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Experience Project.
Joined: Mar 09, 2007 Posts: 17 Location: New England
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: Newbie on the block
Hi all! Great to find you. I've been lurking for a couple of days to get the jist of this place and have been very impressed with everyone. My history is that I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus at 14 years old and attributed many of the signs of MS to that for some time.
Ten years later, at 24 years old, I was hospitalized with temp. leg paralysis, vertigo, L'hermites... you know the drill. Anyway... a year later, I've tried Rebif, Copaxone, Betaserone and now Avonex and am doing well on Avonex. I'm now 25, living quite well with HUGE life changes (I was a perfectionist, an overachiever, a workaholic and chronic non-sleeper). I am finishing my Masters degree in 3 years instead of 1 as I had planned, substitute teaching instead of full-time teaching in order to help my sleep/doctor/health schedule, and sometimes let the dishes stay in my sink overnight.
With the help from my AMAZING husband (who I met, dated, moved in with and then married SINCE I was diagnosed last year... there is hope for a love life even at the most desperate of times!!) I have become someone who can sleep late, take a day off whenever I feel like it, and essentially live the good life with only minimal guilt for cancelling plans with friends becuase I'm tired.
I'm stoked to have a group of peers on here because I live day to day without most people knowing I have MS. I come from a medical background (parents, sibling, grew up in hospitals due to Lupus) and have a lot of general health knowledge, but still feel baffled by this disease. Despite carrying a cane from time-to-time, having balance problems, minimal speech trouble, and chronic fatigue, I live the life of a fairly normal 25-year-old dynamo.
The more I read about all of you... I wonder seriously if this is a disease of the over-acheiving and perfectionists?!! There is certainly a link to running your body into the ground and health... however... it seems to be even more serious with MS folks. Anyway, excited to read more about all of you in the coming weeks!! _________________ "Some women aren't meant to be tamed... we are meant to run free until we find someone just as wild to run with"
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 3393 Location: Mid-Michigan
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:
Sorry about your reason to be here, but welcome here anyway.
Quote:
The more I read about all of you... I wonder seriously if this is a disease of the over-acheiving and perfectionists?!! There is certainly a link to running your body into the ground and health... however... it seems to be even more serious with MS folks.
There likely is some truth to stress and running your body into the ground but the reason there are so many overachievers and smart people here probably has more to do with those being the people you would expect to find at a site like this....wanting...NEEDING to educate themselves and play an active role.
The people with ms who aren't registered on thisisms?? Those are the lazy, not too bright people whose conspicuous lack of underrepresentation you have noted It's probably safe to say that the people with ms who don't visit thisisms are likely ugly and smell bad too.
I know that was a terrible thing to say but what they don't know can't hurt them...right?
Bob _________________ Wife diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2006 and is a participant in the Tovaxin IIb clinical trial.
Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 12 Location: southeastern NC, US
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:32 am Post subject: Hello!
Wow- you sound like a great person from your intro- good attitude.
Look forward to reading future postings from you.
I am also a recovering perfectionist so your note really hit home for me.
I would love to hear more about how you are dealing with the daily challenges, especially with work issues. I have yet to "come out" to bosses and co-workers, yet, like you, my husband and family have been so awesome.
Thanks for joining ThisIsMs!
Beck _________________ Beck
Joined: Feb 02, 2004 Posts: 864 Location: California, USA
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject:
welcome! Love your attitude _________________ Disclaimer: Any information you find on this site should not be considered medical advice. All decisions should be made with the consent of your doctor, otherwise you are at your own risk.
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Anyway... a year later, I've tried Rebif, Copaxone, Betaserone and now Avonex and am doing well on Avonex. I'm now 25, living quite well with HUGE life changes (I was a perfectionist, an overachiever, a workaholic and chronic non-sleeper). I am finishing my Masters degree in 3 years instead of 1 as I had planned, substitute teaching instead of full-time teaching in order to help my sleep/doctor/health schedule, and sometimes let the dishes stay in my sink overnight.
