Hi, Could We All Introduce Ourselves on this thread?

[hotpepper7777]

Hello fellow MS friends (FAMILY) My name is Linda. I am 52yrs. young and live in southern Louisiana. I was officialy diagnosed in Jan. 2003 after Years of classic? symptoms. My neuro says I have had ms for at least 10-probably more likely 15 yrs. I have 27 lesions on my tiny brain!!! I still work 40 hrs. a week as a Health Information Processor. I have horrible headaches, LOTS of dizziness, Legs feel like jello sometimes, but at least I am still walking. I take avonex because of the convienence, but I get really sick from the shot. Thinking of talking to my Dr. about changing. Appreciate all input I can get from all of you on different meds. Wishing and praying for all of you better health. ( Forgot to mention, I have a wonderful and supportive husband-- just got married in Oct. 2003.

[hotpepper]

s sorry, I'm not a guest, I'm a member-- I'll get used to doing these post eventually. Linda

[crispy]

Hi Linda hotpepper

Welcome to the family and congratulations on your recent marriage. I can't help you much on meds, because I've never taken any, but I'm sure someone will.

Two posts for the price of one, that has to be a good thing because they're a little low on the ground at the moment. I've tried to get a few discussions going, but no luck as yet - people seem so shy

All the very best,
Chris P

[tarren]

Hello everyone! I am a caregiver of someone with MS. My husband was dx's almost one year ago. I can't believe that it has been that long already. We've had a pretty good year, some minor relapses, but mostly acceptance has been the hard part. I think that we might still be in denial (not that that is a bad thing!). He is currently on Swank diet, supplements, excercise, and rest. No CRAB's yet. Anyway, I really like this site and hope to learn alot.

Tara

[crispy]

Hi Tara,

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story with us. As a carer I think you often have a harder time of things, at least if you are to believe what my wife would tell you

The time just flies by, doesn't it? I've been with it for more than 11years now, but life goes on - at least you haven't got crabs to worry about

I really like this site too, so please come back, when you get the chance, to tell us how things are going.

All the very best to you both,
Chris P

[Aikika]

Hi everyone
I go under the name Aikika as a rememberance of the one I used to be. An Aikika, as I'm sure you know, is someone who practices the ancient Japanese art of Aikido - a beautiful flowing form of the martial arts. I used to run my own club in Sheffield UK.
I was diagnosed originally at the age of 17 (I'm now 48) and for 25 years I was in glorious denial, doing as much physical activity as I could fit into my busy life. Then one day I had an accident and all had to stop and the MS just stepped in and took over. At present I'm still mobile - just - and have never taken any medicines. Until this week that is, when I had my first jab of Caprivax. No effect yet, but I'll keep trying and let you know if it really is a miracle cure they claim.

[crispy]

Hi again Aikika,

I guess you must be part of the current trial of Caprivax, so good luck with it.

Thanks for sharing your story with us, we are becoming a great family of friends here

It would be great to know where you are from, so if you feel like updating your profile it would help us get to know each other a little better.

All the best,
Chris P

[perseus]

Greetings,

I've seen this mentioned on numerous posts but I'll say it too - it is refreshing to access an independent and well-organized website about MS.

I was diagnosed with RRMS on Nov. 1st, 2000. Autoimmune diseases, including MS, have been part of my family for three generations now.

Initially I took Avonex and after a relapse tried Rebif. I hate the injections and have stopped taking drugs altogether. I am trying diet and exercise instead, but truthfully I am lacking discipline with both. My neurologist thinks any diet-related therapy, including the recent study about vitamin-D, is "hypothetical" but I would rather try a hypothetical treatment than take those injections.

Nice to meet you all,
perseus

[crispy]

Hi perseus,

Welcome to the best MS site on the Internet, but you've obviously already realised that.

Thanks for sharing your story with us all, we'll look forward to hearing about your progress

All the best,
Chris P

[Suzie]

Hi, I've been here for awhile but not with an intro. My daughter-in-law has had RRMS for about 6 years. She and our son are in their early 30's. I am here to find out as much as I can in order to do whatever I can to support them both. Usually that means just treating them as all other loved ones, and understanding when they have to change plans. Flexibility is not a problem. When she has a severe relapse, we do what we can to provide emotional support and to help with whatever little chores we can. Son works full time and wants to spend what time he has left with her. Wish we lived closer as we are about 5 hours away. Also wish that love could cure you all - then this disease would not exist. It is frustrating for a parent to know that love is not enough.

[crispy]

Hi Suzy,

Glad to meet you and learn about your family. I expect you have already spotted the latest post to the 'Diet? What Colour' thread (in your case I guess that should be 'color') it certainly sounds as though diet is one way to go when dealing with RRMS.

Thanks again for the intro, and the best of luck to you all

All the very best,
Chris P

[Shayk]

Hi! I'm Sharon, 57, dx'd RRMS in 8/03, have done Avonex 8 times now and still feeling the side effects. Still getting used to the idea that I have MS too as a matter of fact...

My major problem is walking, altho I'm still on my feet and still working.

I'm avidly pursuing info on women diagnosed at a later age and whether or not there was any association with being taken off HRT for menopause and the "appearance" of MS in all it's lovely iterations.

I'm quite impressed with this site and those of you who have introduced yourselves! I look forward to "participating", but since I'm still on "dial-up", it's sure to be intermittent...

[crispy]

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for your intro and welcome to the family, it's growing all the time.

Lets hope that things start to improve for you soon

All the best,
Chris P

[Shayk]

Thanks so much for the welcome Chris!

So nice to be chatting with someone in England. I'm in Richmond, Virginia and altho I'm not a native of Virginia, many Virginian's are "close" to all things English.



This site is so sophisticated I'm going to have to get myself up to speed "technologically", as well as in my walking.

Sharon

[crispy]

Hi again Sharon,

I love this forum too - It's amazing to think that I only found it a little over a week ago, yet I have met with so many great people from all over

Anything this good that helps so many has to be worth supporting, and long may it last.

All the very best to everyone,
Chris P