Welcome

Welcome to all who visit this Blog whether you suffer from Multiple Sclerosis or have a loved one who does. Hopefully this will help all who read understand that they are not alone even though MS affects us all in very different ways. Maybe it can help open eyes of those around who do not know the unpredictability of daily life with MS.
The purpose of this blog is to offer support and inspiration. Please feel free to share any useful information that you have gathered along your journey and words of inspiration. It is hard to overcome all the obstacles we must face and it is nice to hear ways people have adapted. Inspirational stories and anectedotes are especially sought after.
If you post and suffer from Vision disabilities you are welcome to post in all capitals and no one will think that you are shouting.
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Monday, January 10, 2011

Chapter 4: Other types of MS

Well I am not very familiar with the 3 other types of MS, so I just will briefly touch on them.
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) is when you basically  have no break in the disease process or very brief periods free from exacerbations.  
Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) initially begins as RRMS, but then the disease process begins to worsen with the person declining neurologically with no or very brief periods of some sort of recuperation. 
Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS) is very rare, but extremely debilitating.  Think of a straight slope down hill, no bumps in the road or stop signs.  Just a straight decline.
There are very few medications to treat these 3 forms other than guess work.  The CNP in my doc's office says they really just throw some medications that have had some sort of good effect on a few people, but really it is more a hopeful venture than not.  Now remember, that I am only writing this based on my understanding so PLEASE do not take this as anything but what it is intended.  PLEASE inform yourself through your own research.  There are very helpful links at the top of my home page.
The other thing that you should take into consideration is that everyone is unique.  Just because someone has the same illness as you does not necessarily mean that you are going to follow their same path.  Our body chemistry is variable which is why some do better on medications than others.  So no matter how bleak things may look when you first get your diagnosis, just know that no one can predict your outcome.  
I believe that people tend to do better when they are hopeful and optimistic.  It's hard to  imagine that, especially in the initial stages, but you can not let yourself fall into the pit of despair.  Life still goes on, it will just have a few more challenges.  It's also okay to grieve. Your life has changed.  You will never be that person that you were before.  Who knows, you may even be better now.  Living life to the fullest has now taken on a new meaning.


http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/living-with-advanced-ms/index.aspx

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