I’m Karen & new to this group. I was given my MS diagnosis in April of this year after going to the hospital over vision loss in my eye. After 6 days of treatment in hospital the MRI & spinal tap showed I’ve had it quite a long time but as someone who doesn’t go to the doctors I had no clue. One thought was it was exaserbated at the time following the death of my mum in Jan and all the stress that it entailed, but we’ll never know for sure.
I think I’ve got my head round the diagnosis but I am finding that as people find out they often say ‘I know someone with MS and they’re fine with it so you’ll be ok’ but I am struggling some days with these atitudes.
I know intellectually that now I’m on medication and know to eat healthy and exercise I can help myself control what I can esp with the monitoring in place but some days are harder than others to keep a smile on my face and carry on.
Other folks’ reactions are their own affair, even when we don’t know whether to laugh or cry. A very sweet and very young colleague at work, when I had been newly diagnosed many years ago, came up to me and said, ‘Our neighbour had that. She died.’ Laughing was definitely the best medicine there. She meant well!
I am sorry about your diagnosis. That’s a lot to take on board. I’m glad you’ve found us on here. Personally I have really benefitted from being able to talk to people who just get it because they’ve been there too.
Sorry for your diagnosis. It can take a while to accept but, you will get there. Try to remember that you’re still you and, you can still have happy times.
You will hear some dopey comments, some you just have to see the comedy in if you can
It sounds like you’re already pretty switched on about taking care of yourself - that’s a good thing
a warm welcome to you! such a diagnosis is a total whiplash, and if it’s any comfort, I was diagnosed in december last year and am still, even now, trying to process it. if you consider your other circumstances, that is a huge amount to take on board at once, but you will be okay and, as others have said, there is a lot of warmth and good info on this forum.
let people say and think what they like; try and ignore it, for the most part, and be mindful of your own wellbeing. it sounds as if you’re going all the right things - good diet, sleep, exercise etc - and be patient with yourself if your mood ebbs and flows; that is very much to be expected with MS. fatigue and pain and uncertainty will inevitably mess with your mind and there are many days when I struggle too. it feels cruel, and pointless. meditation is a help to me, at least ten mins a day; it might be of use to you too
go steady, take care of yourself, and reach out if you need. all best to you
She meant well!
