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MS with kids

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 5:11 pm
by thebean
Hi recently diagnosis with MS, I have always wanted a family and can't see my life without one..trouble is I don't have a husband and also concerned about how to go about having a child with the financial challenges. Has anyone adopted or become a parent in such a circumstances, looking for help as I don't want to lose hope.....

Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 6:59 pm
by jimmylegs
welcome to TIMS, bean. you'll find lots of help and advice here, i'm sure :)

Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 11:15 am
by Wonderfulworld
Hi thebean
welcome to TIMS.

I remember feeling exactly the same when I was diagnosed (nearly 12 years ago) but I was with a guy that wasn't a long-term partner in retrospect. I waited a few years to see how my MS would develop. It was bad for about 4 years, then it improved, and I had my son nearly 10 years after diagnosis - he's 2years old now and having him was the best thing I ever did, despite it being hard to manage with MS at times. I am glad I waited because I married a great man and I cannot imagine managing without him. I suspect it could be very tough on you to be a single parent with MS if you didn't have a lot of support and help, including perhaps paid help at times when MS is bad (like with housework) - life is hard enough with MS, being a parent with MS is harder (but very very enjoyable). I hope you don't mind me being so honest but that's just my take on my situation, not yours.

I suppose it ultimately depends on how your MS effects you, what kind of pattern it has or hasnt', what support you have, how much money you have, where you live, your age, friends and family living near etc..............

Good luck and hope you're adjusting ok to living with MS.

Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 5:02 pm
by hlm286
I was diagnosed last June. At the time, my daughter was 15 months old. I too was worried about how the diagnosis would affect my future and my plans for wanting more children. At my first appointment with the MS clinic, my neurologist and I discussed the different treatment options. I said that we wanted to have more children and my neurologist was so supportive! They told me that pregnancy usually relieves MS symptoms and that "having children was more important for me than any medication they could give me". Needless to say I was thrilled to have their support and I too believe that you shouldn't give up your dreams, especially something as important as having children. I couldn't imagine my life without my daughter, she makes life worth living and brings so much enjoyment and love to my life, she's the greatest blessing in the world. And I am pregnant now and due in June ( we started trying right after my meeting with the clinic). New studies have shown that breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk of postpartum relapses (this is one concern with pregnancy, as they say your chances of relapse can increase in the first 6 months postpartum.) There is so much new imformation and studies out there now supporting having children after a MS diagnosis, please don't feel like you have to give up your dreams of having a family. You never know what will happen in life, with MS or not, you just have to take things one day at a time and live each day to the fullest. Good luck! :)

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 4:49 pm
by msgator
I was diagnosed with MS at 24 and had always wanted a family. I have since my diagnosis gotten married and had two children, now almost 6 and almost 2.

I definitely felt good during my pregnancies and nursed both my kids and never had the post pregnancy flare up. While I think I am a more than adequate mother I can't run or ride bikes with my kids and am glad my husband can do those things.

I don't know if i could do it alone.

Don't eliminate having a family just because of your diagnosis. especially with CCSVI there is so much hope today.

:)

Ann