What's the oldest person you know with ms?

Im not diagnosed as of yet & I dont know anyone personally with ms apart from people on forums. It worries me what ms does to people over the years naturally. Does anyone know any older people with ms who have had ms for many years, how are they? Do they still have a good quality of life? I’m thinking well I’m 30 what am I gonna be like in my fifties, sixties etc if I ever make it!

1 Like

Gosh what a question!

If it helps, I’m in my mid fifties, still working full time, walking isn’t great but I manage. I know of other people older than me but in better physical condition, and younger people not so good, so it is very difficult to know what will happen - sorry that’s not much help.

Best wishes, and try not to worry :slight_smile:

B x

Well, I never met her, but my great aunt lived to - we think - 87, with MS. From what I’ve been told, she was not wheelchair-bound until quite near the end - the last few months, perhaps. I’m sure quite a few people will need some kind of aid at 87, MS or not, so I don’t think she fared a lot worse than most.

I know that she was very overweight and didn’t go out much, and faced some criticism from other members of the family about that. But oddly, they don’t seem to have taken into account that she was ill! I think it was a different era, and health problems were not openly discussed. I don’t mean they didn’t know she was ill, but I don’t think it was ever mentioned.

I’ve no idea how much her health contributed to her obesity, or to her limited socialising. Several of her sisters were very big, so she might have been prone to that anyway.

The attitude of the family does seem to have been rather oddly unsympathetic. But I suppose they’d all lived through two world wars, and seen a lot of grief and hardship, so chronic illness wasn’t viewed as particularly tragic. My Nanna didn’t really recognise illness or infirmity, in herself or others, and one of her favourite mottos was: “Can’t is won’t!” In other words, she didn’t really accept that anyone was ever too ill to do anything, but just accused them of not trying hard enough.

Tina

x

Well there is an mser in our Leeds social group aged 93 and shes just found out she suffers heart problems! She goes dancing, loves a good drink (in fact drinks half bottle per night) and still dresses to the nines and keeps herself pretty much as active as she can manage. She does walk with stick and has her bad times but still loves life.

Also another lady at 84 still going strong too, with stick.

Never give up or wander, as we are all different. I did once talk to another older mser who said she couldnt walk at age 21 and now uses a stick - so having faith that nothing may be permanent helps. She thought wheelchair, but was lucky enough never to have ended up using one, at that time she stayed in hospital and had lots of physio, only being allowed home once she was upright again. Talking of 40’s!

One can never tell what will happen but be reassured there are lots of older msers around I assure you. Im not spritley anymore but intend going on for a very long time, watch this space.

bren

x

when i was visiting my friend in the hospice i got chatting to the lady on reception. she was 68 and had had ms for 40 years. she didnt look as though anything was wrong with her. she was very active and chatty.

and then theres me 54 and feeling 74!!!

i really dont think any of us can tell how we’ll be later in life.

just enjoy the present

carole x

I’m 27 and been dx since april, i have had theese what if thoughts too. My uncle has ms too he is in his late 50’s you couldn’t tell he has ms. Don’t let the worst case rule your life. We dont know the future, so enjoy the present.

1 Like

We have a chap in our MS branch who is around 78. He has PPMS and has had it for over 30 years, up until recently he was walking but needs a wheelchair when he’s out these days. He has a very nice wife who keeps him going and chivies him along. He has a very good sense of humour which I’m sure has helped. Up until a few years ago he and his wife had a small holding that they maintained and kept geese and ducks and supplied people with eggs. They sold up and moved into town now, after he had a hip replacement that he recovered from.

He is a truly inspirational person.

Wendy xx

Hello Anonymous,I think you’d be better looking at close family to get a very rough idea of lifespan.There is a theory that your lifespan is dependant on your Grandparents.If your family live to 70+, there is no real reason why you shouldn’t, with the advances in medical treatment.

If there are medical issues in the family MS might mean you are not as able to fight through prolonged periods of poorliness quite as well. You’re nowt but a kid,not diagnosed,so I reckon you should have an eye on the horizon, but get on with living and see what happens.

The average age of death of my grandparents is 89,so 40 years of fun to look forwards to.

Wb

All you youngsters make me chuckle (says he from the ripe old age of 75) knowing that there are people not too far away from me who are older and have had MS for much longer.

OK, so I have only had the bl**dy condition for five and a half years, so that does not really answer the OP’s question.
The key thing to think about is that what happens to you will be whatever happens. It might be slow, and it might be fast, and if you are still young, then there is a chance that some of the wonder cures and treatments that are still in research may be available in time to help you. They are probably going to be too late for me. (Tough, so I have to deal with it.)

If you can accept that, then what follows is simple - do what you can while you still can do it. If things get worse, you will wish that you had done it (whatever that is) when you could, and you cannot turn the clock back. With something like MS, averages do not mean very much. The “average” life of a heart bypass is seven years - I had mine 12 years ago. MS knocks about five years off your life expectancy - and I am several years older than the “average” for men.

If you want a good quality of life, it all depends on what you mean by a good quality of life; do you mean scuba diving in the Caribbean, or popping down to the local for a decent glass of real ale?

Most of it is in your head, anyway - just go and do it as long as you can.

Geoff

Good question

My mother lived until she was 93

;-)))) Mary

Sorry should have added my mother was only in wheelchair for the last 5 years of her life. She was a bright spark and had a good quality of life up to her last few days.

Wonderful

:wink: Mary

Hi, the woman who runs our local MS group is 81, has ppms, has had it for years and years, still walks (with a stick), still drives, is very involved with various groups…

I’m 59, got ppms… and certainly hope there’s life in the old dog yet!

Pat x

I know someone who has a sister who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 65.She’s now 90 years old.

Brenda x

Well there you go, eh? All these replies talking about folk well into their dotage with MS and still getting out and enjoying life!

Wonderful!

luv Pollx

Hi, my dad will be 87 in June this year and has had MS for 46 years. He was a river pilot so was not allowed to work after diagnosis and had to retire. He is still walking (just) or should I say shuffling around the house. It takes him a while to manage stairs but gets there eventually. If he goes out we have to use a wheelchair which we only got last year for him. He was driving until February 2017 when they think he started having small seizures so that stopped the driving and loss of his independence. Ever since diagnosis he has gone for a rest in the afternoon. He really is amazing and has never complained about his illness. He just gets on with it. Everyone is different and now they have drugs to slow things down.

1 Like

Wow, your Dad is amazing, he and others like him should be an inspiration to everyone. Can a tiny bit of the next hug you give him be from me please. xx

I think app66 you are making the classic case of thinking everyone above 30 is “old”. I’d say widen your eyes, open your mind and look at people for who they are not number of years.

If you come to MS Life its a real eye opener, theres folks all ages, all abilities, every conceivable type you can imagine. and as you look around - a room full of folks with sticks, wheelchairs, scooters…you suddenly think, wow, all these people either have or care for someone with MS. Its a great experience and I encourage you to get to it!

1 Like

I like this thread.

1 Like

I’m 56 but feel 86, so do I count?

Positive thoughts and sorry you feel like this. My dad has never complained and rests every afternoon which I am sure has been his saving grace. He is 87 this year. Take care and look after yourself x