What is Multiple Sclerosis AKA MS? Neurological and Autoimmune descriptors, how it affects the CNS
What are the causes? unknown, is it a devastated action to the immune system, aggravated by accident and/or infection
Is it heritary? I have heard it isn't. But, also mothers/daug...
What is Multiple Sclerosis AKA MS? Neurological and Autoimmune descriptors, how it affects the CNS
What are the causes? unknown, is it a devastated action to the immune system, aggravated by accident and/or infection
Is it heritary? I have heard it isn't. But, also mothers/daughters..sisters..brothers will have MS
Will MS cause death? Many ask this question. Complications can cause death?
Is MS contagious? Many ask this question.
How is MS diagnosed? MRIs, Lumbar puncture, Evoked Potential...how do these tests detect MS. Also symptoms with test will dx MS.
Who gets MS? Anyone, but mostly white females living in northern regions. Myth of Men get it will become progress sooner.
Lack of Vitamin D possible linked to more frequent relapses, unknown if true.
Different types of MS. Benign, Relapse-Remit, Primary Progressive, Secondary Progressive. Most start with R R but it can usually lead to a progressive form, which the MS drugs do not treat.
What are the symptoms of MS? Many, Many symptoms that people don't understand. Many think just b/c a person with MS looks ok, that they are. Many think we with MS are lazy, complain for no reason, depressed/moody for no reason. Many don't understand the pain, balance issues, dizziness, blurred/double vision, numbness/tingling, sexual issues, and many other problems that affect the lives of people with MS. Heat Intolerance is a big issue.
How does MS affect the life of the patient and family? Affects so many aspects of life. Not being able to shower today b/c of fatigue/pain. Walking b/c our legs hurt and are too weak. Shopping/paying bills b/c we cannot work anymore. Not seeking med treatment b/c we lost our insurance and social security keeps denying us b/c of age and education. Losing a relationship b/c that people cannot deal with us anymore. Cannot remember things and we burn our food or flood the house. Not being able to drive b/c we can't see or can't use our leg to push the gas pedal. Oh and we get overexhausted b/c someone parked in the handi spot without needing it!
How is MS treated? Injections of Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif, known as the CRAB drugs. Lovely injections that cause flu like symptoms, chills, aching, site reactions, horrible headaches. We have to premed with Ibuprofen or even RX drug so we can tolerated the medication that will hopefully prevent progression. There are chemo drugs used. Tysabri and Rutaxan infusions that can cause the untreatable PML. Plasma exchange. The famous steroids used to calm our flares of MS exacerbations. Then we need muscle relaxers, pain medication, antidepressants, antianxiety, and sleep aids for all the MS symptoms. Oh and the fatigue meds such as provigil.
How many people have MS in the US? approximately 400,000 is the last number I have heard. Every day more and more find out they have MS. This is a scary diagnosis, b/c of the symptoms that led to the diagnosis, the uncertainty of how it will progress, very overwhelming.
Support is very important for ones with MS. Many times we feel very alone and our family and friends back away from us.
MS Society and how it helps those with MS. Finding physicians, equipment, support groups. There are also walks, bike rides, and other to support MS.
I am a 28 year-old white female, who was diagnosed with MS August 1, 2006 while travel nursing in Phoenix with my husband, two sons, and two cats. My first major symptom began end of May 2006. Went to bed fine one night and woke in the morning to find my entire left leg was numb. Two days later, still numb with the right leg becoming numb. I went to the ER and was hospitalized. I had MRI head and was diagnosed with complicated migraine. I was give pain/nausea meds but also a few doses of solumedrol. I did get better. June went alright. July came and I began having severe migraines, and my neuro gave me a few meds to knock it out. By the time August came I was severely fatigued, dizzy, losing balance, had the sqeezing around waist, numb waist down affecting both legs, blurred vision., fuzzy sensation on my face, and difficulty with my left arm. MRI this time showed several lesions. I used a wheelchair and then a walker for a few weeks.
September I tried to work again, but failed. My family and I moved back to Mississippi to live with my mother. By October I was hospitalized again and was using walker/wheelchair. I tried again to work in March, had problems with my legs still, but attempted to work. I had a nervous breakdown at the end of May and was hospitalized, and also had a MS flare at that time. August 2007 I tried to work again and did well for a while only needing oral steroids occasionally to manage some symptoms. I worked for 9 months before I had to quit April 2008 because my legs quit working. I filed for disability for the second time, and was denied 8 months later for age, education, and work history. I attempted to work again, but only lasted 4 weeks before I could not continue because of my legs, pain, and fatigue. I am on a walker full time, and has been since the end of June 2009. I am not able to stand, sit, walk for more than 20-45 minutes. Cannot drive for more than 20 miles on a good day. Pain is severe at times. I can only use the walker for short distances, considering a lightweight wheelchair. I have since lost my husband and custody of my younger son. I can no longer work. I am living with my mother and she has to care for me and my son, while she works a full time job. I feel so helpless, hopeless, and depressed because I was once independent, able, and enjoying life. I have to get assistance, such as medicaid, food stamps, and temp assistance.
I spend time online, it is my only social life, talking with others who have MS. So many, many are depressed, scared, and every day someone is newly diagnosed. Relationships are destroyed, independence is taken away, and fear is now a part of life at times.
Multiple Sclerosis is very unpredictable and many are unaware of the affects MS has on lives. Many underestimate the seriousness of this illness. Many thinks it is all in our heads. MS is missed by physicians, and at times the diagnosis is a little too late. Many neurologists are not comfortable treating MS. Many times we have to travel 80 plus miles to seek treatment.
I, along with thousands or people with MS would appreciate a show on Multiple Sclerosis to bring awareness of this illness, hoping it will bring a better understand to many who need this knowledge!
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