What is this thing I have?

Multiple Sclerosis

noun

noun: sclerosis; noun: multiple sclerosis; plural noun: multiple sclerosis

1. a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.

This auto-immune disease is most commonly found in caucasians in the northern hemisphere. More than 2.3 million people are affected by MS around the world. There are approximately 3 women to each man diagnosed with MS. The average age of diagnosis is 30.

There are 4 types of MS: Relapsing-Remitting, Secondary-Progressive, Primary-Progressive, and Progressive-Remitting. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website "Relapsing-Remitting (RRMS) is the most common disease course and is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks - also called relapses, flare-ups or exacerbations - are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which symptoms improve partially or completely and there is no apparent progression of disease. Approximately 85 percent of people with MS are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS."     

I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS. When I was diagnosed, the neurologist said that she thought I was probably coming off of a relapse which is why my symptoms seemed to be going away. By the end of that same week I wasn't experiencing any episodes and pretty much felt normal again. Unfortunately we don't know when my next relapse or flare-up will be - it could be a couple months from now or a year from now. For now, I feel fine. Sometimes I feel like I get tired a little more quickly than I used to, but its nothing drastic so I'm not really sure if it is because of the disease or just the season. Over the last month or so, I've had more people asking how I'm feeling and for a few seconds I'm confused why they are asking me that, and then I remember that its because of the MS. I feel blessed that I am able to forget because I've been feeling so normal. I have been working over the last couple weeks to get an appointment at the Vanderbilt MS Center so that I can see a neurologist that specializes in the disease and get a second opinion about treatment plans. My first appointment with them is scheduled for April. 

The last several months have been unreal in some aspects. I had never before experienced the kind of mental weight that the news of my diagnosis brought. Moments of uncertainty and shock turned into stages of grief, and now my acceptance of the news and the start of moving forward with treatment. However, the support from you, my family and friends, have been so encouraging! I've had people come up to me asking me about my experience, wanting to know more, and that warms my heart. I knew that writing about my experiences would be therapeutic for me, but my utmost hope was that I could spread the word and help others learn more about this disease that I knew so little about before this experience began. I appreciate you taking the time to read my posts.