Hello everyone! I’m 21 and I’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two weeks ago. I’ve done the research, I am on treatment already with tecfidera, my neurologists are super great and I thought… Well everything is settled then! I can continue living my normal life and just get over it. Unfortunately for the moment ai realize I am feeling anxious. Like my body feels anxious, nauseous, I can’t sleep. I don’t understand. I feel like I haven’t really taken the time to process the diagnosis and when I think about it I feel shocked. I’m a student and I can’t really focus on my studies now:( I just never in a million years would have expected this to happen, and it was so quick, within few months I was diagnosed so I didn’t really had the time to process what was going on in the midst of the neurological testing. I’m not here to be crybaby I know I’m lucky to be healthy it’s just a lot to take in. Do you have any suggestions on how to cope with the feelings of shock? I just feel like my sense of self has been ripped off somehow. I don’t want to be tragic but that’s how I feel. And I’m lucky because I don’t have symptoms besides twitching!
I too have just been diagnosed 3 weeks ago at 29 although I went to a + e with numbness and difficulty walking and was diagnosed within two days. I still feel the way you do like life is never going to be the same and have struggled with the news greatly. I have had anxious days, happy days, sad days and angry days and the only advice I can give you is that you are entitled to your feelings! Don’t let anyone tell you you are being silly or over reacting. This is a life long battle we have entered into and we should be able to deal with it in our own way. I know this doesn’t help much but just wanted to let you know you are not alone in how you feel!
That’s harsh and traumatizing I’m sorry! I think it’s never fun to be diagnosed with ms but being diagnosed straight away with a chronic disease after some symptoms it’s really traumatizing! Yes it helps me a lot to know there’s someone else feeling this way, as selfish as it sounds. I just find myself without many ways to cope and I’m a bit scared to notice weird things on my body. But you are right, we are suddenly throw in this lifetime battle we definitely didn’t ask for and it does take time to adjust! Thank you for sharing your experience
Hello you 2 newbies.
I know it is a huge thump to your senses when MS is diagnosed.
It can normally take quite a while to get that diagnosis…anywhere from a few months to…in my case…22 years!!!
Let yourself absorb what`s happened…pace your activities, never refuse help when it is offered and dont beat yourself up about having MS.
Things will settle down into a more everyday type of routine.
Look after yourselves and hang in there .
Boudsxx
Hi all,
I am recently diagnosed at 34 (results came 3 days ago) and I feel the exact same. Haven’t started treatment yet. Waiting for all that, but got the call from my neurologist but I was expecting the results. Since then I feel anxious, stressed and having trouble sleeping. Maybe it’s a part of accepting it? I guess it’s the not knowing what the next steps look like and fear! Hoping to hear about appointments soon and starting some drugs. It’s scary.
You have had a life-changing diagnosis, and that is a major jolt to the system.
I do not think that there is a ‘right’ way to deal with that. You will find your own way, and whatever that will be OK. It might have some emotional ups and downs as you process difficult and painful emotions, so buckle up and prepare to be patient with yourself. What do I mean by that? I mean not beating yourself up if you find yourself thinking or acting in ways that are not typical of your rational, adult self. If you do find that you’re struggling emotionally, that is OK - it’s not that you’re doing anything wrong. It’s all just part of the process of coming to terms. The other thing I would say is, if you find yourself feeling down and anxious or whatever, do not suppose that you will always feel as rough as that. You won’t.
Good luck with it all, and please do remember to be gentle with yourself.
Alison