Yes, I have multiple sclerosis (MS)
October 13th, 2009 by Grandpa OddballCopyright © GetOddNews and Grandpa Oddball October 13, 2009. All rights reserved.
At the 2004 MS walk
Unlike many MS sufferers I don’t mind revealing my medical condition but then my experience is somewhat atypical. I know that some people with MS have experiences similar to mine but in my experience (with support groups and others) we are a minority. In fact for many there are excellent reasons for them to hide their condition for as long as they can. Luckily I don’t have that problem.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’ve been surprised by the number of people interested in following my medical progress (or lack thereof). As a result I’m expanding my blog post to talk about my MS (which, unfortunately, happens to be the least of my medical problems). I don’t want to dwell on my medical problems as that tends to interfere with enjoying the good things in my life but if it helps you for me to write about MS then I’m willing. And if you want me to continue down this path please leave a comment at the end of this post. I don’t seem to get many comments at this web site. In fact almost all of my feedback is verbal or via email from family and friends but I’m interested in what others think so if you read this leave a comment.
Usually when people learn I have MS they have a slew of questions but may be reluctant to ask them. I don’t mind answering their questions but realistically I’m not sure how useful is the information. MS is such a very variable disease ranging exhaustion and weakness to being bed ridden and racked with pain that any one person’s experiences is probably not typical. It includes blindness, cognitive impairment, numbness and pain (surprisingly both at the same time), difficulty breathing, paralysis, heat sensitivity, and anything else that is governed by the nervous system. I’ve experienced all of the above at one time or another over the last 20+ years. As a result MS is sometimes very difficult even for doctors to diagnose.
- I have the advantage of a supporting spouse and extended family (very not typical)
- my former employer was very understanding making workplace accommodations for me to the point of even setting up a home office for me to work until I physically had to go on SS disability (and this was before ADA)
- I was diagnosed rather quickly and didn’t go through any of the horror stories I’ve heard recounted at support groups
- social security approved my disability claim with a minimum of fuss once I convinced the examiner that MS was a physical disease not psychological (at first they wanted me to see a psychiatrist!) so I didn’t have to go through the years of agony and stress that many others endured (stress is one of the triggers of an MS attack or episode).
If I think about it I’m sure there are some more atypical reasons but you get the idea. We’re all different.
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Tags: Multiple Sclerosis
this article with others.
I like the medical posts here. Even though I see you pretty much daily, I still learn about things I wasn’t aware of, or learn more about them. I like how this expands my understanding of everythting you’re dealing with – and sometimes it helps me realize a new/different way to support you. I still think you’re amazing – and endearing!