[dmplaura]

I'm curious how folks lives have changed since being diagnosed. I know my own diagnosis was a huge wake up call for changes.

[Dejibo]

For the first few years my life declined. I went on meds, rested, did as I was told. I was a great patient. I took meds that made me sleepy, took meds that woke me up. Took meds that "controlled" my disease, and took meds that made me feel horrible. I kept taking those meds even tho my life was swirling the drain.

Then...I laid down my needles. I cleared out my diet. I had quit smoking long ago. I started walking. I plan on running. I plan on hiking. I plan on starting to live my life WITH MS. It will probably never leave me and always be a thorn in my side, but I am learning how to adjust to it being that monkey on my back.

I cant go jogging alone, I have to have someone with me because I go blind, but I am not going to stop now. I cant drive much anymore because of my vision, but I have a chauffer. I need to be super organized before I get to the grocery store because the bright lights, and noise and all the colors will freak me out, so I hang onto my large print list and hand ful of coupons.

I have decided to get up, get out and get on with it.

[Kitty]

Laura, I asked Chemar to make the edit in your poll and she did.

Like Dej, when I was first dx I did everything the doctors told me to do. I remember coming home from work at lunch once just because I had forgotten to do my shot of Copaxone that morning!

Lots has changed since 2005....the year I was dx. I've drastically changed the way I eat (mostly clean, whole, organic foods), only drink water, stopped the DMD's and religiously take my vitamins and supplements.

Everyone has to find their comfort zone with their treatment plan. I look at doctors in an entirely different light now. This was a huge wake up call for me, too. It showed me that we all have to be our own advocate and do what we feel is best for us.

[Snoopy]

Hi Laura

The biggest change for me was taking an active roll in exercise, I was 24 years old when diagnosed but exercise was not part of my daily life...it wasn't even close to the top of my list

My neuro told me the best thing I could do is walk, I do that and more. I feel exercise, more than anything, has made a difference for me.

About 8 years ago I got into vitamins/supplements. I can't say any of them have made a difference with the MS but after stopping all vitamins and supplements for several months I found I "feel" better on them than off.

[dmplaura]

Thanks for the replies so far, and huge thank you Kitty and Chemar for fixing my poll options.

Originally Posted by Snoopy

[SIZE=3]The biggest change for me was taking an active roll in exercise, I was 24 years old when diagnosed but exercise was not part of my daily life...it wasn't even close to the top of my list. My neuro told me the best thing I could do is walk, I do that and more. I feel exercise, more than anything, has made a difference for me.

This is what I'm finding as well, and much like you, exercise wasn't anywhere on my radar, what so ever. I grew up hating sports (save for hockey - the Canadian in me!) and avoided gym classes whenever possible. At 20, walking 3 blocks was like walking a marathon. Unthinkable.

I had to 'work up' to walking gradually, but now I'm hooked and won't stop. I've recently changed my walking too. Now I walk before work in the AM (20 to 30 min). Helps to clear my mind, de-stress and wake up first thing. I can let my hair air dry as well. Great way to start my day!

Edit: "My lifestyle has changed. I take prescribed medications. I've not made lifestyle changes otherwise." <-- this was Laura at diagnosis, completely. It took about 5-6 months to consider the diet changes, 6-7 to quit smoking, and exercise was the last component I incorporated.

[Lynn]

I have to say that although I have given up smoking I haven't changed my lifestyle all that much. I have always had a fairly healthy diet. My lifestyle changes are not so much for the best I don't exercise anywhere near as much as I used to before MS. When I get fatigued, my head fills with cotton wool, I 'list' to the left, my feet drag and I panic - even tho Tysabri has helped me a lot.

It is nearly ten years for me now - and I don't really remember being any other way than I am now. I know I used to go to the gym five times a week, I know that I used to dance all night, work all day and be active and healthy - I just don't remember what it felt like.

What I have now is my perception of normal (for me anyway).

[mochagirl13]

I changed before my dx. It was these changes that sent me to a doc. Before MS, I only took vitamins and exercised almost everyday. I swam, biked, did step aerobics, pilates and lifted weights. Now I am exhausted at the drop of a dime. I can't remember the last time I wore heels or had a cocktail or exercised. I can't stand needles but I take my rebif as directed. It hasn't even been 2 years since dx but it feels like a lifetime. MS has severely impacted my life. I am not the same person I used to be.

[AynaDee]

Good and bad has happened since I was diagnosed at 21 in 2009.

How bout we start with the bad... and end with the good

BAD- I had to quit my job as a server in a fine dining restaurant where I would work 4-6 hours and walk out with $200 CASH.
- I can't work 40 hours anymore, shoot I can't even work 20.
- I had to become left handed (somewhat a good thing because NOW I am ambidextrous )
- I developed acne
- I went from a size 7 to a size 11 pretty much over night.
- I drop, I fall, I get angry
- I can't pay my way through life anymore and that bothers me.

GOOD- I am not pessimistic anymore, and let me tell you I was Miss Negative Nancy MY WHOLE LIFE.
- My patience has improved (kinda have no choice but to just wait stuff out nowadays)
- I am my own advocate when it comes to my health (still getting better at that, lol)
- I know when to stop
- I listen very closely to my body at all times.
- I only work two days a week which is bad but if my body says it's ok I pick up whatever shifts I can. (doesn't happen to often)
- I try things out and keep what's working and toss out what is not (coughmyDMDcough)
- I try not to stress.
- I don't drink alcohol anymore, haven't since '09.
-I WILL be changing my diet to all healthy, it's just taking time and adjusting.
-I found you guys!!!!

[SallyC]

My lifestyle has changed in soooo many ways and yet, I try hard to keep it as normal as possible.

We all change as we grow older and just double that, with MS along for the ride. I have made changes as I have moved along, so to speak...just small steps, no big changes, all at once.

One day at a time changes are better with MS, since, usually, it progresses, slowly, as well. If you make big changes before you are really ready, physically and psychologically, you will most likely fall into a hole of depression. *KISS*

[Aarcyn]

My lifestyle has changed dramatically. I exercised, hiked and played tennis. I baked and cooked. I was very social.

Physically, I have had to adjust to using a rollator and an electric wheelchair when I am out.

Depression and moving forward changed my friendships. No one's fault, I just cannot join in and some friends were friends because of tennis or hiking, etc.

It is what it is and I have made the changes I needed to give myself a quality of life. No one can do that but me.

The dark side is always there, I just choose the light side 90% of the time.