Category: M.S. Speaks
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Aha Moments – My Clinical Trial Continues
I think that MS is a lonely disease, for most days, outsiders do not see the toll MS carries. After 5 weeks of working with my clinical researcher, Lexi, I have to say that I have contributed a bit to her work by explaining how it feels to have and deal with MS. I believe…
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Mind over Matter Does Not Always Work: So Much for Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy means that you believe that you have the ability to do something. However, sometimes with MS, it is not the belief in your ability to do something that gets in the way of doing it. Instead, it is the energy and cognitive labor required to do that very thing you believe that you can…
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Spasticity: The Pain is Real
Spasticity is common in about 80% of the people who have multiple sclerosis. In this culture, the term spastic or spasticity carries a heavy semantic burden. It implies a less than other’s mindset when in fact it comes from an inability to control one’s muscles. MS spasticity results from the demyelination along the nerves of…
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MS Glossary of Common Terms
Speaking MS: A Glossary of Common Terms This is a fairly comprehensive list of the terminology people with MS use and listen to when meeting with their physicians and neurologists. Join us and be in the know.
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Cognitive Fog (Cog Fog)
Cog fog is a common aspect that persons with MS deal with. For active and engaged people, this is an aha moment to come to terms with. Some days my ability is limited to doing simple tasks one at a time; otherwise, confusion and a lack of productivity kicks in. For example, if I am…
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Self-Injections- A Process of Discovery
At first diagnosis, I was hoping for a professional orientation to theinjection of my medication. I thought that I would get several instructions onhow to inject. In fact, I was left on my own. A nurse did come to my homeduring the second week of my injections and he was sent from the drug companyas…
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My Hands Feel Burned
Burnt hands is the only way that I can describe this feeling I have in both my hands. Imagine what putting your hands in boiling water would feel like: the skin is tight, fingers are stiff, and the touch sensation is basically gone. The lack of sensation limits my ability to engage in many daily…
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Late Onset Multiple Sclerosis
January 17, 2022, I entered the emergency room not my usual self. Feeding myself left me spilling my food on myself, walking unaided was a challenge, and my arms, hands, legs, and feet were tingling and numb. My journey with Multiple Sclerosis was about to begin. The MRI and lumbar puncture happened within the first…
MS Fortunate 