JenJen74
|
 Hi all my
name is Jen. I have SPMS. I was dx in February of 2003. It all started
while i was pregnant with my son, I was constantly complaining of
numbness on my left side, esp my arm. Of course they blamed it on the
pregnancy which at the time seemed plausible. Then in December of 2002
I lost vision in my left eye. I want thru MRIs, steroid treatments and
finally a spinal tap. I was then dx with RRMS the following February.
When the docs told me I had MS I immediately thought i was a "Jerry's
kid", obviously I didn't know what MS was.I started taking Avonex, which i hated!! The neuro I had at the time was constantly pushing steroids into me which caused dangerously high eye pressures, and as a result I am legally blind. I have had laser surgery on each eye to relieve pressure, but the damage was already done. In 2004 I had a terrible relapse which left me in a wheelchair, the neuro that I had was not making me happy, so I found a wonderful MS specialist about 1 and a 1/2 hours from home. It is a long trip but worth it. He was not happy with the care I had been receiving, and was not ready to have me banned to a wheelchair, he said I was too young for that. So I went thru a course of chemotherapy (novantrone), which was not a walk in a park, but helped tremendously. I no longer have to use a wheelchair any longer full time. I am now on copaxone, which in all actuality does not do much for SPMS (none of the shots do), but it does seem to help. Haven't had a relapse in over a year. (Knock on wood) I am single with 2 beautiful children. (Never been married.) They are a tremendous help to me and never complain about my disease or throw it in my face to be spiteful if something doesn't go their way. I was an RN for many years, which I have a bachellor's degree in. I also have a masters in history. I wanted to be a history teacher, but after working in the health care field for years while going to school, I found that more fulfilling and also made more money that way. I went on SSDI when my vision got so bad I was unable to do my job properly in August of 2005. So I am a stay at home now. Most people think that when u are on SSDI that u are lazy and don't do anything. But staying home is the hardest job I have ever had, lol. Always something to do and no days off. A note to think on dear friends, there is someone out there that is worse off then you. Don't give up and fight the good fight. MS is not a death sentence, it only makes you stronger!!! |
