Hi All,
I’m Amanda, I’m 63 years and have had secondary progressive MS for 8 years and very new to these chat forums but I do not know anyone else with MS and it would be great to share my thoughts with other fellow sufferers.
I did not tell anyone except my husband (and only those on a need to know basis) as I did not want to upset my family, and managed to hide it until about 3 years ago-when I could not hide my symptoms, when my balance, awkward walk and tripping were obvious!!
I’ve always enjoyed walking on our beautiful beaches and countryside, gardening and photography. OK I can still do these things but in a much more limited way-which I’m finding very frustrating and slowly realizing the limits on my quality of life.
My husband has his own health problems too and gets fed up with my moaning-he does not talk much about his own limitations and I often perhaps selfishly and thoughtlessly forget- as I’m so consumed with my own disappointments.
I was a Radiographer and retired in 2 years ago.
Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum.
I have SPMS as well, diagnosed 18 months ago, but probably had ms for 25 years.
Feel free to complain, rant and rave we us - we all do at some point and we all understand so can offer empathy and virtual hugs 
Enjoy what you can when you can, stay well and safe, A
Hi ACT1,
Thank you for your warm and encouraging words. A
Hi Amanda,
Indeed it can be frustrating trying to cope with these changes. I find it is all about adapting and new compromises. I now use a lightweight bridge camera with one hand, but am still taking pictures. I also use an off road mobility scooter so can still scamper about in the woods. (with different risks and limitations, but I still get out and about)
Wishing you all the best
Mick
Hi Mick,
Thank you for your encouraging and practical words. I’ts taking time for me to adjust to doing things differently and more slowly and to appreciate the positives in my life.
I too have always been a busy, creative and fortunately a practical person and able to see ways of solving a problem but now I find it difficult to get my head around not functioning as I used too!
I enjoy editing and printing photos on Photoshop, and knitting which are restful hobbies. I use walking poles when we’re out for short walks but I can’t wander and browse in shops without a trolley to hang on to!!
Your off road scooter sounds great.
Thanks again, A
i have a wildlife camera and when i can and its not raining i put it out and catch local wildlife. I have a youtube channel now HEDGEHOG AND WILDLIFE JUNCTION.
I always find things to do. Even if it is just re runs of HOUSE lol.
I am on my own now since 2017. Its been a worse journey then the one with MS.
if your creative you could do something like design personalised cards for people etc even business cards. I have recently taken to designing stationery for a few people who have a small business. I used to teach NVQ business admin and have a wealth of experience also i taught I.T. too. So i have designed their letters, invoices terms of business etc. It can be quite fun and takes my mind of the pain of nerve in my left foot.
I am always finding things to do. One thing i can say is when your both sick its really hard. We neither of us should remember the importance of each others limitations, and work as a team, like well for example the three legged race.
you have to run in harmony or fall over. i found my mike could still walk and go out and do shopping and stuff. I had the brains so i did all the finances, and I never pushed him to do things I knew he wasnt able too. So i got someone to help me with the house. we worked along quite fine, yes we had our rows and spats mainly down to my unreasonable anger but overall we muddied together. We respected each others limitations. He liked to watch news etc on T.V. in the day, so i took to wearing earphones and watching something on netflix etc. Yep life muddled along lol. oh i loved music so listened to that too whilst he once again watched the news.
I had grieved for my old life and decided it was time to move on and get and do things. its amazing how many hidden talents we have. xxx If browsing shops is too hard and you go with your hubby there is no shame in you buying a nice cheap wheelchair and getting him to push you around so that way all your valuable reserves are not used trying to stay upright. thats if his illness allows. xxx or a folding mini travel scooter great fun, you can use a stamp for all the people you run over lol. x