New Members To The MS Forum....Please Introduce Yourselves!

[Kitty]

Hi ladies and welcome to NeuroTalk. Yes, your symptoms do sound extremely familiar. You've found a great group of MSers here......hope you'll stay and join in.

[gpridgen46]

Originally Posted by babycakes

Hi. I've enjoyed rrying to eading this for the first time... I have M.S., R.A. and am currently at a point where it's taking everything I have in me just to continue to work my very full time job. Between the MSFatigue (I like the 'one word' suggestion) , the cognitive issues and the falls where I break things (wrist, ankle, lumbar/sacral, knee, my pride, etc), things are not going very well these days.... Folks at work have no idea the amnount of extra energy I'm having to exert just to 'cover up' the fact that I'm having such challenges. Know what I mean?

Oh Babycakes,

You are having a time of it. And since it is getting so bad maybe try to to cover up any more at work. Have you talked to them about going part time or working some from home?

Geri

[Neurophile]

A little more than five years ago, my son was in a car wreck which has changed not only his life but the life of our family, as well. As I have spent countless hours over the years researching in the hope of finding solutions for his intractable pain I stumbled upon the importance of neurotransmitters and their application to an amazing array of various, seemingly unconnected, disorders and diseases. As a result, I have concluded that an imbalance or shortage of neurotransmitters is often either the cause of many health problems or at least exacerbates them. What's more, it is truly amazing how quickly the body can and will respond to efforts at rebalancing/restoring them...

[babycakes]

Hi. Thank you! Yes, I've been working from home 2 days a week for quite some time... I just recently requested and was approved to work 3 days a week.... I work so hard, regardless of whether it's at home or the office, and my job is pretty stressful.... It seems that I use any energy I have to make sure no one can tell (except for my close friend there) what a hard time I'm having... Your suggestion makes perfect sense... My Mother said the same thing just this week! I had finally told my boss, but she is very cold and so I kept it very high level, no low level details... She is very unemotional, so I told her just the bare info she needed to know... I still don't think she 'gets it' though. I've thought about even requesting to get put on the next layoff list... I love my career so much... it's heartbreaking to think I wouldn't have it anymore, but I know I can't keep doing this... so thanks for that suggestion. I guess I need to hear that. My neurologist has also told me maybe I'm killing myself to do something that I really shouldn't be doing anymore.....I thnk another part of it is that I've been kind of a 'rock star' there for years and now I would have to possibly leave on a bad note, leaving behind a less than stellar 'legacy'... I know that's all ego and pride and I need to drop it, but I've worked so hard in this man's world to get where I'm at... and now I may need to stop covering and start letting my flaws show... I guess that what it comes down to.... that's hard for some reason. 'm on my own and also my son is still depending on me, so not sure what I would do... but I better start figuring it out..... Thanks for the kind words and for the encouragement. It means a lot. - Denise (babycakes)

Originally Posted by gpridgen46

Oh Babycakes,

You are having a time of it. And since it is getting so bad maybe try to to cover up any more at work. Have you talked to them about going part time or working some from home?

Geri

[gpridgen46]

Originally Posted by babycakes

Hi. Thank you! Yes, I've been working from home 2 days a week for quite some time... I just recently requested and was approved to work 3 days a week.... I work so hard, regardless of whether it's at home or the office, and my job is pretty stressful.... It seems that I use any energy I have to make sure no one can tell (except for my close friend there) what a hard time I'm having... Your suggestion makes perfect sense... My Mother said the same thing just this week! I had finally told my boss, but she is very cold and so I kept it very high level, no low level details... She is very unemotional, so I told her just the bare info she needed to know... I still don't think she 'gets it' though. I've thought about even requesting to get put on the next layoff list... I love my career so much... it's heartbreaking to think I wouldn't have it anymore, but I know I can't keep doing this... so thanks for that suggestion. I guess I need to hear that. My neurologist has also told me maybe I'm killing myself to do something that I really shouldn't be doing anymore.....I thnk another part of it is that I've been kind of a 'rock star' there for years and now I would have to possibly leave on a bad note, leaving behind a less than stellar 'legacy'... I know that's all ego and pride and I need to drop it, but I've worked so hard in this man's world to get where I'm at... and now I may need to stop covering and start letting my flaws show... I guess that what it comes down to.... that's hard for some reason. 'm on my own and also my son is still depending on me, so not sure what I would do... but I better start figuring it out..... Thanks for the kind words and for the encouragement. It means a lot. - Denise (babycakes)

Denise,

It is hard when we still have young ones at home, my husband and I just got custody of our Granddaughter (6 years old) and then I get another attack. As for what you are to do? Check out disability. YOu have worked for a long time and you deserve it. You may get denied the first time based upon income, but then appeal it and have the Doc fill out the forms for medical reasons. You should get it. Just keep fighting that battle. You can apply on line first and then check what you would get per month. Remember you will get around $600 per month for your son also. And you should get medical insurance also. Also there are organizations and the drug companies that will provide your medications for free or greatly reduced prices. Also you may be able to get into a study group and then all the tests and such are taken care of. Check out your state and see what studies are going on close by.

Keep posting, and venting, it helps!

Geri

[KittyLady]

Just wanted to introduce myself. I was dx rrms when I was 22yrs old in 1992. I was married and had 2 little girls at the time. I was horrified. There was no meds for MS at that time, so I just went on with life as normal as possible.

I had another baby a year later and the only thing MS related that happend was I couldnt move my legs after for a few days and then all was normal again. It was like that mostly for the past 20 yrs. Little flares with nothing much to talk about. But that all changed this past October when I had a HUGE flare. Litterally knocked me off my feet. Couldnt walk, blurred vision, slurring speech, falling down. It was horrible.

Had my first dose of solumedrol, ever! I then turned around and had another huge flare in December. Another round of solumedrol and doc suggested I start a dmd. So, copaxone it was. Ive been on that for 2 months now, and hating it. I have permanent disability in my legs and right sided weakness.

I have experienced that horrible MS hug, and now have constant spasms in my legs. I use a walker and cane, and have to use those lovely store motor carts to go shopping, but hey, at least I can still go shopping! I cant work anymore, and that I really dont miss, but I sure do miss driving. Cant do that anymore either. But thats ok, I had been in 2 accidents because of my cog fog, which I didnt realize I had yet. Well, thanks for listening, and I hope I didnt bore anyone

[SallyC]

Welcome KittyLady. You are my Daughter's age, who also has MS. What fun huh...Not!

Come on in and make your self at home. Most here are snoozing aready, except for the Aussies, who are just getting up..

See you tomorrow..

[Dejibo]

welcome! glad you found us.

[Kitty]

Hi Kittylady and welcome to NeuroTalk!

Let me guess.....you love cats?! There are lots of us here who have kitties and we talk about them all the time.

I'm sorry to hear about the progression of your MS but you've found a wonderful group of people to share your ups and downs with. I hope you'll come back and be a part of our group.

[comstockgal]

I learned I had MS a few months ago, but at this point I am having more trouble with the drug company Biogen Idec. I'm wondering if other people have had difficulty with them.

My doctor is great, so I would say it is worth changing to find a good doctor.