I have yet to understand why we have to accept this or even what acceptance is. Why do so many put so much into acceptance. I look at it this way - The neuro states I have MS. The MRI backs him up. Ok - treat me! Give me meds to make my sx better; give me meds to try to stop this from getting worse or try your best. That is all I have to do.

I don't look at more progressive boards. I don't need to hear it. Not now and I hope never. Treatments are getting better. Will they be in time for me? My fear is not, but I try not to go there. What if I am wrong and they find a cure or a really good drug for me --- all I will have done is scare myself, and worried my self more, if I look at where this crap could have taken me.

I know from general talk, the net, my neuro... I may end up in a w/c. While I am ok in this area now I may later not be. I needed one with my 1st exacerbation and did not have one. Yesterday I called and put it into motion to get one while I have ins to cover it. That is just good planning imo. Not acceptance. When I get the final ins ok, it will be delivered and not unboxed. If the time comes when I need it, I will call and get someone here to unbox, teach me...

While I try to make intelligent decisions; I follow the last piece of advice my mother gave me. I was am and was in a bad child custody situation. In 2006, I gave up almost all 2007 vac rights to my child so I could have her in 2006. Mother said "worry about next Christmas... when it gets here. Things may change." They did and I had more than my rights in 2007.

This decision was unsure and so is MS. I will not worry about it till it gets here. Most others will disagree, but this is my right, and how I feel.

Sometimes I wish I could do denial. Seems I prefer/need to be hit in the face with all the what-ifs and only then can I rest a bit.

What is so great about NT, is that we get to hear so many different perspectives. We are all as different with the ms, and we all respond in a variety of ways. It's our coping skills. We all do what we need to in order to survive the horrible card we have been dealt.

I'm a little different than you. I like to know all the possibilities, because I hate surprises. So I do try to educate myself to some degree, without going overboard. But I am able to do that without letting it worry me a great deal. I am somewhat of a realist. Oh sure, I have my moments when it all gets to me.... especially during an flair up. But mostly, I just deal with the moment, but be aware of the possibilities.

I think your way is right for you. That is what is so great about these boards. We can learn from one another. I'm really just thinking out loud. You just made me think how we all really do cope in such different ways.

I don't know if I'm in denial or I just ignore it...

I went to a neuro last week - first time in 5 years. The trip wasn't for MS - I'm having nerve pain in my leg. I had to tell him I have MS and, to avoid a hassle with him, I took radiologist's reports from 1989 and 2003 that said MS. He had me do a few things (walk, stand on 1 foot, jump, etc) and said for someone that's had MS for 20 years I'm doing pretty good. I told him I just went into an exacerbation. I think I shook him up.

He told me it might go progressive some day. Duh... The nerve pain in my leg? Well, might be due to MS. More testing next week.

Tom

Hi Tom,
I should know this but I'm guessing that since you aren't seeing a neuro you declined to do the DMDs?

I hope they figure out what is bothering your leg.

I have a friend who isn't interested in learning about MS and I think that is unfortunate. She thinks a cure is just around the corner, that Beta will work wonders, they will come up with an oral med (I could give a rip, I'd just like one that works better) and that she may not even have MS after all.

My biggest issue with denial is that I worry it will stop people from preparing for the what-ifs. For example the financial aspects, housing accomodations and finally the prospect of long term care, that might need to be made in the future. It would seem to me that considering these issues while you feel good and can make adjustments easily would be prudent. Course I'm the one that immediately after diagnosis went back to college for a degree that would offer me job flexibility for when/if the time should come.

No DMD's. We came to our own conclusions back in the early 90's during the trials.

Tom