I’m sure Boris Johnson didn’t have me in mind when he was making London more accessible. More like the 20 million spectator journeys he had to facilitate during the 2012 Olympic Games! Anyhow, I was very happy to reap the benefits of his logistical nightmare when I was planning a trip to visit a friend (who also has MS) in Jolly Old London Town.
Whenever I meet a fellow MS-er, I ask them their name, where they are from and what meds they are on. It doesn’t take long to move on to the benefits of their prescribed drug and if they outweigh the side effects brought into their everyday lives. Some side effects and limitations of a drug are easy to swallow. I had no bother cutting out the operation of heavy machinery. Others side effects are so obvious- they make me smile. For example, my sleeping tablets warn me that they cause drowsiness. Who knew!!!! Others are not so simple!
What is this MS ‘Fatigue’ people talk about and why does it get the blame for so much? This week Emma Rogan takes a closer look at its affects, what remedies are available and how she manages her daily visitor
'Lucina has just turned fabulous forty, works full time as an arts officer with a local authority. She is a keen gardener, who battles to keep an acre in Poppy Cottage under control. Lucina has 6 year twins, Leon and Mya. Diagnosed with RRMS in 2011'
My white blood cells have been on the naughty-step for more than a month now. The first blood test said they were low. The next one said that they were EVEN lower. I gave another sample last week and haven’t heard back yet. I should really call the hospital but I just remembered that I was going to defrost the freezer today…… This ostrich-like behaviour can be translated to “I really want to stay on this new MS drug but I am scared I will be taken off it if my white blood cells don’t cop on”. On the up-side, my household appliances have never had so much attention.
Willeke moved to Ireland from her native Belgium in 2002. Diagnosed in 2005, she was intent on being a voluntary advocate for people with MS after her retirement 4 years later. Willeke has been described as inquisitive, tenacious and very independent. She hopes to keep on writing when her eyes permit her to, and to help others see sense in what is often MS-nonsense.
Diagnosed with MS in 1988, I was told that there was no cause, no treatment and no cure and to add to my emotional turmoil there was no definitive diagnosis either. That didn’t leave a lot of hope for the future but my mother’s brother, who also had MS, helped me through the earlier days, weeks and months.
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