Guest guest Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 Lynn I enjoy my free time but I still miss my job at 42 I am not ready to retire. Do you also do scrapbooks like my wife does, she is hooked on that hobby right now. Bill GETTING TO KNOW YOU We have several new people in the discussion group and thought maybe we could get to know each other better and also to see who all still tune into the discussion group? What state of country are you in? INDIANA How long have you had MS? I WAS DXED FEBUARY OF 1993 What meds do you take for your MS? PROVIGAL AND LEXAPRO What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? MOSTLY DEPENDS ON THE DAY ANDTHE DAY BEFORE. Are you still working a job? NO, I QUIT IN 91 If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? YES IT WAS // AND YES IT IS EFFECTING MY JOB AS HOMEMAKER AND CAREGIVER; GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER; AND ALL MY HOBBIES. BUT STILL I COULD BE SO MUCH WORSE. WE MANAGE Did getting MS force you to quit a job? NO I HAD PLANNED TO RETIRE EARLY THE FOLLOWING YEAR. Are you on disability through Social Security? YES Are you trying to get Social Security? GOT IT What other health condition do you have besides MS? LOW THYROID, HIGH CHOLESTERAL AND TRIGLISERIDES, BLOOD PRESSURE Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? FROM MOST OF THEM If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? OH MY GOODNESS, I NEVER HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING TO DO!!! THE MAIN PROBLEM IS GETTING THE ENERGY TO DO THEM AFTER I GATHER EVERYTHING TOGETHER. Add your own personal info. MY NAME IS LYNN. I LIVE IN CENTRAL INDIANA. I AM 61 YEARS YOUNG. I AM A WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, RECENTLY A GREAT GRANDMOTHER; AND USUALLY A NICE PERSON WHO LOVES LIFE AND GOD. I FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE MS 11 YEARS AGO THIS PAST SUMMER I GOT AN ELECTRIC WHEEL CHAIR. I USE IT MORE AND MORE; MOSTLY ON DAYS I WAKE UP TIRED AND DO NOT GET ANY ENERGY AFTER BREAKFAST. I DID WORK AS A DENTAL ASSISTANT BUT THE YEAR BEFORE I WAS DXed I RETIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THEN WHEN I WAS ABLE TO RETURN THE DR DID NOT WANT ME TO COME BACK UNTIL AFTER JOHNS MONTH LONG VACATION WAS OVER. I STARTED FEELING SO MUCH BETTER WITH OUT THE STRESS OF THE JOB THAT I DECIDED TO RETIRE A YEAR EARLIER THAN I HAD PLANNED. WE WERE PLANNING TO RETIRE AT AGE 48 BECAUSE JOHN WOULD HAVE IN 30 YEARS ON THE SAME JOB. SO YES THE MS WAS EFFECTING MY JOB. I DID NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL AFTER I WAS DXed.. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES AND THE THIRD TIME I MARRIED ONE OF THE BOYS I WENT THRU SCHOOL WITH FROM FIRST GRADE TO THE 11th WHEN HE QUIT SCHOOL BETWEEN US WE HAVE 10 CHILDREN, 39 GRAND- CHILDREN, 3 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; 2 BROTHERS AND 4 SISTERS. MOST OF THE CHILDERN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE SPOUSES. SO AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS A LARGE FAMILY. MY HUSBAND HAS COPD AND DIABETES. I HAVE MS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND LOW THRIOD. . I DO [OR DID IN SOME CASES] CRAFTS, SEWING, READING, WRITTING, COOKING AND MAKE UP MY OWN RECIEPES, COLLECT DOLLS, DOLL MAKING AND SOME TIMES DOLL HOSPITAL, CROCHETING, QUILTING, EMBROIDERY WORK; WHAT EVER PERKS MY INTEREST AT THE TIME. I LOVE TO READ, AND JOINED A LARGE PRINT BOOK CLUB. I FOUND A WRITER I HAD NOT READ BEFORE THAT I ENJOY READING AND THAT IS FERN MICHEALS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING OUT THE AUDIO BOOKS. WITH THEM I CAN READ AND WORK AT THE SAME TIME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 We have several new people in the discussion group and thought maybe we could get to know each other better and also to see who all still tune into the discussion group? What state of country are you in? Illinois How long have you had MS? Diagnosed officially in 2003, right before I found out I was pregnant. Had symptoms and was doing testing since 2000, after the birth of my twins. What meds do you take for your MS? None, still breastfeeding my 5 month old. My doctor also said maybe we can just follow it closely and not do any medicines until changes occur on the MRI's. Not sure how I feel about that, but I will have to think about it after Shane is done breastfeeding (probably not for a while since he won't take a bottle at all right now) What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? Mostly leg numbness and clumsiness. Trouble walking occasionally when I am hot or tired. Before the baby, urinary hesitancy, but so far since having the baby, I have been fine (knocking on wood as I type this!) Are you still working a job? Stay at home mom of 4 If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? Not that I am aware of, other than being a little more tired than a "normal" person Did getting MS force you to quit a job? no Are you on disability through Social Security? no Are you trying to get Social Security? no What other health condition do you have besides MS? none Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? sometimes If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? Add your own personal info. Mom of 4, currently training for a short triathlon. Maybe I will be a little (ok, a lot) slower than everyone else, but I am pretty sure I can do it. If it is too hot, my leg will probably go numb, and I will be limping, but I still am hoping to do ok. Have not told my doctor about this becasue I am pretty sure he would not approve. It is somethig I have always wanted to do, so I am going for it. With MS, and with life in general, you never know what the future holds, so I want to do this while I can so I don't look back and someday say I wish I would have tried it. The worst that could happen is that I won't be able to finish it, and then at least my family will have had a good time swimming in a hotel pool that weekend. Can you tell I have been having to defend my choice to my mom, mother in law, etc??? Have a great day everyone! Tori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 What state of country are you in? Arizona How long have you had MS? One year, probably had early minor symptoms for a year before that What meds do you take for your MS? Rebif, Baclofen, Provigil, St. 's Wort (was on Paxil, but the 50 pound weight gain was not worth it!) What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? Daily: Spasms, numbness, tingling, itching, other random wandering pain, balance, fatigue, weakness, minor short-term memory problems. Oh yeah, and I walk like a drunk! Use a cane daily, except for at home. Sometimes: Vertigo, tremor, words get "stuck" And other assorted symptoms that are supposedly not related to MS, but just "happened" to start at the same time. (I'm guessing some ARE directly related to MS, some may be caused by medications, and some are the natural result of being less active, and so on) Are you still working a job? Yes, thanks to the Provigil. If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? Don't think the ultimate outcome of the performance is poor now. Initially my performance was declining, but now that I'm on a good combo of meds, I'm able to work well. MS does still make my job more difficult and I am learning to work around those problems and adapt. Right now the hardest symptom to deal with at work is pain...the medications that are strong enough to help would knock me out! Did getting MS force you to quit a job? No Are you on disability through Social Security? No Are you trying to get Social Security? No What other health condition do you have besides MS? Arthritis (I think there may have been some MS symptoms over the past few years that I had mistakenly chalked up to the arthritis) Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? All my family is another state, so unable to help. They are however, emotionally supportive. If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? Add your own personal info. Still in the midst of adjusting to life with MS. The irony of it all is that I actually have a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (haven't worked in that field for at least 15 years). My initial reaction to the diagnosis and the new limitations on my life was pretty good. But then the novelty of it all wore off, and the sympathy and helpfulness of friends has faded away. So now I'm having a harder time coping with it. I was OK with the idea of having a certain level of disability and having to slow down, but was not prepared for the level of disabling fatigue and was completely surprised by the pain. And based on my training and experience, I thought I understood the obstacles (internal and especially external) but I'm finding that is much more difficult than I expected. I've always been a peaceful, easy-going, unflappable person, but lately I have been none of those things! Seems like my whole day is facing one frustration after the other, and trying to overcome some obstacle at every turn. So I'm finding I have a lot of "attitude adjustments" to make. I AM working through it, and I do know how to "get there from here" but its no fun! I heard something the other day on the Today show (of all places!) that has actually helped a bit. It was completely out of context...I think they were interviewing a successful business woman... and she said that the secret of her success was that she remained focused on the compass rather than the speedometer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 I think what frustrates me the most about my having MS is when I need to repair something and all I can do is stare at it and realize how easy the repair is to do without my MS. I am lucky my wife and my 14 year old son will take on those repairs sometimes. I get really angry when I have to pay a lot to fix something I can't do any more because of my MS. Changing a light bulb is simple until you get MS and now I can't even get on a ladder do to the MS taking my balance away. Having MS is still a lot better than a deadly disease. Bill Re: Getting to know you What state of country are you in? Arizona How long have you had MS? One year, probably had early minor symptoms for a year before that What meds do you take for your MS? Rebif, Baclofen, Provigil, St. 's Wort (was on Paxil, but the 50 pound weight gain was not worth it!) What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? Daily: Spasms, numbness, tingling, itching, other random wandering pain, balance, fatigue, weakness, minor short-term memory problems. Oh yeah, and I walk like a drunk! Use a cane daily, except for at home. Sometimes: Vertigo, tremor, words get "stuck" And other assorted symptoms that are supposedly not related to MS, but just "happened" to start at the same time. (I'm guessing some ARE directly related to MS, some may be caused by medications, and some are the natural result of being less active, and so on) Are you still working a job? Yes, thanks to the Provigil. If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? Don't think the ultimate outcome of the performance is poor now. Initially my performance was declining, but now that I'm on a good combo of meds, I'm able to work well. MS does still make my job more difficult and I am learning to work around those problems and adapt. Right now the hardest symptom to deal with at work is pain...the medications that are strong enough to help would knock me out! Did getting MS force you to quit a job? No Are you on disability through Social Security? No Are you trying to get Social Security? No What other health condition do you have besides MS? Arthritis (I think there may have been some MS symptoms over the past few years that I had mistakenly chalked up to the arthritis) Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? All my family is another state, so unable to help. They are however, emotionally supportive. If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? Add your own personal info. Still in the midst of adjusting to life with MS. The irony of it all is that I actually have a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (haven't worked in that field for at least 15 years). My initial reaction to the diagnosis and the new limitations on my life was pretty good. But then the novelty of it all wore off, and the sympathy and helpfulness of friends has faded away. So now I'm having a harder time coping with it. I was OK with the idea of having a certain level of disability and having to slow down, but was not prepared for the level of disabling fatigue and was completely surprised by the pain. And based on my training and experience, I thought I understood the obstacles (internal and especially external) but I'm finding that is much more difficult than I expected. I've always been a peaceful, easy-going, unflappable person, but lately I have been none of those things! Seems like my whole day is facing one frustration after the other, and trying to overcome some obstacle at every turn. So I'm finding I have a lot of "attitude adjustments" to make. I AM working through it, and I do know how to "get there from here" but its no fun! I heard something the other day on the Today show (of all places!) that has actually helped a bit. It was completely out of context...I think they were interviewing a successful business woman... and she said that the secret of her success was that she remained focused on the compass rather than the speedometer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 BUT BILL I AM ALMOST 20 YEARS OLDER THAN YOU AND FEMALE. I WAS QUITE CONTENT BEING A STAY AT HOME HOMEMAKER, MOTHER AND WIFE. COME TO FIND OUT THE REASONING BEHIND MY HUSBAND WANTING ME TO GET SCHOOLING AND GO TO WORK WAS SO HE WOULD NOT FEEL QUILTY WHEN HE DIVORCED ME. WHICH BY THE WAY HE DID NOT DO. SIX YEARS LATER I DID DIVORCE HIM THO. JOHN RETIRED AT 48 AND HAS HAD SEVERAL THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARAGE WHERE HE HAS HIS AIR CONDITIONER, FURNACE, PC, PHONE AND TV. IT HAS BEEN A WOOD WORKING SHOP. A MOTORCYLE SHOP/ AND FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS OR SO A CB SHOP. MAYBE YOU COULD START A COMPUTER REPAIR SHOP. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ENJOY THAT AND THAT YOU DO QUITE A BIT OF THAT NOW ANYWAY. NO I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO THE SCRAP BOOK HOBBY LIKE THEY HAVE NOW I DO HAVE A BUNCH OF THINGS GATHERED TOGETHER TO GLUE INTO AN OLD SCRAP BOOK. LOVE AND HAPPINESS; FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIESLYNN GETTING TO KNOW YOU We have several new people in the discussion group and thought maybe we could get to know each other better and also to see who all still tune into the discussion group? What state of country are you in? INDIANA How long have you had MS? I WAS DXED FEBUARY OF 1993 What meds do you take for your MS? PROVIGAL AND LEXAPRO What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? MOSTLY DEPENDS ON THE DAY ANDTHE DAY BEFORE. Are you still working a job? NO, I QUIT IN 91 If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? YES IT WAS // AND YES IT IS EFFECTING MY JOB AS HOMEMAKER AND CAREGIVER; GRANDMOTHER AND MOTHER; AND ALL MY HOBBIES. BUT STILL I COULD BE SO MUCH WORSE. WE MANAGE Did getting MS force you to quit a job? NO I HAD PLANNED TO RETIRE EARLY THE FOLLOWING YEAR. Are you on disability through Social Security? YES Are you trying to get Social Security? GOT IT What other health condition do you have besides MS? LOW THYROID, HIGH CHOLESTERAL AND TRIGLISERIDES, BLOOD PRESSURE Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? FROM MOST OF THEM If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? OH MY GOODNESS, I NEVER HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING TO DO!!! THE MAIN PROBLEM IS GETTING THE ENERGY TO DO THEM AFTER I GATHER EVERYTHING TOGETHER. Add your own personal info. MY NAME IS LYNN. I LIVE IN CENTRAL INDIANA. I AM 61 YEARS YOUNG. I AM A WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, RECENTLY A GREAT GRANDMOTHER; AND USUALLY A NICE PERSON WHO LOVES LIFE AND GOD. I FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE MS 11 YEARS AGO THIS PAST SUMMER I GOT AN ELECTRIC WHEEL CHAIR. I USE IT MORE AND MORE; MOSTLY ON DAYS I WAKE UP TIRED AND DO NOT GET ANY ENERGY AFTER BREAKFAST. I DID WORK AS A DENTAL ASSISTANT BUT THE YEAR BEFORE I WAS DXed I RETIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THEN WHEN I WAS ABLE TO RETURN THE DR DID NOT WANT ME TO COME BACK UNTIL AFTER JOHNS MONTH LONG VACATION WAS OVER. I STARTED FEELING SO MUCH BETTER WITH OUT THE STRESS OF THE JOB THAT I DECIDED TO RETIRE A YEAR EARLIER THAN I HAD PLANNED. WE WERE PLANNING TO RETIRE AT AGE 48 BECAUSE JOHN WOULD HAVE IN 30 YEARS ON THE SAME JOB. SO YES THE MS WAS EFFECTING MY JOB. I DID NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL AFTER I WAS DXed.. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES AND THE THIRD TIME I MARRIED ONE OF THE BOYS I WENT THRU SCHOOL WITH FROM FIRST GRADE TO THE 11th WHEN HE QUIT SCHOOL BETWEEN US WE HAVE 10 CHILDREN, 39 GRAND- CHILDREN, 3 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; 2 BROTHERS AND 4 SISTERS. MOST OF THE CHILDERN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE SPOUSES. SO AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS A LARGE FAMILY. MY HUSBAND HAS COPD AND DIABETES. I HAVE MS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND LOW THRIOD. . I DO [OR DID IN SOME CASES] CRAFTS, SEWING, READING, WRITTING, COOKING AND MAKE UP MY OWN RECIEPES, COLLECT DOLLS, DOLL MAKING AND SOME TIMES DOLL HOSPITAL, CROCHETING, QUILTING, EMBROIDERY WORK; WHAT EVER PERKS MY INTEREST AT THE TIME. I LOVE TO READ, AND JOINED A LARGE PRINT BOOK CLUB. I FOUND A WRITER I HAD NOT READ BEFORE THAT I ENJOY READING AND THAT IS FERN MICHEALS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING OUT THE AUDIO BOOKS. WITH THEM I CAN READ AND WORK AT THE SAME TIME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 We have several new people in the discussion group and thought maybe we could get to know each other better and also to see who all still tune into the discussion group? What state of country are you in? Nebraska How long have you had MS? 3 years, 1st attack was July 3, 2001 What meds do you take for your MS? Betaseron, Topamax, Celexa, Prevacid and Nexium, Nortryptline, Marinol (*when needed), Darvocet (*when needed), stool softener, stress tab (multi vitamin). What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? right side of body is numb (from collar bone to toes), leg weakness, rt arm has strangling (banding) feeling, congnitive problems, memory problems, walking problems, balance problems, bladder problems, pins and needles in arms and legs. Optic Neuritis diagosis also. Are you still working a job? No If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? Yes, had to quit working and file for disabilitiy. I was VERy acive. I was a 4 sport athlete in high school. Was a 3 time All-American track athlete in college. Did getting MS force you to quit a job? yes Are you on disability through Social Security? yes Are you trying to get Social Security? no What other health condition do you have besides MS? none Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? my husband is my rock! If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? sell on Ebay, occupies my time and I can do it when I feel up to it and my hubby does it when I can't. Gives me something to do and makes me feel like I am contributing. Mother of 2 kids (na 6 1/2; 4 1/2), married. God Bless, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 What state of country are you in? Minnesota How long have you had MS? Got a diagnosis a in March. Was probable for about a year. What meds do you take for your MS? Neurontin and amantadine What kind of troubles do you have with your MS? Facial numbness, had a bout of optic neuritis, balance problems (think drunk walk), numbness in my feet and legs, muscle pain in my legs. Are you still working a job? If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor? I am slower, especially on problem solving. Did getting MS force you to quit a job? No Are you on disability through Social Security? No Are you trying to get Social Security? No What other health condition do you have besides MS? None Do you get good family support to help you with your MS? My husband is my rock. We have no family close by. If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep your self busy? Add your own personal info. Married with 4 children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 You live in a very cold state during the winter time do you find the heat to cause you more troubles with your MS or the cold weather? I only have problems with the heat, before I had my MS I could easily sit in a room with just a T-shirt on during a cold winter day but now that I have MS it is rare for me not to wear sweat shirt. I guess maybe because I am not as active as I once was. I hate the winter weather I will be happy to put up with the warm weather while it is here in Indiana I can always turn on the air-conditioned. Bill Re: Getting to know you What state of country are you in? MinnesotaHow long have you had MS?Got a diagnosis a in March. Was probable for about a year.What meds do you take for your MS?Neurontin and amantadineWhat kind of troubles do you have with your MS? Facial numbness, had a bout of optic neuritis, balance problems (thinkdrunk walk), numbness in my feet and legs, muscle pain in my legs.Are you still working a job?If you still work does the MS make your job performance poor?I am slower, especially on problem solving.Did getting MS force you to quit a job?NoAre you on disability through Social Security? NoAre you trying to get Social Security? NoWhat other health condition do you have besides MS?NoneDo you get good family support to help you with your MS? My husband is my rock. We have no family close by.If you are on disability what kind of things do you do to keep yourself busy?Add your own personal info.Married with 4 children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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