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@AlMack 

Last reply

AlMack

Early retirement due to MS

Hi there I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 1998. I currently work full time as a medical secretary at a cancer centre in Cardiff. I started a relapse in January this year and have not been able to work since as I get optic neuritis bilaterally, balance problems, left sided numbness and nausea 24/7. My work are questioning whether I can still do my job as this relapse has affected my cognitive abilities (more than relapses have in the past) and I have made some mistakes at work they believe are owing to this. I am 53 years old so it is quite early for me to retire but they would like me to consider this as I seem unable to continue do my current job. I would be grateful for any advice anybody has? Thanks Alison
7
@Vixen
@Vixen
 

Hello @almack, I have been in exactly the same position, AND I am also 53! Not sure which country you are in. Anyways, I was diagnosed three years ago (UK) having worked in education for 20 years, full time. I had an Occupational Health Assessment done, which was really useful. I wasn't quite ready for retirement, but wanted to cut down on my days. I took the opportunity - with my husband - to give full consideration to creating a scenario which would give us a better quality of life, and working part time. It took about two years to come to fruition, and has involved moving to a new city! We have downsized, I work part-time with reasonable adjustments, and we are very happy. It isn't the way I thought life would turn out, for sure, But if you can try and think outside the box, and being our age (when careers and households have already been created) then anything is possible. Good luck!

@Stumbler
@Stumbler
 

@almack , given the major impact of this relapse on your quality of life, have your MS Nurse/Neuro mentioned the possibility of Steroids, to bring this under control?