Here's Granny, and having grown old with MS, I can tell you, it's both.. Your body just gets a little weaker with age and that of course adds to your MS sx.

LDN helps a lot with my MS symptoms, but does nothing to halt the aging process. Always treat your symptoms, because it's not always MS....and don't forget to smile..

When I was first dx I used to panic over every little symptom I'd have. I attributed everything to my MS. Now.....almost four years later....very little rattles me anymore. I figure it's going to be what it's going to be regardless of how I react to it. I just go with the flow.

Thanks to LDN I have few of the sx that I had when I was first dx. That stuff is a true sx reliever.

I think the problem is that I am just much more aware of my body -- too hyper-aware. For example, I may have numbness in my foot and freak out thinking oh boy, it's the MS, it's progressing, I'm getting worse, new symptom, holy cow, what do I do? panic, panic, panic. Then I realize well hey, I was sitting on my foot the wrong way on the couch for an hour and maybe that's why it's tingling.

I'm glad to know that over time less seems to rattle some of you. I know ultimately you have to learn to go with the flow and just "be" with the disease. I'm just resisting because maybe I'm still stinking mad I got this crappy disease!! And sometimes the fear just overwhelms me and I'd like to be able to take a break from it now and then. Maybe that also changes over time??

you hit it on the head Nat, its mind boggling and the more you think the harder it gets some times. yet to totally ignore isnt safe either.. so what do u do? try to find a happy medium between the two, and no its not simple wish it were. and in time you are right that numb foot may panic u today but in time u will say ok cool was just sitting wrong no worry instead of the other way, worry first then figure it out...its a learning illness, there are so many diff SX for all of us that there isn't a set pattern for the MSbs, and me thinks that makes it hard in itself, how do u know, its time consuming, its an ongoing work, and from what i have read from some of the ones with it a lot longer, i dont think it ever changes i do think it does become easier to decipher though, and that in turn makes it easier, like Anne said she has had it for 30+yrs and still wonders, think thats always there, just the intensity of the worry lessens or ease up, one day at a time friend its all u can do

Also 57, no fear, stuff happens. I read about the diaease and have a good idea of what to expect, something way out of the ordinary and I see the doc. My trips turn into falls.

question: MS, old age, or whatever?

I choose whatever. Since I am PPMS, there is really not much out there so I am learning to just let it go.

re: LDN. Bad news for me. I started losing my balance A LOT. It ended in a fall that broke my shoulder. Once I stopped, no more balance problems.

I do hope for cures, always open to trying new things. This old dog is happy to learn new tricks.

Glad to hear from someone else with PPMS. My symptoms (balance primarily) of "aging way too early" for my age/activity level, lead me to a neurologist, who diagnosed me with PPMS July 2008. My diagnosis has lead me to exercise more and to now use a heating mattress pad and socks to decrease significantly my nighttime muscle spasms (6 days after my dx, I sustained a T-10 fracture while standing to relieve a "charley horse"!) I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring (is anyone?) but I'm not putting off things 'til way in the future, nor am I being too stupid. I drink coffee (in case), keep my feet warm, stretch out my spasms in bed, remind myself I have a left foot, run in flats not heels, walk down the steps, add weights and time to my aerobics, downhill ski green & blue's not double blacks, smile, pray, am grateful, eat, sleep & take care of myself more.

Welcome Patttt. I like your story and I hope you stay awhile..