Hello MS World
I didn't think I would ever write here - I have come to the website so many times for advice and direction, so thank you so much for being members and speaking out about Multiple Sclerosis. It is certainly a disease of the individual - so many nuances, but it is comforting to know that knowledge as power is a common theme for us all.
I was diagnosed Aug 1 2012 - the day I accepted an offer for a great position with a multi-million dollar consulting firm. I was so confused, had so many symptoms and I didn't know how to manage any of it. Even with the doctors, the family, the non profit groups - it was too difficult to face. I can hardly work out anymore, and my body feels like its been hit by a truck every day. Anyone who knows me will tell you that up until November 2013 when I finally quit working, I had felt like crap. (three jobs in one year fighting the stress and fatigue made me feel like a failure) Medications, fatigue, chronic pain, co-morbid conditions due to MS and obesity... I was drowning in depression and could not envision a life with - this.
But in November, after just finally deciding to take a break, I can finally say that life has taken a positive turn. I got rid of the STRESS - an MS unquantifiable killer.
I finally caught up on sleep (insomnia set in after my diagnosis so it was nice to get some shut eye). I finally started to contact my friends, albeit only a few are confident enough to stay my friends after being diagnosed...
I guess the rest are scared, or don't know what to say... and my biggest win was throwing out 3/4 of the medications to get rid of side effects that simply exacerbated my problem! I only take an anti-depressant, Tecfidera, and a couple vitamins. I stay 'herbal' when dealing with my chronic pain, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia... both conditions I was diagnosed with the first year of having RR-MS.
Lesions formed in my brain when I was 19 years old.
Getting diagnosed when I was 27 did not seem fair - so much time wasted NOT being treated. Copaxone sucked, and Tecfidera took some time getting used to, but thank God for these tiny blue pills. 
I am so lucky to be guarding myself from a progression that would slow me down more than MS already has.
I grew up a fighter, a leader - a friend. I worked 100 miles a minute, and when there was a problem, I fixed it. Weight problems? Surgery. Sad and confused? Meds and therapy. An answer for anything.
But MS to me - there was no answer to this problem. Only support. I volunteer with the MS Society to raise funding for research that can help to 'solve' the problem, but it feels like I am swimming against a current.
So in light of making an effort to control as much as I can about my 'new' life - I promised myself that 2014 would be a change for me - a positive overgrowth of change! Whether this change comes in employment, in my personal life, or in health, I am still unsure. It is much easier to accept my MS now that I 'feel' better, and with that acceptance returns my drive to be great. Again.
I wish those of you who have MS to find peace and health with your disease, and for those of you attached to someone with MS, I pray for your understanding, your love, and thank you for your support.
I am 28 and I have MS. But damn, I am - and will be - so much more than - this.
I was diagnosed Aug 1 2012 - the day I accepted an offer for a great position with a multi-million dollar consulting firm. I was so confused, had so many symptoms and I didn't know how to manage any of it. Even with the doctors, the family, the non profit groups - it was too difficult to face. I can hardly work out anymore, and my body feels like its been hit by a truck every day. Anyone who knows me will tell you that up until November 2013 when I finally quit working, I had felt like crap. (three jobs in one year fighting the stress and fatigue made me feel like a failure) Medications, fatigue, chronic pain, co-morbid conditions due to MS and obesity... I was drowning in depression and could not envision a life with - this.
But in November, after just finally deciding to take a break, I can finally say that life has taken a positive turn. I got rid of the STRESS - an MS unquantifiable killer.
I finally caught up on sleep (insomnia set in after my diagnosis so it was nice to get some shut eye). I finally started to contact my friends, albeit only a few are confident enough to stay my friends after being diagnosed... I guess the rest are scared, or don't know what to say... and my biggest win was throwing out 3/4 of the medications to get rid of side effects that simply exacerbated my problem! I only take an anti-depressant, Tecfidera, and a couple vitamins. I stay 'herbal' when dealing with my chronic pain, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia... both conditions I was diagnosed with the first year of having RR-MS.
Lesions formed in my brain when I was 19 years old.
Getting diagnosed when I was 27 did not seem fair - so much time wasted NOT being treated. Copaxone sucked, and Tecfidera took some time getting used to, but thank God for these tiny blue pills. I am so lucky to be guarding myself from a progression that would slow me down more than MS already has.I grew up a fighter, a leader - a friend. I worked 100 miles a minute, and when there was a problem, I fixed it. Weight problems? Surgery. Sad and confused? Meds and therapy. An answer for anything.
But MS to me - there was no answer to this problem. Only support. I volunteer with the MS Society to raise funding for research that can help to 'solve' the problem, but it feels like I am swimming against a current.So in light of making an effort to control as much as I can about my 'new' life - I promised myself that 2014 would be a change for me - a positive overgrowth of change! Whether this change comes in employment, in my personal life, or in health, I am still unsure. It is much easier to accept my MS now that I 'feel' better, and with that acceptance returns my drive to be great. Again.
I wish those of you who have MS to find peace and health with your disease, and for those of you attached to someone with MS, I pray for your understanding, your love, and thank you for your support.
I am 28 and I have MS. But damn, I am - and will be - so much more than - this.
), you are facing new territory as a brave warrior!
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