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Im a newbie...I don't have MS but my sister does. We've lived together for about 6 months now cause she got a new job that was close to where I live, and I think she's been diagnosed about a year.

Does MS effect personality cause my sister can be happy and social one minute and then bite people's head's off 5 seconds later. It's got to the point where my room-mate has moved out cause she can't take it anymore, which has meant more financial pressure. No-one will come over and visit cause they don't know what to expect.

I really want to help her but everything I do seems to be wrong...which is why I thought talking on this site might help because I can get a perspective from those who have experienced what she has.

Help!

hi there, here's an article to read:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... i_n8928332

and i think ginkgo biloba can help with cognitive and vitamin d with mood. for vitamin d it should probably be 4000IU per day right now if you're in the northern hemisphere.

hope that helps

Welcome to the site. Input from carers and family is nice to see.

As I'm sure all here will agree MS screws up your mind (there are days when I cant think of anything but my condition and its consequences) and we all cope or adjust day-by-day in our own ways. If you are in the US or UK lookup the Expert Patients Programme I think it will help your sis with the adjustment to living with a chronic disease.


http://test.nhsepp.org/public/default.aspx (in the England and Wales if you can find a course it is free).

John was like that at first but I believe the mood swings are fueled more by fear of the unknown. Get her to a support group so that she can put a visual face on MS.Go with her and ask questions as the first few meetings John only said his name as he didn't want to be like THEM. His words not mine. So I introduced myself as the wife with the husband in denial. His nickname became denial at first but soon he was right in there. Although the first couple of meetings are daunting and even depressing it's only because she won't have looked past the disease into the souls of the other's who have it. Once she sees there are real people behind the disease it seems to become easier. Also she should look at trying to get some sort of control maybe start testing for allergies as well as better food choices. Vitamin d3 and the 3 is important as that is a natural source is between 2000iu-4000iu per day according to Dr. Paul O'Connor(who you can google up at St. Mikes in Toronto)I'd also encourage her to study omega 3 and get more of that in her diet. Does your sister have any of the following Restless leg,leaky gut,fatigue,eczema,allergies,heat intolerance,pain excess gas or bloating and a host of other's that I can't think of right now? It's all relevant IMO to what path you need to take to get some control. There are lots of herbs and foods that compliment each other. There is so much information on this site and sometimes it's more the bouncing of ideas off each other that gives me something new to look at. Now this might seem harsh but an observation I've made at support groups with couples is some seem to mix up support with pity. Don't baby her and don't be frightened to tell her when she is harsh with people. Above all remember she hasn't changed she is still the same sister. Now she needs to get back to that. God bless

yes d3 in particular, not d2 for instance. and i agree about the omega 3 as well. not that i disagree about anything else ;)

Thanks for your help guys, it means alot. So do you think the MS personality stuff is real? Man, if I bring that up with her she's liable to disembowel me . Ive done a bit of reading and this article really nails it on the head with her http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/c ... ll/13/1/70

friutloop wrote: Man, if I bring that up with her she's liable to disembowel me . http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/c ... ll/13/1/70

Sorry can't stop laughing

i cried like a baby when my first attack got me! it is sure terrifying. but ya, i'd say that there are problems in ms that can affect people's mood, just ask bromley and robbie . and i mean all this time i thought i was just a bitch, but turns out i'm sick so that's okay, i can treat the problem hehehe

you don't have to bring up those supplements as fixers for the personality stuff. the vitamin d3 also regulates an immune system out of whack and the ginkgo biloba helps blood flow, so delivery of nutrients. it's all good you can probably avoid evisceration.

Hi there. Your sister is v lucky to have you care enough to try to find out more. Personally speaking I would not show that article to your sister. It focuses on physical degeneration as a reason for changes in behaviour rather than the emotional impact of being diagnosed with an uncurable disease. She may not be ready to address that right now and it may not be the root cause of her mood swings.
I believe that all of us who have ms will admit to being affected at times by the emotional rollercoaster. The negative end of that includes anger about the unfairness of it all. Much of that anger is transferred to the people nearest to us. I have read it here - the understandable resentment at family members fighting fit at 90 and those who have neglected or abused their health but don't have ms whereas the health junkies do. As an mser I want my life to be "business as usual" with a little extra understanding. Ask her to talk about how she's feeling or why she's reacting in a particular way or pushing people away. Taking on that role is v hard and demands great personal resources too.
Muu

whatever...she's moved out...her choice...I was left a note. I guess maybe she'll contact when she's ready Some how I'm the one feeling like shit! It's not fair...all I want to do is be a good sister and care about her and she says she feels uncomfortable...what do I do???

This is worse than being disembowelled!

friutloop wrote:This is worse than being disembowelled!

I'D say. What exactly happened when you talked? First don't feel like shit she just isn't ready to hear what you have to say nor does it appear she is through the anger and acceptance period. Where did she move to so quick??? Sending hugs for you and it will all work out just be there when she is ready.

Sounds like your sister has gone into hiding to lick her wounds. She'll make contact when she feels strong enough or when she feels a little more in control. There's little you can do right now. Just be there when she needs you. I wish you all the best.
Muu

fruitloop-- welcome to the site-- it's great that you support your sister so strongly through this.