MS is my disease -- not my Life

by Terri
(Tampa, FL)

Hello all. My name is Terri. I love this website. It has helped me a lot.

I began having symptoms of MS at age 27 right after the birth of my first child. I went to supposedly an "MS expert" who performed and MRI and said that the "bright spots" on my brain were normal. So, for years I went to doctor after doctor trying to figure out what the hell was wrong. I was told it was in my head.

Then I fell....then I fell again. My right foot would just stop. It was chalked up to neuropathy pain and the falling was a side effect. Finally, and I say finally because I finally got the answer I wanted...I lost vision in my left eye from optic neuritis. I was 35 and after an MRI, was finally diagnosed with MS by my neuro-ophthalmalogist.

I found a great neurologist and I have been seeing him ever since.

I did not initially deal with my diagnosis very well, mainly because if I had been properly diagnosed at 27, my level of disability might be less. I try not to focus on that and focus on the fact that I can still see, I can still walk and I can still play with my kids.

Working is hard because I relapse often and I miss work. Employers do not understand this and I've been fired often. I am a paralegal so this affects me negatively greatly and is my biggest obstacle. I've been treated poorly after disclosing my illness to supervisors, so I no longer do this. This is the part that infuriates me!! It's like I'm contagious or something.

Whenever I get down and feel ready to just give up because of the uncertainty of this disease, I turn to my wonderful husband who has been there through it all. You have to have someone remind you always that it is only a disease. It does not define me. It does not dictate how I decide to look at life. It does not win!!

Wishing lots of wellness and happiness to all!!

Terri