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1. Should I seek a second opinion?
2. I’ve just been diagnosed with MS – what will happen now?
4. Will I automatically end up in a wheelchair?
6. I’m worried about telling my employer – what do I have to tell them?
8. Is depression common for someone with MS?
9. Can family counselling help?
10. What's the best way to tell your children about MS?
11. Does pregnancy have an impact on MS?
12. Does stress make MS worse?
14. Is dental or surgical anaesthesia dangerous?
15. What about vaccination against the Flu?
16. Are there any diet recommendations for someone with MS?
17. What does coping with MS mean?
If you've only seen one doctor, it's certainly reasonable to get a second opinion if you’re not happy about the diagnosis. Your original doctor should not be insulted or hurt because you want to confirm your diagnosis.
No one really knows, but you and your neurologist can, and should, talk over your particular situation. The words you will hear most often are 'unpredictable' and 'variable'. MS is unpredictable and varies widely. The disease can go through periods of exacerbation or remission (in which symptoms decrease or level off.)
Usually though, MS follows one of these four patterns:
Your first several years of experience with MS are likely to be the best guide you and your doctor have as to your long-term outlook. If your neurologist has a history of caring for other people with MS, he or she may have additional insights about your situation.
And don't forget the extensive support, and knowledge of current MS management techniques, offered by your Regional MS Society Field Worker.
No, although studies do reveal familiar predisposition. This means that siblings or other close relatives are somewhat more likely to develop the disease. However, 80 per cent of people with MS do not have a close relative with MS.
According to Dr Nicholas la Rocca, Director of Health Care Delivery and Policy research at the National MS Society of America, data is scant, but he cites one well-designed American survey showing that about 25 per cent of people with MS use a wheelchair or stay in bed because they are unable to walk.
In reality, Dr La Rocca says, a minority of the whole group of people with MS is severely impaired. However, the likelihood of needing a mobility device increases the longer someone has MS. And many people with MS who use wheelchairs are still able to walk on their own.
Says Dr La Rocca "They use a wheelchair - or a cane or scooter - to help conserve their energy, or to prevent injury if their gait is unsteady".
Yes. Exercise alone cannot alter MS, but it can improve overall health and may prevent complications from disuse or inactivity. Because exercise helps to regulate appetite and sleep patterns, and contributes to feelings of well-being, there are psychological as well as physical advantages to be gained from a regular exercise programme.
A neurophysiotherapist will help you work out a combination of activities that will benefit you the most.
MS varies from person to person, and so will its impact on your work situation. Keep in mind that it's not a good idea to make major decisions about employment while you're in the midst of a crisis - either right after diagnosis or during a flare-up of symptoms.
First, give yourself time to recover from immediate problems then gather information that will help you understand your options. It's up to you whether or not to disclose your diagnosis to your employer.
The Human Rights Act offers workers with disabilities/chronic medial conditions some protection. Ring the Human Rights Commission Help desk on 0508 505 809 if you have any queries and they will assist you.
Workbridge provides a professional employment service for people with all types of disabilities and injuries, no matter what the skill level or disability. They also administer support funding on behalf of Work and Income, and can answer queries on workplace modifications
Everything connected to MS—from its physical symptoms to its emotional impact—can affect sexual expression. But this doesn't mean that sexual problems can't be managed successfully. People with MS can and do have fulfilling sex lives.
Several important suggestions:
It's common to feel fear, confusion, loss of control and grief at a diagnosis or worsening of MS. At one time or another, 30 to 40 per cent of people with MS experience what doctors define as moderate to severe depression. Many others experience milder forms of depression. Depression can also be a direct result of the damage the disease causes or a side effect of some medications.
Depression is treatable with medications, counselling and with psychotherapy. If you feel depressed, or feel emotionally troubled, remember that asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. Your MS Society Field Worker can either refer you to a counsellor, or if s/he is qualified in the field, can offer counselling him/herself.
The whole family lives with and is affected by MS. It may change family routines for work, play— almost everything—and everyone is affected. Counselling may help the whole family to adjust.
Check your local MS Society to see what family-orientated programmes they offer and ask if your MS Society Field Worker can help with counselling.
All children need basic, simple explanations. Discussing rather than hiding issues benefits children of any age.
Usually they're more resilient and better able to accept painful realities than their parents assume. All children may need to be reassured that their parent will not die and that they most probably won't get MS All children need reassurance that they will be safe and cared for, regardless of what MS may bring.
Studies show that pregnancy doesn't appear to alter the long-term course of MS. However, many women experience a remission during pregnancy and then, after delivery, a temporary increase in symptoms.
There's no hard evidence that stress either causes MS or makes it worse. But interest has been expressed overseas in whether stress plays a part in MS and research is currently underway. Either way, having a chronic illness is stressful in itself and people with MS can benefit from the following techniques for minimising stress:
Heat doesn't make MS worse permanently.
Many people with MS find that hot and humid weather, a hot bath or shower or a fever temporarily makes their symptoms worse. It's a good idea to avoid the heat of the day and to bathe in warm, rather than hot, water. Many people with MS find that cooling off with iced packs, iced drinks, cooling garments (such as vests, suits, hats, and neck, ankle or leg wraps) and cool baths helps to reduce symptoms. Electric fans or air conditioners can also be helpful.
The risks of general anaesthesia for a person with MS are about the same as for everyone else, with one exception: those who have severe, advanced MS may have respiratory problems which require caution.
There is no reason to avoid common local anaesthesia unless you know you're allergic to them. Most people with MS tolerate epidural anaesthesia as well. Pregnant women with MS who have epidural anaesthesia during childbirth do not appear to be susceptible to relapses because of this procedure. However, some neurologists feel that there are potential complications with spinal anaesthesia and don't recommend it.
People with MS want to stay as healthy as they can be. Illnesses like influenza are associated with the onset of MS attacks, and therefore it makes sense to avoid these illnesses if possible. Based on recent research, it is the view of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of America's Medical Advisory Board that the influenza vaccine can be considered a safe procedure to use for those with relapsing-remitting MS. The effects of the vaccine on other forms of MS has not been systematically studied. As a rule, people taking immune suppressing medications should avoid any vaccinations. You should discuss the pros and cons with your neurologist/family doctor.
There is no scientific evidence that MS has a dietary cause, so there's no reason to expect therapeutic benefits from a particular diet. Many 'MS diets' exist - but none has been proven effective in controlling the course of MS.
On the other hand, good nutrition is the key to general good health, so it's essential to pay attention to what you eat and make sure you have a well-balanced diet. Most of your diet should come from grain products, vegetables and fruits, with some high-protein foods such as meat, fish, dairy products or beans.
Everyone copes differently. Here are some general tips on living well: