As we All Know MS Sucks.

[Portia]

Handicap permit-heat

Kim-Mastro, and anyone else who thinks they can't get a permit because their walking is too good for state requirements.

Ask your neuro if they will fill out the form. If you can walk that specified distance, but it wipes you out in the heat and you then have to rest before you can function, or if it causes your vision to get blurry or causes other symptoms to worsen, then it should be approved.

And not only that, but I know most of us have good days and bad days. Sometimes I can walk a mile (if it's less than 80 degrees out), and sometimes I can barely make it from my garage to my back door.

[KateA2]

Oh yes

I had temporary permits for 2 years, then realized I better just get The Blue and get over it. I have pain, fatigue and balance issues. I may be A-OK when I park in the morning at work. But by 5 p.m. I am usually wiped out, and if it is hot outside, I am really happy to be closely parked. It is a useful tool for making it through the day/conserving energy. Don't feel like it is giving in...it is taking responsibility to stay active.

[DonnaD]

I never heard of baclofen - What can it do for me? I take ampyra and I think it really helps - No miracles, but it helps. I don't live in America so it's different with the parking permit. Years ago I asked the secretary in the MS center where to call for a parking permit. The social worker (who didn't know me), over heard and came over to me and told me not to ask for one cause they'll end up taking away my license!! She was so wrong! Maybe it was her first day of work . It was always hard for me without one especially in the heat.

So a few years ago I was getting steroids and sitting around with other MS patients and they were talking about parking permits. They were surprised that I didn't have one. So I decided to apply for one. I knew they would call me in for a test to see if I really needed one. So I wrote a letter to whatever department gives them and told them that I would be happy to come in for a test but if I have to sit in the air conditioned waiting room for half an hour They may not think I need one. I said the only fair test is if they go out for a walk in the heat for 10 minutes with me. My permit came within a week!! Like - get rid of this crazy lady . No test for me .

My permit is just a little card (like credit card) that I put in my window when I want to use it. Besides handicapped spots I'm allowed to park anyplace that doesn't block traffic. It also saves me a lot of money. I don't have to pay any city parking. I don't pay parking at the hospital or airport. My husband bullies our way into all sorts of places that have minimal VIP parking (it really is hard for me to walk any distance). I also don't pay for yearly car registration ($250). When I got my permit I wrote a letter to the DMV and explained how I was really entitled to the car registration discount 10 years ago (sent them hospital records) and a social worker misinformed me. I told them that they can't pay me back the 10 years of "suffering" but they can refund me the 10 years of car registration. And they did!! Sort of sent me a letter that said "here's your money, don't contact us again " .

Now I don't drive but it's really very inconvenient to be dropped off when my husband or kids go to park. I find it very helpful at the supermarket that I don't have to "run" all across the parking lot dodging cars to get to my car.

You never have to feel guilty using it. The Dr or DMV or department of health (whoever does it) determine that you need it. It's not for another driver to judge. It really makes my day more manageable (you should see some of the letters I wrote about how hard my life is). I really needed it but my letters were a little dramatic .

[lukeduke]

Well I did go and get the Handicapped Placard. Just the one that I hang from the rear view mirror. I do not use it all the time, but it is nice if I go somewhere like Wal-Mart and there are no parking spaces in the front half of the parking lot. I have the baclofen. I take it at night before I brush my teeth and go to bed. I do not know if it is doing anything for the restless legs that I thought it was for. I do sleep better at night. The only real problem(not for me) is that I sleep so hard that I do not hear the baby in the night so it does not wake me up. My poor wife. She gets up with the baby to change/feed her. I wish I could wake up to get the baby. I am thankful that my wife is willing to do that for me though.

[Ga dancer]

Have the placard, use it when having to walk distances, especially in the heat, and also when the walkways are uneven or have to walk on uneven turf. I have a brace on my left ankle because of a lost motor nerve, but uneven anything throws me off-balance. I was instructed to get a walker with a seat because of multiple falls and a few broken bones and several blows to the head, but I really hate the thing.

I was taking Baclofen and it is a great drug; however, because of cognitive difficulties and a neuropsych evaluation because I just could not remember my words, he told me that Baclofen has long-term cognitive effects. Muscle cramps hurt, in my legs and hands especially, but I have been off Baclofen because I am stupid enough. I lost my job, my pension, and my abilities to carry on a conversation whether I take the drugs or not.

My last MRI, and I really mean that it will be my last, showed volume loss advanced for age. No surprise to me, but of all the things I have lost I miss my mind the most.

I had used Shepherd Center also, was not my original diagnosis of MS but when I lost my job and my health insurance, went to the VA. Miraculously, there is a MS specialist there and I like him and so now only have the VA.