How does MS affect someone's lifestyle?
101309
The short answer to your question is, yes, a person with MS can be in a loving, productive relationship.\n\nIn fact, a HEALTHY relationship can be benificial to a person with MS.\n\nMS basically prevents the brain from speaking to the rest of the body, you end up with a lack of movement, decreased mobility, shakes, and the like.\n\nFor lack of a better term, MS Sucks, and anyone who has seen it first hand would support stem cell research which will eventually lead to a cure for it.\n\nBesides the 'illness' of MS, the worst thing about it is likely depression, suicide is common... and depression, grief, anger and any other number of emotions can occur.\n\nA Loving relationship will always help, and be welcome in any persons life, not just someone with MS.\n\nOne side note, stress can make MS worse... as can excitement.\n\nIt is best for a person with MS to do their best to life a stress free, comfortable life.\n\nI hope this helps.
866373
That depends on the person.  The health of an individual depends on many things including the environment the person was exposed to (smog, smoking, alcohol use etc.) It also depends on the family history of the individual.
43214
If you want to continue with your studies you should.  You may find the need to have accomodations and rest. I know of a nurse practitioner with MS. Just remember that each person has their own set of difficulties with this condition. I know a couple who got married almost two years ago,the guy has severe symptoms of MS. It takes a special person to deal with it,but it is possible. There is a great chance you will live for a regular amount of time. Stay positive! It is not a death sentence.
138626
MS is not contagious.  If you have family members that have MS, you are at higher risk of developing MS, but the increased risk is still very low.  You can not prevent the disease from developing, nor do you suppress your immune system.  They have immuno modulator therapies available to take once you get the diagnosis, but they are not suppressors.
729508
Why do you need a specialist.  Any qualified neurologist can diagnose MS through testing.  To look for one that has a special interest in MS just check out the docs referernces where it tells what his special intersts are.  If you think you may have it see a neurologist and get tested.
14875
No, multiple sclerosis is not associated with heart attacks. However, recent research has shown that medication that lowers cholesterol (statins -- which also prevent heart attack) can also help with MS.
734773
MS - Multiple Sclerosis\n\nNo one with MS suffer with the same symptoms which makes things really hard. Anxiety could be part of the emotions that you feel.\n\nHave a look at either the MS Society or MS Trust website
171000
Here's what I found:\n\nAs a result of the inflammatory, demyelinating process in the central nervous system, people with MS can experience a wide variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include:\n\nFatigue (also called MS lassitude to differentiate it from tiredness resulting from other causes)\n\nProblems with walking\n\nBowel and or bladder disturbances\n\nVisual problems\n\nChanges in cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving\n\nAbnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and needles"\n\nChanges in sexual function\n\nPain\n\nDepression and/or mood swings\n\nLess common symptoms include:\n\nTremor\n\nIncoordination\n\nSpeech and swallowing problems\n\nImpaired hearing\n\nAll of these are considered primary symptoms of MS because they are a direct result of demyelination, the destruction of myelin—the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers in the central nervous system—and of damage to the nerve fibers themselves. Demyelination and neuronal damage impair transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and other organs, resulting in impaired function. Many of these symptoms can be managed effectively with medication, rehabilitation, and other management strategies. \n\nIn addition to the primary symptoms caused by demyelination, there are other types of problems or complications that can occur as indirect results of the primary symptoms or the experience of having a chronic illness:\n\nSecondary symptoms of MS are complications that can arise as a result of the primary symptoms. For example, bladder dysfunction can cause repeated urinary tract infections. Inactivity can result in loss of muscle tone and disuse weakness (not related to demyelination), poor postural alignment and trunk control, decreased bone density (and resulting increased risk of fracture), and shallow, inefficient breathing. Immobility can lead to pressure sores. While secondary symptoms can be treated, the optimal goal is to avoid them by treating the primary symptoms.\n\n\nTertiary symptoms of MS are the social, vocational and emotional complications associated with the primary and secondary symptoms. The diagnosis of a chronic illness can be damaging to self-esteem and self-image. A person who becomes unable to walk or drive may lose his or her livelihood. The strain of dealing with a chronic neurologic illness may disrupt personal relationships. People with MS frequently experience emotional changes as well, but it is important to note that mood swings and depression can occur as primary, secondary, or tertiary symptoms of the disease. Professional assistance from psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and public health agencies is indicated for managing many of these psychosocial and vocational issues.\n\nIt is important to remember that not every person with MS experiences all of these symptoms. Some people may experience only one or two of them over the course of the disease, while others experience quite a few. Symptoms can come and go quite unpredictably, and no two people experience them in exactly the same way. Most of the symptoms of MS can be effectively managed, and complications avoided, with regular care by a neurologist and allied health professionals.
386612
Go to webmd.com and look up the symptoms for Multiple Sclerosis and compare what that says to what you are feeling.  Do you get the shocks when you bend your head down forward?\n\nGood luck  :)
568841
It can do. it effects different people in different ways. some loose weight and some put on weight.
1110208
I do not have MS, but my first husband did and my sister-in-law has it.  There are a lot of support groups for MS and if you contact them, I'm sure you could get on line with other people.  Also, going to the group meetings are very helpful.  My brother ran a group years ago and people helped each other with ideas, medical info, and personal support, etc.  Your doctor or hospital can put you in touch with a contact person.  I wish you strength and I'll say a prayer for  you.  Keep a positive attitude and stay busy.
892818
they can get any job that they want.  \n\nA friend of mine has MS and she's a medical technologist, I also know people diagnosed with MS who are accountants and Marketing directors.\n\nYou just need to know your limitiations, take your meds and watch out for stress.
393531
SSI, Disability, Welfare till you get one of those.  Get some food stamps.  If you been going to the doctor or hospital they'll apply you for medicaid (at least hospital will).  \n\nThere is a foundation for MS, here's one.  Ask at a church or welfare office or social security office to find out more about resources for you.\n\nWelcome to The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation..."Helping Make a... \nProvides highly informative presentations on a wide range of MS topics ... This site is funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation as a free public service ...\n\nhttp://www.msfacts.org/
319070
The actual MS cycle is regulated by the moon cycle. Your body reacts to this, if your diet, exercise and other activities of normal living are normal. Unless your health habits are way out of wack it is normal, to start a couple days before the new cycle of the moon. If it is a bother check with your gynecologist.  Hope this helps.
858433
multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). \nSymptoms of MS may mimic many other neurologic disorders. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions.\n\nA history of at least two attacks separated by a period of reduced or no symptoms may indicate one pattern of attack/remission seen in MS (known as relapsing-remitting pattern). If there are observable decreases in any functions of the central nervous system (such as abnormal reflexes), the diagnosis of MS may be suspected.\n\nExamination by the health care provider may show focal neurologic deficits (localized decreases in function). This may include decreased or abnormal sensation, decreased ability to move a part of the body, speech or vision changes, or other loss of neurologic functions. The type of neurologic deficits usually indicates the location of the damage to the nerves.\n\nEye examination may show abnormal pupil responses, changes in the visual fields or eye movements, nystagmus (rapid eye movements) triggered by movement of the eye, decreased visual acuity, or abnormal findings on a fundoscopy (an examination of the internal structures of the eye).\n\nTests that indicate or confirm multiple sclerosis include:\n\n    * head MRI scan that shows scarring or a new lesion\n    * spine MRI scan that shows scarring or a new lesion\n    * lumbar puncture (spinal tap)\n    * CSF oligoclonal banding\n    * CSF IgG index
1100370
You don't see any results. \nTaking Avonex is like wearing your seat belt in your car. \nIf you drive a car and don't wear a seat belt, you might be in an accident and get hurt - or you might not be in an accident.\nIf you have MS and don't take treatment, you might have more frequent or more severe exacerbations - or you might not.\nThis might be the hardest part of MS - you just don't know.\n\nI was diagnosed in 1995 but didn't start treatment until 2000. The fact that your DR. has put you on Meds so soon after your diagnosis might be an indication that the Dr sees something you can't.\nDon't give up on Avonex just because you feel lousy. The side effects do get less severe over time, I promise. \n\nThe drug is offered in pre-mixed or you mix it. I started with the kind I mixed and then switched to pre-mixed thinking it would be better. Wrong! My husband hated the pre-filled syringes because it felt like he had to push the plunger really hard. And my side effects started all over again when I switched, and then AGAIN when I switched back. Right now, if I sleep through the night and don't wake up during the fever, I'm really OK after a shower and a cup of coffee the next morning.\n\nDon't forget to pre-medicate. Some say Tylenol, some say Advil. Try both and see what works for you.\nKeep a big jug of ice water (with a lid!!) by your bed for when you wake up thinking you could drink a gallon. I found it best to have water waiting for me handy because I'd wake up dying of thirst and not really be able to figure out how to go about taking care of it...\n\nI would say to you "Don't let MS become who you are" or "You might have MS, but it doesn't have you" but, I won't say those things because I would have wanted to slap the person who said them to me.  But, don't let this become an all-encompassing thing that rules all your decisions. You are still the same person you were 5 months ago (before you knew) and you can still do the same type things you did then - you just might want to be a little more careful if balance issues are a problem, and be wary of extreme heat.\n\nFor good literature, reaources, and connections, contact your local chapter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They can hook you up.
528075
Multiple sclerosis is a disease caused by multiple areas of scarring in the white matter of the brain, causing loss of neural transmission or short circuiting, misdirection of neural transmission.  The symptoms can be quite varied among individuals with the disease, depending on WHERE in the brain their particular lesions are.  Malfunctioning neurologic symptoms can be blurring or double vision, loss of sensory of motor function in any variety of constellations.  \n\nSUMMARY:  It varies with the individual.