Let's have some fun; stupid thing someone has said about dealing with MS

[Spydre]

If you quit eating aspartame your symptoms will go away. (I don't even eat it. ???)

A physical therapist, of all people, told me this when I was in PT for the fibromyalgia. She told me if I drank regular soda rather than diet (on this particular day I was drinking juice) your MS will be much easier to deal with.

[tlrosbach]

My sis told me that if I stop saying I am sick, pray more, and think positive I will get better. I told her that every time she says that I feel like punching her in the face. And that given my current situation I cannot guarantee that my arm won't get spastic and punch her. She told me she wouldn't say it again. Guess she believed me.

[twisterred]

A dear friend I was talking with was very surprised that MS can effect hearing.
I reminded him that MS is a neurological disease and therefore anything can be effected.

I don't blame him so much, I don't understand the nuances of other conditions.

His surprised reaction did make me pause and wonder what else he and others think we don't have to worry about.

[Lexie]

After having my first major relaspe in October and hospitalized for three days, off once a week for about five weeks (I had sick days) and then struggling to keep my head above water during the day, I had my yearly evaluation. Note I've been here 33 years - my job is black and white with computer reports if I have any errors, etc.
My perfect evaluation for 32 years (Dud who even qualifies for a perfect eval? NO one is perfect except Jesus Christ.)
I got a satisfactory on enthusiasm "BECAUSE" I just wasn't myself anymore. Getting old must be slowing you down. I did not even comment! No comment on being sick or anything. I just kept my mouth shut and signed the eval. No since in even trying to talk to people like this! Hope I can make my next two years - not because of the MS but because of the people I have to work with!

[lemstar]

Peoples responses to me:

1. Ohhhh, I had that when I was a kid. I spent a month in the hospital on antibiotics, and it went away.
2. You look great!
3. Call me if you feel up to it (upon finding out about diagnosis, and then avoiding me).
4. You need to be open to healing, and I can heal you. I had it, and rid my body of it.
5. Get rid of the amalgam fillings in your teeth.

[lemstar]

And one more (although there are so many), after a PT eval, the physical therapist wrote up the eval. Mind you, my symptoms are mostly sensory, a little weakness, and fatigue, but it has not yet affected my mobility (except for stamina). The PT had as my goal, "will walk to end of her driveway unassisted". She must be a great therapist becasue that very day, I did just that, and more. I also did it before I saw her though....

[rock1853]

I have brain

damage. What's your excuse. That's my favorite when questioned.

[Aqua10]

I've heard many of these too!

So glad to hear others vent, because I needed it. "But you look good," well, did you think I'd grow horns? Or do you just mean you're glad I'm not yet in a wheelchair?

My holistic-but-clueless cousins started trying to get me onto vitamin regimens to amp up my immune system. I had to explain that my immune system is the problem--I don't have cancer, I have MS, and I take meds to knock down the immune response. They didn't know what autoimmune meant.

Somebody else told me his spinal cord had been completely severed, quadriplegic, etc but he healed himself (because, I assume, he has superhuman powers that nobody else on Earth has). If I had MS, it was my own fault and I just wasn't trying to cure myself because I WANTED to have MS. Ditto my mother who died of cancer (she liked it, I guess) and everybody else who has a chronic illness. We were in a car--I told him he had to shut up or I'd smack him.

[twisterred]

And one more (although there are so many), after a PT eval, the physical therapist wrote up the eval. Mind you, my symptoms are mostly sensory, a little weakness, and fatigue, but it has not yet affected my mobility (except for stamina). The PT had as my goal, "will walk to end of her driveway unassisted". She must be a great therapist becasue that very day, I did just that, and more. I also did it before I saw her though....

So funny. Thanks for sharing!

[msfortuknit1]

Crazy Talk

I have had MS since 1999. I did not allow my partners family or him to know about it because of how they react to things. About 6 years into our relationship he was also diagnosed with MS. I told him repeatedly that I understood and he said there was no way that I could; so I dropped the news. After relaying the information to his mother she asked him "Well did she give it to you"?

[Pressednotcrushed]

I had one yesterday, the pain specialist after I told him about my new diagnosis of MS told me I should move to Arizona.

As far as I know the warmer climates are better for not developing MS but do nothing in particular to alleviate MS symptoms. I am new to MS but the 70ish days in Washington wipe me out, I cant imagine moving to a warmer climate now.

[babygirlamy]

Yeah my favorite one is "You look fine" or "I don't see anything wrong with you"

[Scooter24]

I was asked in the grocery store the other day if my walkaide was" one of those monitoring devices they put on you when you have been arrested and released on bail" I so badly wanted to say yes, I killed someone for asking me a stupid question !!

[mgoerke]

Finally looked at this thread and cracked up! My actual favorite funny moments comrade from when I first got dx and my neuro and the drug company propaganda were trying to tell me what a full life I could still have.

I think copaxone had a testimonial on their site aboutba Marathoner who climbed mt. Everest. My dr. Told me about her tri-athlete patient. My copaxone client advocate who went on it after her first flare 10 years ago and has never had another flare.

As I sat at my desk this afternoon...ok I actually had my head on my desk while trying to focus on a conference call I thought 'am I climbing mt. Everest yet?'

[Seasha]

I was asked in the grocery store the other day if my walkaide was" one of those monitoring devices they put on you when you have been arrested and released on bail" I so badly wanted to say yes, I killed someone for asking me a stupid question !!

Priceless, Scooter24!