Hi all, my name is Kieren and I’ve just been diagnosed with MS after a lumbar puncture (MRI scans as well). My doctor has referred me to Addenbrokes to speak to the specialists and hopefully create a treatment plan. I think I’ve had it for years but have only just gone down the doctor route after walking became problematic. I guess I have the classic symptoms…leg weakness, toilet issues, constant pins and needles feeling in the left hand, memory loss. I think deep down I was hoping it would go away hence the delayed doctors appointment. My toilet problems began ages ago and was I prescribed water retention tablets at the time…now I realise it was as probably the beginning of MS.
I’m 44 (male) and have always been active so am quite slim. No family history of MS.
Guess like most I’m wondering why it’s chosen me.
Unfortunately hiking was one of my hobbies so MS has screwed that up!
Does anyone have any experience of the Addenbrokes MS team? Or what they may prescribe? I’m wondering if the walking will get any better with medication?
Me too. There isn’t any way of making that OK. And (‘and’, not ‘but’) we somehow find a way to find it’s ok (or ok-ish) to live in a narrower world. Sorry, that’s not exactly three cheers for having ms, is it? Two cheers, maybe. You’ll find your own way through, and in many ways it does get easier.
I should have said: once I was finally on a powerful enough treatment, my walking range did improve a little as I got fitter and stronger generally and was able to recruit the bits that still work into the task as far as possible. Once permanent damage is done there’s no undoing it though. Getting on an effective med gives you the best chance of staying as well as you can for as long as you can.
Yikes and hikes! I get half way with my dog and wonder what the hell I’m doing 
Do you supplement? There’s a wee list that I need to function as an almost human. I’ve conducted a few experiments and have found what works for me