Wat is to become of me?

[Ant1981]

I have been dx for one year next week, I’m relapse free since my terrible dx hospitalization and recovered very well. I’m fully active and watching what I eat the best I can. I’m in school for a career chg and how long can I expect to remain this healthy? I excersize, run/weightlift. And hoping I can get into my new career without much trouble in 3-4 years after school is done. I’m on tecfidera and it seems to be working for me.

So theres a lot of positives there and I want to start a family and have a rewarding career. Is this something that is totally a reality I can hope for?

[502E79]

Hopefully you will do the best you can regardless of circumstances. Same anyone reading this can do.

[Mamabug]

Are you on a DMD (disease-modifying drug)? That can help reduce the frequency of flares, reduce the severity of flares, and delay progression.

My MS Specialist tells me that exercise is a really good way to delay progression of the disease. She especially recommends cardio for delaying progress, but says it is also good to maintain strength.

Some people have had good success in not progressing by going on one of the MS diets. There are various diets -- and they are not all somewhat different from each other. You can learn more about them by googling.

• Matt Embry promotes one; he has a video out on Amazon.
• Terry Wahls promotes a diet that she claims helps her. She has a YouTube channel.
• Other diets include: McDougalls, Swank Diet, Jelinek, etc.
• My functional medicine doctor recommends no wheat, no dairy, no added sugar (honey, 100% real maple syrup, fruits, etc are OK). Avoid cane sugars.

Some people take supplements, and / or use essential oils.
My functional medicine doctor also recommends reducing toxins in my household.

I wish I'd known some of these strategies and explored them earlier in my illness. Traditional MS doctors don't always believe that some of these strategies make a difference. But, I have tended, over the last few years, to gravitate to a combination of traditional medicine and CAM's (complementary and alternative medicine).

A positive outlook in life can also contribute, in a huge way, to your continued health. Stress and anxiety are well-known to trogger strokes and heart attacks, but they also play a big role in all kinds of other health issues, including MS. Implement such stress-reducing and stress-management techniques in your life, such as meditation, prayer (even if you aren't religious, the Serenity Prayer, to a higher power), listening to music, spending quality time with family, nurturing relationships with "right tribe" friends (friends who share your values and interests), saying "no" to others when their requests would add too much stress or busy-ness in your life, etc.

[hsmaldo]

So theres a lot of positives there and I want to start a family and have a rewarding career. Is this something that is totally a reality I can hope for?

YES!!!

The fact that you started on a DMD is a fantastic first step. And while everyone is different and MS doesn't affect any one person the exact same, it is not necessarily an end to your hopes and dreams for the future! It may limit them (you can't join the military now), but most jobs can make accommodations.

I would encourage you to take a realistic look at the type of career you are hoping to change to though. Is it one that is physically demanding? Can accommodations be made, if necessary further down the road?

While no one can say how long you'll be healthy for, you are certainly taking the right steps to help your body be healthy overall.

I'm also on Tecfidera, I'm 5 years out from my diagnosis and have had no relapses since, I take care of my family, I work full-time, I'm getting promoted and I just started working a side job as a photographer, I still play volleyball and do the things that I want to do!

So, again, yes, I believe that it's totally something that you can hope for and achieve!!

[Ant1981]

Promising outlook

YES!!!

The fact that you started on a DMD is a fantastic first step. And while everyone is different and MS doesn't affect any one person the exact same, it is not necessarily an end to your hopes and dreams for the future! It may limit them (you can't join the military now), but most jobs can make accommodations.

I would encourage you to take a realistic look at the type of career you are hoping to change to though. Is it one that is physically demanding? Can accommodations be made, if necessary further down the road?

While no one can say how long you'll be healthy for, you are certainly taking the right steps to help your body be healthy overall.

I'm also on Tecfidera, I'm 5 years out from my diagnosis and have had no relapses since, I take care of my family, I work full-time, I'm getting promoted and I just started working a side job as a photographer, I still play volleyball and do the things that I want to do!

So, again, yes, I believe that it's totally something that you can hope for and achieve!!

That’s great to read... seems a lot of females are doing very good, being a 37 year old male newly dx and on tecfidera I think I will find the same success... I don’t know why I think males have a more progressive course, but I may be wrong. A lot of males do well too, guess it depends on the individual course of the disease. My recovery was very good and it seems tecfidera is doing it’s job for me too.

Thx for the input, it’s very positive.

[lindaincolorado]

Hi Ant,
I was dx in 1988...13 1/2 years no sx-I did healing prayer and meditation. Got cocky, stopped doing what worked and I started sx. 2005 I needed a scooter as my R leg was dragging. 2006 I started Tysabri, it halted progression.. my R leg still drags. I have a very good QOL, have always exercised and eaten fairly healthy. I am 69 years of age..always said (and say) I may have ms, it doesn't have me-so a positive attitude .

Wishing you my best
Linda

[MyGirlsMom]

Ant, I have two male friends with MS and both are doing quite well...of course they have their issues like us all and some that others can’t see.

Each were diagnosed over 20 years ago....one gentleman is in his late 40s but was dx in college is his early 20s....he was attending school an athlete on full scholarship. He now has a great professional job, married with a couple kids. Doing quite well.

The other friend is in mid 50s and was probably dx in his mid 30s or so. He has a bit of trouble walking but doesn’t use a cane. A plus for him is he has no leg pain. (I wish that was my situation.). He and his wife are empty nesters and they travel the world.

Overall, I think there is a lot to be hopeful for. Your posts are fantastic and you have a great positive attitude! So glad you are a part of this group!!

Best - MGM

[pennstater]

You have alot of positives in your favor. You recovered pretty well from your flare, started on a DMT early in disease course, and have managed a year without a second flare. These are all positives in your prognosis.

You also are taking great steps to stay healthy, eating well and exercising. If you aren't already, I would look into good stress reduction techniques. We can never eliminate stress, but how you deal with it can play a role in health.

I met and married my husband after my diagnosis. I wasn't fortunate to have kids, not MS related, but have a full life with family and friends.

It is normal to wonder about the future. It makes us all appreciate the present. You are taking steps to prepare career wise. As they say, pepare for the worst, but expect the best! Stay optimistic.