I wasn't young when I was diagnosed but the shock and fear I felt was like nothing I had ever experienced. A total body blow, at one stroke knocking out self confidence and feeling of worth as a human being. The only thing that stopped my suicidal thoughts was a meeting with the consultant and subsequently the MS nurses. They put the diagnosis into a perspective I could deal with. It wasn't a case of having a terminal illness, it was a chronic condition, something that - given the right treatment from them and correct management from me - need not take over my life. I don't think that the MS 'battle' is one that you can fight on your own. Getting the right support is the essential first step. xx

Thanks heaps for the positive message, I am doing my best to stay as positive and active as I can, however I do love to have the occasional big night out with my friends partying. Will drinking beers with my friends and staying out till 4 am make MS worse? I'm not ready to hang up the dancing shoes yet