Introduction to the Group

Hi everyone. I’m Paul James (go by PJ). I’m 55 and was diagnosed with RRMS a few years ago in 2023. I’ve been fortunate so far and have managed to live a reasonably normal life. I have been on Vumerity since diagnosed and results appear stable, which is good news. I love riding my bike, as my main motivation to keeping active. I live near Horsham and am married with three sausage dogs! I look forward to chatting more on this forum and always happy to listen and chat with others if you ever want to talk.

Cheers. PJ

4 Likes

Hi PJ,

Welcome to the group, we’re a friendly bunch :slight_smile:

Sounds like you keep pretty active. Do you find your MS affects you much?

I was diagnosed last September and haven’t had any really bad physical symptoms, though the fatigue certainly hits at times! I started on Kesimpta in December so hopefully that will keep me functioning.

Alison

Hi Alison. Thanks for your message and it’s nice to connect. I hope you are doing ok.

In the three years since diagnosis, I have been handling things ok and staying active has been a good focus. But there are days when the fatigue hits you like a brick and on those days I have learned to rest and take it a bit easier I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to take a little nap when needed to reboost my energy levels when needed.

How about you? Are things stable?

Thanks again for connecting.

Take care. PJ

Hi PJ,

I love a nap! And sometimes it’s necessary isn’t it? I am glad things are ok for you and you can mostly keep active.

My MS is pretty stable I suppose. I was only diagnosed a few months ago (September 25) and started Kesimpta in December 25. It’s a lot to process. I only found out I had lesions because I had a brain MRI for something else entirely. And then the process started and I eventually got diagnosed with MS. Some of the things I had put down to being perimenopausal or autistic were probably actually MS symptoms. I haven’t had anything obvious like numb limbs, vision problems etc.

I haven’t had pain the back of my knees pretty much constantly since the beginning of December. Physio can’t find an obvious cause and wondered if it might be neurological. I have an appt with the MS nurse in a few weeks but she didn’t seem to think that it was neurological when we spoke on the phone (pending a physical examination). I just want the bloomin pain to stop!

I am very lucky because one of my friends is an MS specialist neurologist in another part of the country. She has been a great support guiding me through the diagnostic process, explaining things and helping me to get the most out of my appointments with my neurologist (who is also lovely).

Have you got much planned for the weekend? Do you t try to get out on your bike then?

Wishing you all the best

Alison

Hi again Alison. I agree with you there is so much to take onboard after diagnosis. There is such a variety of different terms, different symptoms and different treatments. It can be a bit of a lonely and confusing place in the early days. But well done, as it seems you have a good positive attitude and a great team around you. Keep going and keep in touch. Always here for a chat anytime. PJ

1 Like

Thanks PJ :slight_smile:

This helped me a lot. Thanks! :smiley:

It sounds like you have been through an incredibly stressful time navigating the system. During that specific window, most of the UK was transitioning between the older Poser criteria and the 2005/2010 McDonald revisions. If you feel your case was handled incorrectly due to the diagnostic labels used at the time, you might want to look into requesting a formal review through the Patient and Client Council in Northern Ireland, as they can often help with clinical history disputes.