Back in November of 1999, my right leg started feeling numb and heavy,
and I had some pain in my back. I went to a chiropractor who had xrays
taken and when he didn't see anything wrong, he suggested I see a neurologist. After having
head and back MRIs, and a few other tests, I
was diagnosed with MS in January of 2000. I immediately started on Avonex,
which is supposed to stop the progression of the disease. I was on Avonex
for 3 years and was slowly getting worse. Since the side effects of the
Avonex made me feel 10 times worse, I quit Avonex and tried Methotrexate in pill
form. That didn't seem to help at all and my stiffness and mobility were
getting worse, so I had a Baclofen pump implanted and am currently getting
Methotrexate directly into my spine through the pump. The baclofen pump
has helped with the stiffness, but I feel that I am still slowly getting worse,
as my right hand and arm are getting weaker now.
I can't walk at all and use a power chair all the time now. It's hard to
believe what this disease has done to me in a matter of 5 years. It has
changed my whole life, along with my family's. I have to say that they
have been very supportive and have helped me more than they know.
There are so many hidden symptoms of this disease, little annoying things that
come and go, that most people who are not afflicted could not even
imagine. Visit the
"MS Symptoms - What It Feels Like" page to get a better understanding
of this.
Besides the physical
effects of MS, I think emotionally it is harder to deal with. Not knowing
how you are going to feel from one day to the next can be very
frightening. I try not to think about it and take one day at a time and do
what I want to do instead of trying to do what I think needs to be done.
Having a positive attitude is important as well as having hope that some day
there will be a cure.
I also think it is
important for everyone, whether you are disabled or not, to live life to the
fullest because you never know what tomorrow might bring.
I've designed a few MS
t-shirts. If you want to check them out, click below
Because
MS affects everyone in so many different ways, the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society has adopted this"prism
pin" to represent MS, which changes colors with movement, light or position.
The changing colors of the ribbon pin signify that MS is an ever changing and
unpredictable disease seen in different lights and different ways, but is ever
constant. By donating money, merchandise or your time, or wearing the
ribbon pin, you are helping to make a difference in the lives of people affected
by MS. Contact your local NMSS chapter to request a prism pin.
The prism pin
graphic was custom made for me by LyndaBriggs at Signatures with Style.
Thank you Lynda! Click on her link below where you can have beautiful
graphics made for you.
