Newly diagnosed panicking

Hi ,
after 3 years and transferred to another hospital I have finally got a diagnosis I have three kids and I’m 29 I first got diagnosed with optic neuritis in 2019 and there has always been talk of ms but now I’m diagnosed I’m panicking and over thinking I’m about to start kasimpta I just wondered if anyone has started this or has any advice on being newly diagnosed as I’m abit overwhelmed thank you :blush: x

Life is a lottery with or without ms. We have to learn to adapt I found the hardest thing was to accept my diagnosis. I wasted so much time fighting something I can’t change. Now I’m at ease life is moving slower than normal but I’m alive & I smile I still love me. Care for yourself 1st the rest will fall into place. Good luck at finding the new you she is still their :heart:Xx

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Hello Nat

Wow, I hadn’t heard of Kesimpta before. It’s a new drug and honestly, to me it looks great.

I know having the diagnosis is cr@p, even after it’s been mentioned a few times over the time you’ve been under investigation (urgh, 3 bloody years, tempting to blame Covid for some of that, but that’s a bit of an excuse; actually it’s unforgivable). But having the diagnosis at least now means you are able to start drug therapy. And the delay to diagnosis means you’re just in time for this new drug!

A disease modifying drug is designed to reduce the number and severity of relapses. This in turn means disability is reduced. Which is what you want.

Kesimpta’s potential looks really good. If you’ve not seen any information about it, have a look at this: Kesimpta (ofatumumab) | MS Trust Relapse reduction of about 70% is great. And the fact that it’s a subcutaneous (just under the skin) monthly injection is brilliant too. Most of the drugs that offer that good a relapse reduction are administered in a hospital by infusion.

Injecting yourself initially seems strange and difficult, but really it’s easier than it sounds. Just under the skin usually means you stick the tiny needle (often disguised with an auto injector pen) into a fattish part of you. This can often mean your bum, or thigh, or maybe stomach. When people are injecting every day or a few times a week, rotating injection sites is important. When it’s monthly, I’m sure it’s less of a bother.

Really, you will build it into your routine. There are possible side effects, but most of these you can reduce. Things like fever, muscle ache and flu-ey type things will be manageable. Being careful around colds and viruses is something we’ve all learnt to do over the past couple of years thanks to Covid.

I know I must sound a bit like a sales person from the drug company, but I’m just honestly so impressed by the initial look of this drug. If I were in the first few years of diagnosis, I’d try to get switched onto Kesimpta. (Sadly I’m 25 years in and not a candidate for any DMD!)

Try to stop panicking. Being diagnosed with MS is tough. Its a horrible disease. It’s not something you’d wish on your worst enemy (or maybe your very worst enemy :smiling_imp:!!) Being a parent must make it even scarier, especially of 3 children. But it is survivable. You will I’m sure, find that you are strong enough to cope.

And when you’ve got questions and need support, advice, just propping up, come here and we’ll try to help.

Sue

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Such a positive post thank you :blush: xx

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Thank you for the advice I didn’t realise it was new lovely to have support xx

How you getting on. A positive attitude helps it’s not always easy but no one ever said life is easy just take small steps & we will all get there :two_hearts:

Hi NAT. Yep I know how you’re feeling…it does scare you silly when diagnosed with a serious health condition. It takes time to get your head round it all.
Give yourself that much needed time. You did nothing to get this disease, so please don’t waste valuable thinking time on that.

Speak to your consultant or MS nurse about any possible medication. Many different types out there…but one size doesn’t fit all people. Quite often, a medication can make all the difference to how a type of MS progresses or not…
Not everyone ends up needing a wheelchair.

Hang in there chick and pace your activities.
Xxx Boods

Hi feel a lot better this week and thank you just waiting for the nurse to come out and show me the injections then hopefully will help with symptoms xxx hope your doing ok too x

Hi aw thank you for your reply I will do :slight_smile: xxx