Oh Sweetie--- You are not Vein- you are justified in how you feel although I KNOW you are beautiful... I'm 34 and have always tried to keep my appearance up despite the weight gain from the steroids, depression and all the in betweens..

I just finished 5 days of Solumedrol and now on strong Antibiotics... I feel just gross... I have lost 35 lbs but I lost it quickly and feel flabby although everyone says I look great-- I don't feel great... I feel yucky.

I've always prided myself in my hair but now it's falling out by the handfulls, getting thin and starting to bother me.. I hate washing it b/c I know it's gonna just slide ride out into my hands... I literally just sat carefully blowing it dry hoping more didn't come out. I'm scared to highlight it b/c it may make the situation worse ... I obsess over each new wrinkle and had to stop tanning b/c of the flare up, steroids and new meds... I say all of this to let you know, I UNDERSTAND ! And you're young and of course you wanna look your best !!! The fact that your moms friend made that comment, makes me wanna punch her in the face for you !! What a bitch and heartless thing to say especially knowing that you're ill ! Pay her comments no mind and KNOW you're doing the best you can and that all that matters is how you feel-- getting well and out of this flare is what is best for you. Go get a mani and pedi-- get your hair done (by a professional) and use good hair products.. take really good care of your skin and do little things to make you feel good about you.. Sometimes a new lip gloss can make it all better (: I'm a girly girl and this disease can take so much of what makes us feel beautiful and turn it into sheer exhaustion and anxiety. Take a deep breath, look in the mirror and know you're gorgeous !!! It's still there- I'm telling myself, soon I'll feel better-- this won't last forever and if my hair all falls out-- I'm getting super hot sexy wigs... haha.. In the mean time, I'm trying to do little things for myself -- drink LOTS of Water, keep your skin hydrated with a good moisturizer and I'm even using cuticle oil on my nails before bed and special lip balm-- hey, whatever gets a girl through-- Inbox me anytime... I'm here for ya ... Smile, you still got it (:

Hi

It is not vain at all, you are young and have to deal with more than fair.

The most important thing is your emotional wellbeing, now and later. If you can see a professional, that can teach you how to deal with this challenges. My daughter is 19 and I know how hard some issues might be. When someone makes a stupid comment to or about her, I always remind this person that the only important thing to us is her health, f the rest. They get it and stop.

Attitude is what people see, think beautiful, think proud, imagine how popular people walk and carry themselves.

You are you and nobody nor ms can take that away.

Alma

I feel ur pain. I started taking Neurton 1 year ago and without changing my diet I gained 30 pounds. I have been trying to lose this extra weight and get back into an exercise routine, but I have become so lazy about it.. Just last week I decided that my appearance had gone down hill. I have made it

Totally agree with craftomaniac
you are not being vein,
I also had beautiful thick long hair,all sorts of stuff happens, I was for sure a yummy mummy lol, I dont feel that anymore,And because you are so young it must be so hard for you, look with the meds and all you have been through, having those days Im afraid is going to happen, I'm sure you are beautiful inside and out, give yourself a break your going through alot.. and as I say I'm sure you are a beautiful woman
:) just some days we feel crap

My favorite saying is "Any day above ground is a good day" but I had a scare about 3 years ago and almost died. You are allowed to feel vain, but just remember your attitude is part of your beauty and no one can take that away from you. If you have a positive attitude it adds to your beauty. Just look at the world and realize how beautiful everything is and that you are a part of that. You have alot on your plate at such a young age and with peer pressure and how cruel your peers can be everyone here understands your feelings. You are very validated in the way you feel just don't let anyone bring you down. While your classmates are stressing about zits you are dealing with a debilitating disease and from the sounds of thing you are doing a phenomenal job. Be proud you are beautiful inside and out.

I agree with what everyone has said & you are not being vein. The most important thing is to look after our body & health as much as we can. The fact that you are going to a gym is great as it shows you are working at it.

Were you put on calcium with the steroids? They should always do that to help the body cope & all of my Neurologists here have done that. It just helps the body cope a bit better.

As for the losing hair, I know what you mean & I am a lot older than you & its a shock. Again it is the drugs doing it. You need to make sure you have a good diet, plenty of vegetables, fruit etc & cut down on anything with sugar in it.
As well as that add some vitamins. I cant say which one's as I can't remember which one helps the hair (LOL) but definately a multivitamin & evening primrose oil are always good. Evening primrose oil moisturises from inside & also helps hair shine I have found.
Hope this helps,
Take care of yourself & believe in yourself. Don't let anyone take that away or make you doubt yourself. When people are so rude to comment (& they do) think to yourself, they are rude as dont know what is happening or what drugs I am on. If you want to reply to them do so in a polite manner with something like a general comment -I know I have put on some thats why I am here & there are reasons its happened which I know. Usually puts them in their place, you can say its a medical issue if you want or whatever you want but DONT let them talk you down.

Sorry for long reply. Take care of yourself.
AusSue

Oh sweetie, Im sorry that this happened to you, BUT...

there is ALWAYS going to be something in your life that will affect the way you look on the OUTSIDE. medicine, pregnancy, emotional eating. extreme diets to impress that certain young man. depression, or just plan old "i give up." What needs to happen is you need to stop seeing what is in the mirror and seeing what is in your heart.

I am soooo sorry that you have MS, but the fact is...you do. This means that you WILL require meds. Whether they be only during a flare, or long term to prevent a flair. We have to deal with the cards we have been dealt. Get a good hair cut. not a supercuts or walmart special, I mean go to a full on salon and tell them about your issues. let the hair dresser help you shape your hair so that it flatters and compliments YOUR face. DONT pick out a style from a magazine unless the girl look like your twin. This ONE hair cut can provide the foundation for those supercuts and walmart places to follow when getting trims and follow up care. You wont need to be a forever person of the salon, only if you need to change the shape of style.

You have already joined a gym. This will help you burn off cortisol. A hormone we release when under stress. it also causes us to be hungry. Add belly fat and so forth.

Last but not least, please know that Rebif can cause depression. This be as simple as being more irritated with folks or situations, or as big as I hate myself and dont want to do this anymore. PLEASE speak to your neuro about your symptoms. He may prescribe an anti depressant or may switch your meds.

ALL meds come with side effects. ALL of them! dont ever let anyone tell you this one is side effect free. Some have hair loss, some have depression, some have burning sites, or anxiety, or skin stuff. its a trade off. Less flares and shorter flares for thinner hair.

We are ALL vain to a certain extent. You are not strange, odd or out of place to feel so, but I am hoping you will stand up and fight. fix things you can fix, and love those you cant. I want you to picture your best friend in your head or better yet go talk to her. When you are talking to her are you running a loop in your head? "my God she got fat, or when did her boobs shrink? or is her hair thin? or what was she thinking when she got that sweater! NO NO NO I can promise you that you are not. You are talking to your best friend. WHO CARES what sweater she is wearing! you are thrilled that she stands before you. loves you. Accepts you. understands that you got handed a bad card. Wants to help you carry it. We dont tend to see folks we love as their outside shell dictates we see the inside mushy part. The part that spreads love, kindness, and hope.

Its my prayer for you that you surround yourself with folks that do the same for you. You are going to find some folks wont get it, and will be cruel. Too bad for them. They lose out on a good friend. A young woman who gets it. A loyal, kind, trustworthy friend. I want you to picture that cruel person standing knee deep in a river, and yet they stand there crying about how thirsty they are. They dont get it, and its NOT your job yet to teach it. Just know it. Then move on and keep building YOUR foundation.

Know that you are loved. meds or not.

Boy do I feel your frustration. I too feel unattractive, fat, bloated, can't do my own hair (or even up it up without help ), and I am getting old to boot! And after an 8 day hospital stay and intense pain, I know that all that stuff is really not that important. At the same time, I would feel better emotionally if I thought I was moderately attractive. So, knowing it is vain, doesn't lessen the desire to look better, and I still know whats most important. I think it might be harder for you. In high school we all wanted to look good. So sorry you are having a tough time. Truly it is our inside that matters most.

Ahhh....you see? All the women feel or have felt just as you. And yes, beauty shines from the inside out. I too at the age of 57 am a girly girl, but...gravity has been proven...I say no more on gravity...ugh!!

Sweetie you are young....it is horrible this disease has hit you, but don't give up.Looking in the mirror or thru someones else's eyes, doesnt' define who you are. I am sure it has got to be tough since today their is so much public media pressure for young ladies to look like they just walked off the cover of Vogue .

You are probably thinking, us much older hens, chics,whatever....don't understand , but we DO. Yes, as Craftomaniac admits, she is very girly, she too will be the first to tell you, do what makes you feel pretty and happy, it isnt about others, it is about you!!

It takes a very strong minded young lady to write a Post expressing their feelings as you did. Hang in there beautiful

Believe me hun we all understand! No matter what our age, we want to look our best. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age. Try to remember that the only lasting beauty is on the inside. No one and nothing can take that away from you. As for people who make mean or thoughtless comments, it doesn't matter how good they look on the outside, they will never have that inner beauty. Stay strong and hope you are feeling better soon! ((HUGS))

Oh Malina c505~
I so feel for you!! totally been there!!! No worries your still beautiful!! We can't let MS take our self esteem!! God knows it does its best to rob us of all it can!! It also can totally effect your body image. Its hard to smile and radiate your inner beauty if you feel awful!
You having this disease at such a young age is hard. I thought being dx at 28 was hard, but I wasn't in high school that's worse!
Just be yourself don't worry, anyone whos really your friend will always be there for you! Let people see your true beauty!!!!