[SallyC]

Welcome Shelia, so nice to have you join us.

[NeuroNixed Craig]

Hi Shiela,

"WELCOME" TO NEUROTALK!

That's really all I have to say without being stupidly redundant and repeating what everyone else has already addressed.

[mochagirl13]

Originally Posted by EddieF

Welcome Sheila. Use the autoinjector? I used ibuprofen or benadryl to sleep. As of now i'm after script sleep aid due to my current round of steroids.

I use the autoinjector. If it wasn't for that, I know I couldn't inject myself. Pushing the button is what my nightmares are made of. I take 2 ibuprofen before the injection and then I lay in bed and pray for sleep.

[NurseNancy]

hi sheila and welcome to NT,

i had a presenting gait problem and that's progressed into a balance issue for me. i need to use a cane and find it's my new "3rd" hand. using any aids is really a plus because it gives you more freedom to move safely.

i'm a nurse and a needle weenie too. i'm great at giving, but to stick myself, well, i had to get used to it. it does start to become routine after a while. i'm on copaxone and sometimes use the autoinjector for hard to reach spots.

sleep is a real issue for me too. there are many meds to treat MS sx's (symptoms). sometimes you need to try different meds to see which works best for you. please tell your dr the med you're on doesn't seem to be working and see if he'll change to something else.

glad you found us. hope to hear more of your posts.

[doydie]

Welcome to NT!!!!!! When I was first diagnosed I went to a support meeting. I thought it was the correct thing that to do, the thing that everyone did! I was young, just 47, an RN, busy Mom and I didn't like what life had given me. But I was not ready at all for a support group meeting. I saw people who had all differnt forms and stages of MS. I really remember this very vibrant looking woman who had to be fed by her husband. So many people were either using canes, manual or power chairs. I almost ran out of the room! But like you, I can't run anymore!!!! I just an't ready to see that some people have those problems and that I to might have those problems. I just didn't understand how a person could still be a 'person' and have all that wrong with them.

Then I found Brain talk which eventually many of the ones from brain talk are here at neuro talk. This is my support group. A long time ago we had groups that would form and meet for a weekend. I went to one of these. There were several people that were using manual or power chairs but it was OK. I knew them as people by then. I saw that the unkwon faces I talked to all the time on the internet and had grwon to know and love and see worth in were also in a wheel chair. But it didn't amtter then. I already knew them as some one worth knowing. But it was to much at first for me to see these unknown people who shared my illness in situations I could not handle at the time.

So is a support group right for you? Onlly you can tell that. The organizations are wonderful. I get all sorts of monthly newsletters, we have weekend getaways, educational meetings (drug companies like to spend a lot of money to encourage people to buy their product. They have wonderful meals!)

If you do join a support group don't forget us and stay here with us as well.

[jprinz99]

Welcome to the group I won't repeat what the thers have said. My balance and clumsyness did not ever really get better, I just got a bit better at adapting and expecting it. I also finally accepted that (for me) AFO's and crutches made life better - and I spent considerably les time on my butt creating a scene in WalMart/work/restaurants

I now use a wheelchair for distance as I also cannot go far on my sticks, but again everyone is different. My biggest hurdles at accepting new issues were/are my ego.

For me a support group was too overwhleming, but here I have support from folks who have become friends. I just don't have t go to some location every 3rd Tuesday so I can visit in my pjs (even if it is one of those bad days where I am not dressed at noontime)

Jane

[doydie]

I do miss the good food here at my computer. I'm sitting here eating Milk Duds if any one wants some!

[Judy2]

Hi Sheila and welcome to NT!! Yes, gait was a problem for me right from the get-go. My balance center in my brain was damaged early on according to my neuro. I'm now in a powerchair, but have been living with this 'thing' for thirty-four years. Hope to see you around.

[mochagirl13]

Originally Posted by Judy

Hi Sheila and welcome to NT!! Yes, gait was a problem for me right from the get-go. My balance center in my brain was damaged early on according to my neuro. I'm now in a powerchair, but have been living with this 'thing' for thirty-four years. Hope to see you around.

I'll probably be around for as long as I have my wits. My imbalance is what sent me to the doc. When she saw me walking and hugging the wall she referred me to a neuro. Most people look at me and since I don't have a cane or anything they think nothing is wrong me. You'll see me around the web.