well, let's seeeeee... you want the good news, or the bad news? :)

I had 10 attacks in 11 years from age 31 to 42. But I never went to a neuro til after that last attack.

Been attack free since 2003 though, and hope to stay that way. I could only imagine how it woulda been if I found it at 33 intead of 43.

So you got a chance at it not being THAT bad.

My simple answer, and from my own experience...it's only as bad as you let it be. I don't give it too much room in my life, so it doesn't get too big. Be well-Jen

It has changed my life but mostly in my head (and I don't mean my brain). There are symptoms, sure, and life changes (adjusting to lower energy level, giving myself shots, losing some vision, etc.) but it's also about seeing myself differently. I was just diagnosed in September. My counselor told me that I should let myself just settle into this new reality for a while. I figure it will, like most things that are horrible at first, will end up making me stronger. Good luck.

my experience is I have had to have my own experience.
I started off pretending it wasnt true, then I started to except it, then I got angry, started to feel sorry for myself for a min. now Im back to accepting it and remembering all the things I can do.
so for me it has been different levels and Im ok with that.
again Im glad your here.
april

Its only a big as deal as you let it be in your life. Now matter what you lose. For me I have lost vision (permently) in my left eye, and I have difficulty walking. Thats not a big deal to me, and I veiw it as I still have my life, and I am not depressed. I did go thru depression when I lost my legs for 2 weeks and couldn't walk at all. Thats when it hit home for me.
Hugs
Morgaine

When I finally got the dx, it was the happiest day I had had in a very long time. Was not depressed at all. Doctors had always told me "it's all in your head". HA HA! It really was.

Now I do get depressed but I can deal with most days.

it depends on what level your disease is at, how much it disables you, etc. And of course how well you adjust mentally. I tend to ignore this disease when I'm feeling good and okay, but its get tough when there is a flare-up like there is now. :(

it affects everyone differently and its as bad as you let it be i deal with each symptom immediately as it happens and take precautions to prevent them from happening it helps me to stay positive about everything but negative seeps in stay well

Soon after I was dx I read this 'I have MS, it doesn't have me'.

for me it depends on how my symptoms are at the time.
m.s. sure has made me treasure the good days!!!

Whatever gets you through the days...personally, I find denial a motivator...let the river keep flowin'!
em

Think ms is what you make it.
If it were me the first thing I would do is see a naturpath & get some advice on diet & supplements. Alot can be done to slow progression & prevent damage.
Lorna

yeah, well, darcie, if nothing else, it sure was a WAKE UP CALL!

I don't know if I was "eating right" all these years, but over the last 5 I surely changed my views on our INput/OUTput ;)

My first attack left me paralized on my left side for about 6 months.(I was 26 years old) My left hand never recovered fully. I've had 5 attacks in 7 years.
One attack hurt like crazy, it was mostly nerve pain. The pain shot thru my body in different areas about every second! It hurt really bad!

For some it's bad, for others, it's not so bad. Hopefully it won't bother you that bad. Don't worry about it. Just take it one day at a time.
God bless you.
Darla

Hi Ippy,
I was dx 2 1/2 years ago. I never think of it, untill some little issue reminds me of it like the pain in my arm or my bad balance. I guess denial would be a good description. I am not depressed either, however I take lexapro to keep my "focused" cause I also have DIabetes and had a heart attack, Yes> all before I turned 40!!!> As Depech Mode said " I think that G-Ds got a sick sense of humor, and when I die I expect to find him laughing!!!". Just smile and keep it under control, dont let it keep you under control>
JON>