The diagnosis of MS is similar to the shock experienced by anyone who has been diagnosed with a disease. For those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the shock goes further as currently there is no cure for it and it is truly a life changing diagnosis. I never will forget when I was diagnosed initially. At the time I was a state employee with excellent medical insurance and my denial was so that instead of relying on the results of two neurologists, I consulted more than five and never mentioned my new diagnosis with any of them. The results were the same from them all. My hope to find out my neurologists were incompetent had failed. I am sure some of you have done the same and your caregivers, family and friends have watched this episode of your life as well.

Most of the shock comes from really not knowing what MS is. Not understanding how it can affect you. Not having enough information provided to you at the time of diagnosis can make it all seem too much to deal with and to be honest, it is but you will get through it.

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis may seem like the end of the world but it isn't. Education is the key. Get all the information you can. There are online resources such as MSAA, WebMD, National MS and more. Not only do they provide accurate information but a few also offer nurselines to help with questions and have magazines you can receive in the mail at least quarterly. They give info. on everything MS.

Develop a new life plan. This can be fun. How many people can rearrange their lives again? With MS, sometimes you have to and it can be a good experience. Sit down and decide what changes you may want to make. Stress brings on symptoms of MS so evaluate how you can do away with some of your stress. It may be changing jobs, friends, etc. If it is toxic, you will find that in order for you to maintain a healthy disposition, you need to remove some things from your life. This was difficult for me to do but once I understood the havoc stress reaped with MS, I had no problem letting go. Keep a MS diary. This will help you and your doctor understand how you are progressing. It will also let you understand if you are one of those people affected more by somethings such as heat, etc. For example you note you go on vacation to Hawaii and after a long day in the sun you get very sick...could be a sign your body is heat sensitive like mine. Doesn't apply to everyone but until you start learning your body with MS, you may be very slow recognizing what to avoid.

Find a support group or a support person. This could be a MS group, someone else with MS or just a family member or friend who will commit to learning about MS and being there for you. Doesn't mean this person will hold your hand, it means they will encourage you and guide you. A story I share is once I had relapsed right after my diagnosis and was going to my grandmother's house. She had stairs, deep stairs leading up to her front door and by the time I reached the stairs both her and my mother were inside sitting down. I called for help and they gave me instructions for pulling myself up those stairs to get in the house. Sounds cruel,huh? Heck, I thought so,too. I was so angry yet I listened and it took me about 7 minutes to get up the stairs but I got up them and inside. Once inside I was still on the floor looking up at these "crazy" ladies and their directions now turned to how to pull myself up onto a chair I was beside. I did it and can't describe the anger yet satisfaction of achieving that goal that day. It wasn't until I took a fall a year later and I was alone that I truly understood their only purpose was to teach me how to be able to move myself should I ever be in a situation where no one was around to assist me. For the record, all other times, they did assist...smile. So just know your support team may do the same and it is probably for a similar reason.

Take responsibility for your health. This was a tough one for me to. I was okay as long as medication meant pills but a weekly injection with side effects? You have to be kidding. You may be on a daily injection but honestly, who likes needles if even for your health? We kind of have to. Don't try to get out of taking your medication. It is there for a reason and the costs of some of it is very expensive so please do the right thing and take your medications as required. If you are having a difficult time with affording your medications, please don't hesitate to find out about Medicare, state health insurance, or even look and see if any special programs are available for medications you are on.

Depression. This is normal for anyone who has had a life changing event and you have. Five years ago I could do back flips, run two miles,etc. but today things are different. My concentration and thinking are even a little slower. It does depress people sometimes so if you are depressed, acknowledge it and know it is okay to seek help. A lot of professionals are trained to deal with people who have medical conditions and are ill and now dealing with bouts of depression so do not fail to seek help. Also know that some medications cause depression as well.

Educate your family and children about MS. For those with children, it is important you let you child(ren) know you have been diagnosed with MS. So often adults think children should not know what is going on but they should. Some of the MS organizations have books for children who have parents with MS. Additionally, there are some who offer camps for families who have a parent with MS. This is a good educational opportunity as well. The online resources I listed above can assist you in getting more info. about books available for children or camps offered. Your children and family need to know what to expect as well as you do. They will want to help you and unless you have medical professionals in your family, they may not know how best to help you out. Education of MS is not only a YOU thing but a FAMILY thing as well.

I hope my tips have helped you to get on the road to dealing with the shock of MS. MS doesn't affect everyone the same. Because there are different types of MS, everyone's MS story is not alike. You must now find out how your story is, how it will go and how to adjust it when it looks a little dreary. I would like to encourage everyone with MS to say as I do..." I HAVE MS...it doesn't have me." Get a handle on it and you will find that this disease we call the MonSter can be a little tamed.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or other topics you'd like to see.