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What is M.S. Exactly?
Multiple Sclerosis (also known as M.S.) is a neurological degenerative disease that impacts the brain and spinal cord.
In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body causing permanent damage or deterioration of the nerve fibers.
What are some symptoms?
MS symptoms may differ greatly from person to person and over the course of the disease depending on the location of affected nerve fibers.
Some (keyword here) of the symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of your body at a time
- Tingling
- Paralysis
- Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
- Lack of coordination
- Unsteady gait or inability to walk
- Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement
- Prolonged double vision
- Blurry vision
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Problems with sexual, bowel and bladder function
- Fatigue
- Seizures
- Fainting spells or blacking out
- Muscle spasticity
- Slurred speech
- Cognitive problems
- Anxiety and Mood disturbances
Why is this Important to me?
Because it impacts me personally, I know how scary and overwhelming it all can be when first receiving a diagnosis and learning how to navigate your new life; and I want to help where I can.
Helpful Resources & Links
- Finding a local or online support group is huge for overall mental health and general advice with new daily challenges you're bound to meet. I personally admin in a Facebook Group called Millennials with MS and it's a huge help for me when new symptoms arise, or this disability just gets to be too much at times.
- In my Shop use the code "SPOONIE" for 10% OFF your entire order
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has a Cooling Vest Program where you can receive a free vest to help with heat intolerance from February-July.
- Homecare Assistance Grant connects you to the best available local services such as...
Home Care - Personal hygiene services, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and transportation to and from appointments are all services that can be provided for a limited time.
Therapy Visits - Based upon individual need, an appointment with an occupational, physical, or speech therapist can be arranged. Through education and training, these therapists can help to foster independence, self-esteem, and better quality of life for the person living with MS.
Respite Care- Respite allows primary caregivers the opportunity to tend to themselves, or other family business, with the assurance that their loved one is being cared for by a properly trained individual. This service is provided on a short-term basis for a scheduled period of time.
Coming Home - Returning home from a stay at the hospital can be a difficult time of transition. They offer a four-hour visit from an aide who will meet the patient at the hospital, provide transportation home, and then get the patient settled comfortably at home.
- MS Focus' Emergency Assistance Grant provides full or partial financial assistance for urgent needs related to rent or utilities.
- Transportation Assistance Grant Program was established to help members of the MS community remain as independent as possible and ensure all people with MS have the transportation necessary to get the best medical care.
- Assistive Technology (AT) Program may help locate, partially fund, or provide full funding for one of a wide range of devices such as..
Aids for daily living
Communication devices
Computer aids
Environmental control systems
Home and vehicle modifications
Orthotics
Seating, positioning, and mobility devices
Aids for vision and hearing
Cooling aids
MSAA provides a toll-free Helpline that allows individuals with MS, family members, care partners, and friends to speak directly with one of MSAA’s experienced specialists. These trained and compassionate individuals have a social services and/or counseling background.
Call (800) 532-7667, extension 154
24-hour assistance
National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE