry about your next attack just live life to the fullest and if it happens it happens, there is nothing that worrying about it will do.

Hi Buster! Welcome to NT!

All our paths are different on this crazy road called MS, but sometimes we have similar things going on. I haven't had an attack in about 3 years, but I do have a lot of up and down symptoms. I've gotten semi-good at knowing what makes some of them worse. Some just seem to reappear for no apparent reason (I call that my "MS grab bag". I'm RRMS, but only one symptom almost fully remitted.)

Consider doing a symptom journal. I know some stuff is weather related - extremely cold, hot, or humid conditions causes some stuff for me to go wonky. Pushing too hard, too much stress, and fevers do a number on other symptoms. Generally a flare is a new symptom or a worsening of symptoms that lasts 24 hours. Since I'm a very stubborn person and have a tendancy to push too hard sometimes, if an old symptom worsens - I wait two days to see if it improves.

Take care of yourself!

Many thanks everyone. It's great to almost feel normal (whatever normal is!!) knowing that other people are going through or have been through a similar state of mind. I think for me, I have never really come to terms with the original diagnosis - maybe I'm in denial or just afraid. My counsellor is really helping with that. I just keeping trying to tell myself every day that I am one of the lucky ones - another day and no major weirdness going on. The only major change in my life since the diagnosis is that I had to give up playing hockey - not a huge deal in the whole scheme of things but, as the counsellor pointed out, it was MS not me that made the decision to quit, not me. I think I am slowly (very slowly) coming to terms with things - I just want to thank everyone again for the supportive messages.

Buster I lived in denial for many, many, years. To me it was a safe place to be. There are stages of grief we all must go though. We all have losses but it is unwise to count them. That can get to us.

I miss dancing, hey we all have something that bothers us the most. We have to count the good times, the things we can still do. That is the most important advice, forget the negative things. Life brings enough stress to us, why add to it.

Good luck, and keep posting, keep us updated and ask questions. It is still all very new to you.