Any one have MS?

[clarkykitten]

I am 34 with 2 DC and was diagnosed with MS when I was 15y.

Am lucky in that I have not had any major problems but this past year, it has really been affecting me and I am currently off work due to sensory symptoms (relapse?) down my right side.

Just wanting to chat really :)

[Twosugarsplease]

Hi clarky didn't want to pass you by, I don't have m.s but my dad was diagnosed when I was 4 yrs old, so I grew up with m.s in my life.
My dad was 33 when he was diagnosed.

[clarkykitten]

Hi twosugars, thanks for the reply :)

How is your Dad now? I have been really lucky so far, considering that I was diagnosed so long ago but it is a lot to get my head around now- I could pretty much forget about it until recently! Also for my DH, who knew I had the diagnosis but has not seen the effects until recently.

[chocolatelime]

Hi Clarky, I don't have MS but my DH does and was diagnosed 3 years ago when he was 37yrs old. He had a relapse that left him numb on his right hand side a couple of years ago, but all the sensation gradually came back and now you would never know. It was very worrying at the time, and it is hard to get used to living with the uncertainty of not knowing what the future holds.

However, we have remained very positive about it all. We are lucky and he is able to work full time. His main health issue at the moment is a back problem, which is nothing to do with the MS!

I hope that you are feeling better very soon.

[teedeeuk]

Hello! Yes, me. Diagnosed early thirties sixteen years ago. Mostly well but have had 'bad' years :)

[clarkykitten]

Hi teedeeuk

It is helpful to know that there are other people out there with MS. have you got children? Sorry to hear that you have had some rubbish years, but I hope that the good outweigh the bad... That is what I am aiming for anyway :)

[Sunnywithshowers]

Hi clarkykitten

My DH has MS - he's 42 and was diagnosed at 35.

It mostly affects his balance and strength on one side, and his hands (sensitivity / control). His current major symptom is tiredness and he wants to sleep all the time.

We don't have children - we have an elderly cat.

[clarkykitten]

Hi sunny :)

My major symptom is tiredness too, hard to explain to others why you just want to sleep all the time! My DH knew my diagnosis when we married but it is only in the past year or so that my MS has been affecting me, so it is taking him a while to come to terms with the lifestyle changes I have had to make.

For partners of people with MS, do you find that YOU get support and is there anywhere I can signpost my DH to that might help? TIA :)

[clarkykitten]

Hi also to chocolatelime, thank you for posting :) I hope that your DH will remain well. Sounds cheesy but I truly believe that if you kind of try and forget about and don't dwell on the diagnosis, it really helps. I am convinced my little 'blip' this year is down to the fact I have two very energetic kids (age 2 and 5), moved house this last year and have had a mental busy time at work. Fingers crossed anyway!

[Sunnywithshowers]

Hi clarky :)

I don't have any support at the moment but I think I will start looking for some. DH's MS is now having a more profound effect on our lives, even though he hasn't had a full relapse for years.

I know the MS Society has a forum for partners, and that they run local groups. I don't know about anything else.

[clarkykitten]

I think it is the general lifestyle changes that have a massive effect, isn't it? And I am sure the uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis. Really difficult for both the person who has it and also their partners and friends. I'll tell my DH about the MS Society boards, thanks Sunny :)

[teedeeuk]

Clarkykitten, yes I have four children all born before diagnosis and grown up now.My main issue is being knackered all the time but I totally go along with the 'don't pay attention to it' mindset. Has worked very well for me :)