I am currently a 28 year old 4th year medical student with ppms. I am still mobile but I’m worried about my future. I am debating continuing with medical residency or switching to consulting(e.g McKinsey) to make has much money has I can while I’m physically able to. My biggest deciding factor would be how my ppms progresses in the next year. can you guys please share how your ppms has progressed for you?
Thanks!
Hi
It’s a bit like guessing how long a piece of string is, but if it helps you I can tell you about mine, even though everyone is different.
Diagnosed in the 1980’s luckily have had a slow progressive decline over the years, going from sticks to walking frame manual wheelchair and on to power chair for last 20 odd years.
Wishing you all the best.
Pam x
Hi - this is a MS Society UK forum so the following presumes you’re a UK medical student?
If so, I would strongly advise that you enter the foundation programme and the NHS pension scheme as it has ill-health retirement benefits that you may need to utilise.
You may remain stable for years with PPMS - you’re young enough to have potentially very slow progression.
Good luck.
No expert but I’d say go into research or consultancy. The physical rigours of being a hospital Doctor or GP would compromise you far sooner than in more sedentary roles. There’s a “when” component to your decision but under current treatment for PPMS, it’s a when, not an if. Besides, being a MD who has the disease you’re researching would give you a certain authenticity.
I was a construction project manager but getting around a building with uneven floors and ladders instead of stairs became a problem.
In your shoes, I would be aiming to establish myself in a secure, salaried job in work that you find fulfilling and that comes with a good pension scheme and associated ill-health retirement provisions. That way you get to enjoy your work, live your best working life and have a decent safety net if you ever need it.
thank you!
If you went into neurology you’d be the most experienced consultant neurologist there is!
You could potentially keep working when your mobility becomes an issue. As a Dr and not a Mr you wouldn’t be on your feet for hours on end in theartre and you could also do out patients, that way you wouldn’t be doing ward rounds, patients would come to you
As said it’s when not if, but you could be normally functioning for decades.
Keep your chin up and best of luck.
Have you heard of the Octopus programme?