This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

sounds like you are in the most scary post-dx time. if so, it's a frustrating time because you want answers when all there are out there, are statistics.

unfortunately knowing the moment and cause of our own deaths is pretty much just as big a question mark after dx as it was before. the big question is how much learning are you prepared to do and how willing are you to make changes and fight.

welcome to TIMS, you have come to a great place to start learning about the different ways to deal with ms. in my opinion, TIMS is a fighter's board. very few of us are looking at the glass half full and draining fast.

hopefully you'll pick up on the optimism here, once you've gotten through that initial scary limbo stage.

happy reading!
JL

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It depends on the definition of "to die from MS".

The risk of dying directly from MS itself (i.e. by paralysing vital functions due to lesions of the corrosponding brain regions) is very rare.
On the other hand the disabling consequences of MS (like being bedridden or severe sideeffects of drugs) do make the patient vulnerable to potential fatal conditions (e.g. pneumonia).
The prognosis of a patients individual disability progression is very much unclear, but research (drugdevelopment) is moving quick these days, so imo. its reasonable to look to the future with optimism.

You may want to check out the relevant section from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_s ... #Prognosis

All the best
--Frank

Well..... Everything I have read says NO, you will continue to live your full life. My Neuroconcurs with this as well. Now, there is the complications side of things, perhaps, old age, cant get up out of bed and develope pnemonia (sp) and then possibly die from that. I know this is a very elementary way of explaining it but then again, I aint the brightest bulb in the box. I believe the theory (if you want to call it a theory) that when God punches your ticket, your ticket is punched. MS or not.

My husband has been living with MS for 35 years.

Bubba you certainly are a bright light bulb. I always enjoy your wit and sense of humor you use in your posts. Anyway unless your MS was extremely aggressive you generally do not have to worry about dying any earlier then anyone else. As Lyon stated I believe they say we can expect to live 6-8 years on average less then the average person but I hope that changes as treatments become more effective. Remember that is just an estimate. There are people I have met with MS in their 70's so don''t get that number stuck in your head. Please read all the promising research on this forum and I believe you will feel much better about your future. I hope you continue to come to this web site for info. and support.

My neuro doesn't think MS really shortens your life span at all, since all the new medications can really decrease your progression.

Anyway, when I was first diagnosed 6 years ago, all I could think about were negative thoughts and also about dying. It took awhile, but I finally realized that you shouldn't waste your time worrying about dying from MS, you need to think instead about LIVING with MS. And I do mean LIVING! Even when I have flare ups, I do everything I can to make sure it doesn't interfere with getting on with my life.

For example, I am currently blind in my left eye from probable optic neuritis caused by my MS. However, although I am very hopeful my eyesight will return, I only took a few days off from work, then found alternate transportation so I could get back to my life. I have since taught myself how to drive one-eyed (don't come at me on my left! LOL) and have been on 2 trips with my husband.

What I'm trying to say is, do all the research, keep up on new things, and visit this board and others when you need support, but don't let worrying about MS and the future consume your life. Live your life and work MS in only when you have to.

Take care!

Kathryn

BTW, I've also been in counseling for about 5 years - that helps alot too!

My girlfriend asked me, "If I could tell you how and when you were going to die, would you want to know?"

I said no.

Then she said, "Never mind then"

Out2l8 wrote:My girlfriend asked me, "If I could tell you how and when you were going to die, would you want to know?"

I said no.

Then she said, "Never mind then"

I believe I would sleep with one eye open if I were you!

LMAO @ Bubba

Well, you probably won't die from MS, but do be careful going up and down stairs. I fell up and downstairs a few times, till I learned not to gallop up and down two at a time as I used to. If this gets to be a problem, install a few handrails and make sure the light is bright enough to see where you are going. Some people fall over their rugs a lot, all you can do is get rid of them.

A guy I know nearly killed himself when his foot decided to spasm off the clutch while at traffic lights. After that he got an car with automatic gearbox. If you feel you are not safe to drive, then don't. Some days I am just too dopey.