This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

How about a thread for us geezers with MS? (I was diagnosed at 52)

Hi flora!

Good suggestion-- I'll add it next time I do a site update (within a week)!

Thanks Aaron

Flora! Shame on you...."geezers".......

I'm 49! hehehe.........

Flora, there is no WAY that I would ever think of you as an old geezer.

Deb

EDIT: That is a great suggestion, though.

Would this be for ones not dx? I'm 57 and my age seems to be the reason they cannot dx. Seems the brain can have lesions as we get older and no way to tell if MS. I have 2 so not enough and no change in 6 months. My body has more symptoms and it does seem like MS to me. Neuro did rule out a lot of things, says it is neurological but will not dx until he is sure. Seems to have confused him. He is one of the top MS neuro's here and so far feel he is OK. Mine seems to be progressing slowly. Just read the thread re ibuprofen, I have just started taking for the swelling I get in my knees and legs from time to time. Seemed to work and burning was not as bad either. Do not want to take to often because of potential stomach problems.
Have a good day, Linda

I am 61 years of age and refuse to consider myself an "ole geezer". I was diagnosed one year ago. Neuro completed many tests including the MRI without a confirmed diagnosis. MRI showed lesions in brain which they said could have been age related. Next test was the spinal tap which did confirm MS. Follow-up MRI this summer showed no change. I have some weakness in my left leg; exercise and stretching has made a difference. Also, ringing in my ear and a little imbalance once in awhile. I decided against the CRABs because I thought they targeted inflammation, and my MRI's showed no active inflammation. I am more aware of what stress does to my symptoms, therefore, I try to "go with the flow", play golf, take time with the grandkids, and my husband and leave work when it gets to stressing!

An additional note - now that I know what is causing some of my symptoms, I think I could have been diagnosed twenty to thirty years ago.

Sharon

LOL Geezer? Second childhood! Learning to walk without falling, potty training, at 54?

This is my first post here. I'd like to say that there may be a real need for a forum that is friendly to older persons with MS.

I've found several instances of "ageism" on a couple of very large MS boards. Without getting into specifics, they were very clearly statements of hostility toward older persons.

Are we in the way, or what?

Welcome Agate,

Katman is my "stagename", Rica is my real name, I am 67 years old and have PPMS. Please look up my story and try to track us through me to our site that may treat your underlying cause. At C. Pn (cpn) we look at Chlamydua Pneumonia with a very critical eye.

Rica

It's nice to meet you, Rica!

I've gone back and read a number of your posts. I was interested to find out that you've been a violinist.

That's really impressive. I played cello but only in high school, in the orchestra, and that was many years ago. I had more experience with piano but wasn't really professional caliber.

I'll read more of your posts soon!

Good to have you aboard. We just had a discussion about Jacqueline De Pre, the English cellist, who died at 42 of MS.

There are several others of us here on thisisms The ones who come to mind immediately are Sarah Wheldon - Anecdote; Marie Rhodes - MRhodes40; Sojourner - Lexy. If you don't find us, surf the net for antibiotic and MS. We will look for you. The site is CPn Help.org.

Rica

Hi. I'm also older, 59, dx with central nervous system disorder. Inconclusive for MS but think this is what I have. Been 3 1/2 years with slow progression. Have found this site very helpful.
Not on anything but do take Vit.C,D, salmon oil, do yoga, have an organic farm with sales in the summer which keeps me active physically, walk with a stick for distance, looking into weight bearing exercises I can do, (maybe with the ball you sit on), and do water works for people with ailments in the winter and spring. Already do some things with the ball, like sit at the computor. Welcome, Linda

Katman, I'll look up the discussion on Jacqueline du Pre. I've heard a lot of recordings of her cello playing, I read a book about her, and I saw the movie about her.

pinda, that's interesting about the ball you sit on. That has to be one of those large balls--?

I was having physical therapy a couple of years ago, for about 2 months, and one of the routines the therapist had me doing was sitting on a very large ball. Well, I promptly fell off it, onto the floor.

It was just another of my stupid falls, and I wasn't hurt in the least. But the therapist turned pale and said, "Gee! I've never had anybody FALL before!"

I try to exercise every day. Even though I never was athletic, I am fairly sure that the exercise is helping my mobility, balance, and coordination.

Agate, yes, it is a large ball. Fortunately I have not fallen off. Do have balance problems but OK for the ball. I cannot stand with feet together, on one foot etc. without falling. The more I walk the more problems I have with balance and mobility hence the stick I use. Does help to have the stick when I do not see people comeing close to me or do not notice them when they touch me, my legs tend to collapse. Very strange, they appoligize thinking they have pushed me. Take care, Linda

Linda, that is unusual, the way your legs collapse if somebody happens to brush up against you. Could it be an exaggerated "startle" reaction?

I jump out of my skin at every sudden loud noise. As far as I can figure out, it's an exaggerated startle response, probably because of spasticity.

I have problems with people coming up behind me in a store (or anywhere, for that matter). I'm not aware that they're there, I take a backwards step, and suddenly I've stepped on somebody!

I have hearing aids but they aren't much help when it comes to being aware of what's going on behind me.
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I don't want to get in trouble for going off topic in this thread, and so I'll mention that I found the "Golden Years" forum and am glad to see it here.

I have mixed feelings about it. In a way it looks like a form of segregation, sort of like admitting that no younger person could possibly be interested in what "oldsters" have to say, and therefore why not put us off in a corner by ourselves.

On the other hand, maybe what we have to say is so choice that not everyone is entitled to know our pearls of wisdom. Make them work for it! Make them seek out the Golden Years forum and check out our posts!

(I'm mostly joking. I should probably keep my mouth shut since I'm so new here. )