@Hello! Any advice? on Shift.ms

Hello! Any advice?

Hello! So in March I had a bit of a shock, thought I was perfectly healthy 31 year old and woke up one morning with numb feet. Thought it was weird but did my day as normal. The next day I was completely numb ribs down and could hardly walk. Long story short, I’ve been diagnosed with CIS and they think it’s MS but need another MRI to confirm. Looking back I had so many symptoms that I either didn’t question enough or thought were normal – I’m a teacher and yet to meet one who didn’t say they were tired (just I was a bit more exhausted), I thought everyone tingled when hot or doing exercise, I called brain fog days dyslexic days and I’ve been clumsy since birth. I even went as far as thinking the tingle in my leg I got was dry skin from shaving. I’m still trying to build my strength up again and get ideas to help the fatigue. At the moment, I walk my dog a lot (though can’t as much as I used to), away to start swimming and yoga, have magnesium tablets and made my diet healthier. Does anyone else have any tips? I just feel really weak and frustrated I can’t do more as used to being pretty active. I’m worried it will stay like this too. Also, although they have been very supportive, my family have been so emotional. Any help with that would be good to as I'm trying to stay positive and they're unintentionally making that very difficult. Thanks!

Hello, I’m in a very similar position, diagnosed with CIS in March following a single area of demyelination, but with a lumbar puncture results as positive for bands they have put me as high as risk on developing further episodes A bit like yourself up until an area of pins and needles started I was a relatively fit and active 30year old, not taking any regular medications etc! And while I can still go about my normal day it’s not without its challenges/frustrations/anxieties creeping in! The only thing I can say from my experience so far is just ride the rollercoaster, go with your feelings, if you need a you day have a you day! I have found trying to get back to my normal routines have helped, helps the days just feel normal again! I think being as active as I can helps - if I over do it my body definitely pays the repercussions! As a working mum to young children I had never really listened to my body, that’s my biggest advice - get to know what your body is telling you! My neurologist told me knowledge is power and that’s what I’m trying to do - amending my diet, supplementing, remaining active etc! The other thing that helped me was asking for support when needed - I found it really uncomfortable to begin with - often starting with ‘well I don’t even have ms but I’m really struggling with ….’ I doesn’t matter what level of diagnosis you are if your struggling seek support! In my case my work made adjustments - I’m so grateful that I spoke up - the relatively minor adjustments in the grandscheme made a wealth of improvement for me! Talk if you need to talk, escape if you need to escape! You will find your way through this 😊