March is MS Awareness month.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in September of 2013. It was a really scary and weird set of circumstances that led me to the ER and then to admission into the hospital that Fall, and ultimately to a diagnosis.
For me, the flare up that time was tingling and numb feet and legs. I could not walk straight and ended up in the hospital. Probably I was admitted so that they could take care of the work-up and get a neurologist to look at my case and talk to me.
After diagnosis, I researched and learned all about the disease. In MS, the myelin sheath, which is a protective layer around nerve cells, begins to disintegrate. The absence of this protection causes nerves to act up. This can happen to nerves anywhere in your body, which is why there are so many different symptoms and why it affects each person differently.
I figured out through my research that a few unexplained weird times in my life were probably other flare ups that had happened. Like the few months that I had really weird things happening with my vision and my eyes. I thought it was a weird side effect of some medicine I took. It actually was Optic Neuritis, which might have been triggered by taking that medicine.
Having MS can be scary. You never know what tomorrow will bring. For me, the idea that my cognitive functions might be affected at some point is the scariest. However, I was able to start a medication right away that seems to be working to keep my disease under control.
I have symptoms like fatigue, heat intolerance, digestive issues, sometimes mood swings, sometimes tingling or pain in different parts of my body, but I am usually free from relapses that impede my daily functions. For this I am thankful.
This post is a part of the 14th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. After a few years away, I am challenging myself to write every day in March this year, along with an amazing community of other bloggers. You can find our writing linked up on the Two Writing Teachers blog.
Such a weird and scary disease. I’m glad that you have found medication that keeps it under control.
Having a chronic illness is frustrating. Thank goodness you have a diagnosis and are able to navigate life with this knowledge. It sounds like you are able to lead a daily life without flare ups – that is fabulous! (If you haven’t read about the Spoon Theory, I highly recommend it. It is so validating.)
I just looked up Spoon Theory. Yes! Thanks for telling me about that.
Wow, I have learned so much from this post. Thank you for sharing your personal story and raising awareness.
Thank you for sharing how this happened to you and your diagnosis and subsequent medication and ongoing symptoms. You are very brave to be able to take it in your stride on a daily basis.
I know, from friends who have it, that MS is a tough disease. I wasn’t aware of some of the things you shared so thank you for sharing your journey + information with us. You are making us aware, which is certainly the purpose of MS Awareness Month!