@mumofmser , it's good of you to join us on behalf of your daughter (or son). It is a worrying time, as MS is one of those taboo subjects that aren't discussed, until it arrives on your doorstep. But, MS is now becoming a manageable condition. Medical science continues to press ahead with all manner of treatments now avaiable that can hopefully keep the condition under control. These advances also allow our medical professionals to identify the condition earlier and start treatment earlier. The MS trust do a range of publications about all things MS, but here is a link to their "Newly Diagnosed" section, http://www.mstrust.org.uk/shop/products.jsp?catid=56 . You need to learn about MS, so that you can prevent worry and stress creeping in. This can only antagonise the MS and is best avoided. But, feel free to post your fears and concerns and we'll do our best to answer them.

@mumofmser Hi *waves* welcome to Shift. It's shocking when the diagnosis is new, as with any condition when you google it you're going to frighten yourself to bits. The important thing is to take control of it, medicine is coming on in leaps and bounds and there are a lot of treatments out there which can slow the MS treat the symptoms of MS and give a life which apart from the presence of the MonSter is normal. Teenagers are a challenge at the best of times, but living a healthy lifestyle (mostly) really does help, all those vitamins and minerals in the 5 a day really do help, as does regular exercise, fresh air and sufficient sleep (good luck with the surgical removal of a games console, getting the 5 a day into a teenager and getting them into and out of bed at a decent time for a healthy walk ...... :-).) The thing about MS, is nobody knows what to expect, there's no 'pattern' for it. Everyone's MS is unique to them, symptoms vary from person to person it's not that everyone eventually ends up with all of the symptoms, some people go their whole lives with only a few which are annoying rather than debilitating. The different types of MS don't dictate a pattern or progression either, Relapsing Remitting doesn't mean it's the 'okay' type of MS, Progressive doesn't mean it's 'you're immediately stuffed it's the end of the world' type either It is probably worth getting your teenager to keep a diary of some kind to track life - I don't mean the Adrian Mole / Brigit Jones type, more a how did what I do yesterday contribute to how I feel today assessment. It's easy to blame MS for things like physical and mental fatigue when if we're being really honest with ourselves there are lifestyle choices we made that are far more responsible My entry for this morning says : Was tired when I got home from work last night Had Thai food delivered - lovely but not many vegetables A bottle of wine Went to bed at midnight Analysis - I was already tired the wine gave me a second wind so I stayed up late - I'm tired again now because I stayed up late and my heads a bit fluffy from the too little sleep and too much wine Conclusion - I am an idiot and have nothing to blame but myself Response - eat something good tonight, drink water not wine go to bed at a respectable time Reality - there is a lot of the Thai food left so that's going to be dinner, I'm working from home on Friday so I don't have to be up at EEEK o clock and thai food really does taste better with a glass of wine .... I'll probably go to bed about midnight as usual and I am an idiot but that's not the MS's fault :-) This place is great for talking to people about MS, Life in general and is a great educational resource. We are a sociable bunch and pretty much house trained :-) Enjoy Shift, give your teenager a hug and tell them it's not the end of the world, it's blooming (see I didn't use a bad word in case the teenager is reading too :-) ) annoying and inconvenient and for me I view it as a battle. I will fight MS with every weapon I have, I will live my life to the full and to hell with this MonSter I'm going to kick it's ass :-) Tracy xx