This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello everyone. I have been diagnosed for exactly 122 days now, and my life seems like it is on a painful downward spiral. I am in the military and having MS has been one of the hardest things for me thus far. I have been treated different since the day I was diagnosed by those with a need to know basis ONLY: certain coworkers, family, and a select few number of friends. I was even asked if MS was contagious by a coworker! I have been trying to find a way to manage my symptoms, and side effects without breaking down all the time. There are days where I am like a log and can't get out of bed. My military career is basially over which has really been the hardest thing to accept aside from the fact that I have MS. I am no longer able to keep up with my fellow sailors, and it hurts so bad inside to see them leave me behind in many ways. I am trying to stay positive, but it seems as if the word MS surrounds my every thought. When I am distracted from thinking about my situation, something ALWAYS reminds me of MS no matter the occasion.

Does anyone is this forum feel as if they can't get the thought of having MS out of their minds aslo?

Do any of you feel as if you are alone no matter how hard people close to you try to comfort you?


Any additional help, OR helpful suggestions, and feedback is greatly appreciated!

- Broken sailor

I was diagnosed 7 years ago. I remember the feelings you are going through. I remember coworkers and friends all trying to carry stuff for me when carrying stuff was not where my problems were. They knew very little about MS and that was one way they tried, but it just made me feel weak and angry. I was still strong in a lot of ways. I remember feeling scared and angry and unsupported, but it does get better.

I don't know what your symptoms are or what type of MS you have, but not all symptoms get worse. Because the nature of MS is so sporadic and unpredictable it can be scary, but for the same reasons it can be hopeful. If you have a symptom it can go away too. I had double vision for a month straight and on and off for a year and now I have no double vision and haven't for 4 years.

I know you are feeling like a 'broken sailor' because you are mourning the loss of what you once were. You will still be a sailor, although you might have to be a different sailor than you were or your peers are. Dealing with diagnosis of MS is a grieving process, and though you will have support from people in the way they can support you, this process is mainly a solitary one. I guarantee you though you will be stronger for it when you come out the other side. You will have a kind of strength that your fellow sailors may never achieve.

"The wound is the place where the light enters you." Rumi

Brokensailor –as you requested, I offer my standard action plan suggestion:

First, take a deep breath. You have found many supportive friends at this site. You are not alone, we are here to help in any way we can. We come from diverse experiences and hold diverse ideas; my own personal suspicion is that too much insulin starts the MS cascade. We do not necessarily agree with each other in our thoughts on MS; you will probably not agree with some of us either; we only ask for tolerance when we express unconventional ideas.

From this day forward, I encourage you to eat a healthy diet (a good idea whether or not one has MS). Many people find that diet can influence the symptoms of MS. In my opinion, this means a low-carb diet -- removing all sugar (including beer, wine, etc. which have sugar and trigger insulin production), removing all artificial sweeteners, including sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol, etc. (These promote insulin production, too.), removing all trans fats (These also increase insulin.), and white flour, white bread, white potatoes, white rice (in fact, all carbs so far as possible) from your diet. I think that excess insulin plays a great part in MS and suspect that Fatty Liver Disease is also involved. Diet is important. You may find the account of Dr. Terry Wahls and her dramatic improvement interesting (http://www.TerryWahls.com).

Certainly for me, MS is always on my mind.

By the way, in view of recent reading I have done, I wonder if you know if you received a vaccine against tuberculosis in the battery of inoculations you got the military?

You may find useful information in the forum, "Veterans and MS," in the index: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/veterans-and-ms-f51/
We are glad that you found us; we look forward to your participation. Welcome.

I was was diagnosed with MS 2 months ago, it was a huge shock for me too. But if I let it bring me down and become depressed it would get me in the end. I'm stronger then that and have too much too live for. I wish you would also see the beauty in the world. MS is awful, 4 weeks ago I had a bad fall and broke my shoulder. I have a 7 month old baby. I haven't been able to hold him and look after him. It broke my heart. But I'm still here and I'm not letting the MS win. I have a beautiful baby boy that needs me.

As far as friends and coworkers are concerned, they will never understand what you are going through. This might be wrong but I haven't told anyone except for my family and a few close friends about my MS. It hasn't changed who I am do why do they need to know.

I wish you all the best.