Greetings!

[blacknite3]

I am new to this forum, but have been living with MS since 2011. I consider it a mild case because it doesn't really impact my abilities yet (a lot of numbness and tingling in my left hand and leg, but no real loss of function... I'd say 98% functionality).

Given the unique nature of the disease and how everyone experiences symptoms differently, I haven't had much interest or need to reach out to others for support. I just want to deal with my unique brand of MS as it comes to me.

That being said, I might have a few more questions in the future to bounce of others who might be able to relate. My wife, understandably, can't sympathize with me, and my neurologist is awesome but doesn't have the first hand experience to answer some of these questions.

I've been on Rebif since 2011 and have had no flare-ups since my initial diagnosis. Most of the lesions in that initial MRI have vanished and there have been no activity so far in any of the following MRIs.

Now, I'll go ask my first question in the appropriate sub-forum, if I can find the right spot

Thanks!
Patrick

[jimmylegs]

welcome to the forum!

[Youarethecure]

Welcome, how old are you and what were your first symptoms?

I hope to be in the same "mild" boat as you as I showed my first few symptoms at 19, then a lot more at 25 (a few months ago). But none of these issues even began to take a step out of my day which is working 12 hour kitchen shifts and weight lifting/exercising through a week.

It is a very individual disease and the way we handle is even more individual. This is what we make of it.

[blacknite3]

I'm 36 and began showing my first symptoms after an ankle injury in late 2010. I started to feel numbness and tingling in my feet and it was initially attributed to the ankle injury (the joys of the healing process). Looking back, the ankle injury was probably caused by a sudden and momentary loss of mobility as I hopped off the bumper of a car I was working on.

I left my first neurologist appointment feeling like my life was over. He did not have a great bedside manner. Then I went to a specialist in Charlotte (2 hours from where I live) and she changed everything for me. I'm not kidding! Her optimism about the future of the disease and the outlook for my future made all the difference. I remember tearing up when, while talking about my then 4-year-old, "I'm supposed to be superman!" And thanks to her, I still am

I've had some ups and downs, but no flare ups and no more injuries (at least none that I can blame on MS ).

Thanks!
Patrick

[Youarethecure]

Awesome, being positive is well over half the battle against this.

[sophie447]

Hello Patrick,

I just had to post! My MS too started after an ankle injury (tri malleolar fracture... ouch!). It actually started just a week after my second surgery which was performed to remove the lovely screws and plate that had been put in a year before.

I too seem to have a mild case, although I do think the numbness in my feet is probably slowly getting worse. Just got to deal with it.

See you around.
Sophie