REPOSTING: Common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Today I am going to discuss the common symptoms of MS along with my personal symptoms.

Life & LTC insurance with MS

I was lucky enough to get private life insurance before my MS diagnosis - barely. I don't think I could get it now. At least I have piece of mind that if something happens to me and I lose my job and work life insurance - that she will be covered. The only thing I wish I had was Long Term Care (LTC) insurance. I think the premiums would be too big now that I have an official diagnosis.

Does anyone have experience in either life insurance or LTC insurance after a MS diagnosis?

What medicine are you using?

Just a quick survey...I am on Copaxone, and it seems to be working. I will post the results in a few weeks. .

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Common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Today I am going to discuss the common symptoms of MS along with my personal symptoms.

Common Symptoms of MS

Symptoms of MS vary from person to person. These symptoms also very in severity, and may not be constant. They may come and go without warning or reason. They can be invisible to other people, or visible.

Invisible	Visible
· Muscle stiffness · Vision problems · Fatigue · Numbness or “pins & needles” in extremities · Pain or discomfort · Bladder issues · Cognitive problems	· Foot drop · Tremors · Lack of coordination · Lack of fine motor skills · Loss of balance · Cognitive problems · Complete or partial paralysis · Heat sensitivity

My Symptoms

 

Current: Hopefully the medications help me get rid of some of these symptoms

• Sexual dysfunction - The most fun of all for a 34 year old married man who is deeply in love with his wife. It is too depressing to even discuss beyong what I just wrote.
• Bladder issues: Increased frequency and difficulty emptying my bladder
• Fatigue: fatigue that isn’t due to lack of sleep, my entire body shuts down
• Cognitive problems: forgetful and slow processing information
• Foot drop of left foot, looks like I am dragging my foot at times
• Balance issues: I walk all over the place and into things. I often stumble or fall
• Muscle weakness: My knee or knees will give out on me at random times
• Heat sensitivity: If I get overheated or too hot, all my symptoms get worse especially vision, fatigue, balance, and foot drop

Past: The fact that a few symptoms have subsided gives me hope that the Copaxone is working.

• Numbness in my hands and fingers, and sometimes my legs - This one was a fun one. I kept dropping small items (pens, keys) or couldn't pick them up. I was really happy when this subsided
• Pain: Constant pain and discomfort all over - Another fun one that has mostly subsided.
• Muscle stiffness in legs and banding in the abdomen (MS Hug)  - This still happens randomly, primarily in the summer
• Fine motor skills decrease: It is hard to type, hold smaller objects, tie my shoes, button my shirt - Nothing makes you feel better about yourself than having difficulty buttoning a dress shirt!

 

Are there different types of MS?

There are 4 different types of Multiple Sclerosis. They are characterized by disease progression and it is common for a person with one type to transition to another type over the course of a lifetime.

Quick points on MS

Here are some quick facts or frequently asked questions that I put together for my family when I told them. Growing up, I had never really heard of MS, so I assumed my family wasn't really knowledgeable either. Some of this may be too basic, but I thought I would share anyways

Mavericks G Wright joins team while battling MS

Mavericks G Wright joins team while battling MS http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/9049301/chris-wright-dallas-mavericks-deals-multiple-sclerosis

Inspirational - If he can withstand the rigors of the NBA, I can deal with my everyday life.

Welcome to my first blog post! (3/14/2013)

Hello everyone! I am glad you decided to visit my blog.

I decided to start this blog late last night as I was tossing and turning. I want to be able to express myself, share my frustrations and any tips that I may learn for dealing with MS.