Pain

MS and pain seem to go hand in hand.  But you complain against the pain so much, that after awhile no one is really interested in your pain.  And again, life goes on.  Except yours is in a constant state of pain.  Where does the pain come from? Well let me shed some light on the matter.  Have you ever heard of Trigeminal neuralgia? I guess you wouldn't.   This is a stabbing pain in the face, it comes off as dental pain, but it is usually the start of pain for MS.  

Then again there is  Llhermitte's sign.  This is an interesting little symptom of MS that is beyond strange feeling. It's when you touch, let's say your knee caps, an electrical shock goes through your entire leg. Or when you bend your head forward, the electrical shocks flow through your body.  Then there is the burning, prickling pins and needles.  They are most prevalent in my feet.  This is something that I feel everyday.  After all is said and done, you will understand why there are so many prescriptions that I take daily.

Muscle spasms are the worst.  Before I was diagnosed, I though I was just having my fair share of "charlie horses".  I was having these spasms in my feet, my legs and my torso.  I would have several a day, followed by a deep ached where the spasm took place. Another pain that I deal daily is musculoskeletal pain.  I wake up in pain, I function during the day in pain, and go to bed in pain.  My doctor told me it was called the "MS Hug".  It sounds very pleasant, but it is so far from being pleasant.  The "MS Hug" feels more like a bear hug, a constant, bone crushing bear hug, that is never ending.  

Due to chronic pain that is common in 55% of patients that have MS, there is a litany of pills to take.  I liken myself to a walking pharmacist.  I have everything for mood, spasms, tingling and numbness in feet and the list goes on and on.  I am still looking for natural remedies that could alleviate some of my problems.  But, to no avail, I haven't found anything to alleviate my intense pain.  But, in pain, you still have to smile.  For my kids, I have to smile.  I am Mommy and that trumps MS all day everyday.

Do You REALLY Know What MS Is?

When I tell people that I have MS, I always get this inquisitive look and inevitable the question that follows is....You have what?  What is MS?  Then I have to run down in short bullet points that MS stands for multiple sclerosis and what harm it does to the body.  And then I get a weird look and the person says, "But you don't look sick!"  Might I add that this makes EVERYONE who has a chronic illness want to scream!!

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects more women then men.  MS causes damage to the myelin sheath or the protective covering of the nerve.  When understanding multiple sclerosis it is easier to break the name down.  Multiple mean many, and sclerosis means scarring. So the person who is diagnosed with MS has many scars located in their brain, better known as lesions.

The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. Repeated episodes of inflammation can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord.  One must remember that nerves control every part of your body, and damage on these nerves causes either slight or severe hinderance to the person affected. 

There is no cure for MS, there are only numerous treatments which will be discussed in a later blog.  MS has stumped researchers as to the cause of the disease.  One clue is a previous viral infection i.e. mononucleosis.  It seems that if you have had mono, you are four times more likely to have MS later on in your life.  Lucky for me, I had mono not once but TWICE!!!

MS Funk>>>

May 2012

Everyday there seems to be just a little something new with MS.  For the past couple of weeks I have been in a funk.  I checked my medicine, checked my attitude, prayed about it, but still...a funk.  Nothing was giving me joy, I was moody, irritable, just not me. I had to go and research and research some more.  MS is a real bugger.  This funk is caused by the damage of the disease.  The damage that MS causes interrupting that feel good hormone, serotonin.  I have no idea when the funk will rise and I will once again, become loving Carla.  But, I'm still holding out hope.  And today, I am just annoyed with the whole MS thing.  MS Sucks. Tomorrow is yet another day. Oh what joy. :/