Hi everyone --
I am a 41 year old, self-employed, happily married mother of a six year old, and I had an out-of-the-blue diagnosis of MS two weeks ago. It was ON caught by my optometrist that started it all. It took 10 days jammed with many scary appointments to get a diagnosis after that. Sure I had symptoms (brief fatigue episodes this past year, mostly), but this was my real first flare up (numbness up my legs, a headache and vision problems and outrageous fatigue, distractedness, depression -- it has all lasted over a month now).
First, after surfing here for a while, I want to thank all of you for what you do. It has helped more than you know. Second, I don't want to diminish the pain and frustration for those in "limbo" who are struggling with getting the attention and diagnosis they need. I can't imagine. I am grateful for the care I have gotten so far, and don't take it for granted. It seems bizarre, and a little untrustworthy (getting a second opinion with an MS specialist next week), that I can be diagnosed so fast when others can't.
I have one big question, about fatigue. Do you find it better to try to fight through the fatigue or give in to it? Can you fight through it? I can't tell if I am making myself worse by trying to pretend the fatigue isn't there, but I think I am. How do people get through a work day? I think it takes me longer to recover when I finally do let myself collapse, but I can't tell. On the other hand, when I just give in (i.e. spend the entire weekend in bed ), it feels so depressing -- like I am letting this monster take over. That can't be good. I am wondering if giving in to fatigue in short bursts can be a good strategy to making the fatigue end more quickly.
I appreciate whatever insights you all might have. Thank you all for your wisdom and generosity!
I am a 41 year old, self-employed, happily married mother of a six year old, and I had an out-of-the-blue diagnosis of MS two weeks ago. It was ON caught by my optometrist that started it all. It took 10 days jammed with many scary appointments to get a diagnosis after that. Sure I had symptoms (brief fatigue episodes this past year, mostly), but this was my real first flare up (numbness up my legs, a headache and vision problems and outrageous fatigue, distractedness, depression -- it has all lasted over a month now).
First, after surfing here for a while, I want to thank all of you for what you do. It has helped more than you know. Second, I don't want to diminish the pain and frustration for those in "limbo" who are struggling with getting the attention and diagnosis they need. I can't imagine. I am grateful for the care I have gotten so far, and don't take it for granted. It seems bizarre, and a little untrustworthy (getting a second opinion with an MS specialist next week), that I can be diagnosed so fast when others can't.
I have one big question, about fatigue. Do you find it better to try to fight through the fatigue or give in to it? Can you fight through it? I can't tell if I am making myself worse by trying to pretend the fatigue isn't there, but I think I am. How do people get through a work day? I think it takes me longer to recover when I finally do let myself collapse, but I can't tell. On the other hand, when I just give in (i.e. spend the entire weekend in bed ), it feels so depressing -- like I am letting this monster take over. That can't be good. I am wondering if giving in to fatigue in short bursts can be a good strategy to making the fatigue end more quickly.
I appreciate whatever insights you all might have. Thank you all for your wisdom and generosity!
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