Hello.
I am an MS'r of 5 years. And what a 5 years it's been!
The first year was the worst. The second year I did the Novantrone. Great stuff, but hard on the heart.
I advanced real quick into SPMS. My doctor said to me, boy oh boy, you don't waste time, you just jump right in, huh? No tow-dipping first?
I have a pretty good attitude about it all. It is what it is. God has the plan. And besides, what or whom would I fight? God, I think not. It's all about acceptance I believe.
My trip with MS has not been an easy one. I had vertigo for 5 months along with quad-vision. My left eye crossed in. Man what a sight that was. No pun intended. I have wet myself.....in the mall.....with my girlfriend.....we laugh and I wet more. Note to self--always have a sweater to tie around your waist. I have had the numbing everywhere. The trouble walking. Holding my coffee in the morning. What a site that is. Double fisted to sip my java. One of my friends thought it appropriate to give me a bib. How thoughful she was.
I make fun of myself and this disease all the time.
Never mind the checkbook. Can't do it. Yet another job I get out of. hehe No, really, my husband got tired of fixing all the overdrafts. Did you know you need to subtract the withdrawls and add the deposits. whoops No harm no foul, right?
I haven't always been this way. Only since I was picked to have MS.
I used to think I had it all. That I could do anything. That I was smart, and pretty and well liked. I worked hard at my job as a mom, wife and an employee. I had money, savings, retirement, new car, home, furniture. I was on top of the world, so I thought.
Then one day it all changed. And I changed with it. You know. I like where I am today and who I am.
Odd, no more new car, house needs some fixing, no more retirement or savings. Used it all up waiting on the social security. But you know. I have more now than I ever did.
I have trouble remembering things, and tend to make them up as I go. Just kidding (for the most part). Who ever said ad-libing was bad. It adds more spice and depth to the story. And we all like a good story. Right?
When plans are to be made, everyone seems to do it through my husband. I think it's funny. Yet another thing for me not to have to worry about.
I would love to talk with someone to share the trials and tribulations of this here MS thing that they keep telling me I have.
Talk to you soon,
Sheila

Hello and How Do You Do?
I am a new observer and find this community and the information here to be top drawer. Thanks so much for sharing. Well, I don't know if I have MS or not. I've seen a neurologist exactly once. I have some symtpoms that sure point in that direction and I have some nonspecific lesions on MRI - but doc thinks not MS. At least not so long as my symtpoms improve.
I am an experienced member of the back problems forum on the Healthboards. Through my 2 big back surgeries I relied on those good people for support, information, and advice. What a help they have been to me.
I am a scientist and I find knowing and researching calms my fears better than anything else. I would be happy to accept my docs opinion and move on except I still have symtpoms and I think going undiagnosed might entail risks.
I have a great friend and helpmate in my husband, Chris. I spend hours everyday walking with my 2 rescue dogs and the homeless dogs living at my neighbor's kennel. I love to swim and do crafts. I have been in PT for years and do my PT stretches faithfully even though I don't seem to get any better from them - at least I tell myself I'd be much worse off without them.
Pleased to meet you - suzyq

The reason I say especially Sheila is not to play favorites, but my name is Sheila too! (Not too many of us around, so we have to stick together.)
Well, we may have something else in common too. I say may, because Docs are not sure about my dx. I have a lot of sensory symptoms with no dx. Spinal tap was neg and only 2 lesions on brain. I insisted on a VEP responce test, I hope that tells us something. I have abnormal sensations all over body, controlled symptomatically by Gabapentin. I also have a slight tremor in calf and a slight internal tremor in trunk. No motor symptoms to speak of (yet). I am 53 years old, if dx'd, I guess it is called the late onset variety.

Nice to share, have lots of anxiety right now over all this uncertainty. Been going on for a year and a half. But, as someone else said.......if I have it, I have it......no giving it back! Trying to accept is the best thing to do.

welcome Karen, pull up a chair.

Hi. My name is Josi, and I have been gone for quite some time but would love to come back to the forum, and have missed everyone. I've had quite a bit going on, and my ms has gone through many changes since I was last here. Hopefully by being here I can learn more and help others. It feels good to be back.

Hi Josi and welcome back! Everyone is always welcome here so pull up a chair and get reacquainted with everyone.

Welcome back Josi..