Can people with M.S. - Multiple Sclerosis - have stressful jobs and do well?!
Question: I am relatively newly diagnosed - 10 months ago. I see my neurologist regularly. I am on Avonex. I am 39 yrs old.
I have a good job and want to know if I will always be able to live this way. As if ANYONE out there would know this. I am just feeling really scared tonight. Visions of Richard Pryor and Annette Funicello in my head. Sorry for venting, everyone.
Answers: I am relatively newly diagnosed - 10 months ago. I see my neurologist regularly. I am on Avonex. I am 39 yrs old.
I have a good job and want to know if I will always be able to live this way. As if ANYONE out there would know this. I am just feeling really scared tonight. Visions of Richard Pryor and Annette Funicello in my head. Sorry for venting, everyone.
YES. You are dwelling on the worse case scenario. Some people have benign MS or relapsing/remitting MS that does not preclude working in responsible positions. Honey I have had MS for 20 years. While I have the disease, I worked on my masters and started a new career right after getting diagnosed. I am semi-retired now and work part-time but that is MY choice. However if your MS becomes progressive that may not be the case. If you go for five years without an exacerbation, chances are that your disease will not become progressive and will not be a major factor in your work life. Take good care of yourself at ALL times. We ALL get really frightened and have awful nights when fear gets the best of us.
As you know it is a progressive disease. It may go very slowly for some years or it may get a lot worse very quickly and then go in to remission. Look at your work environment and surroundings. Will you be able to get around with a walker or wheel chair. Will your company try to find a way to fire you when they know how much your insurance costs will be? Not very reassuring but it is all a part of getting past denial and dealing with reality. Making plans now and doing research into what kinds of assistance you might need, what is available, and who will have to pay is like buying life insurance. You know you will need it someday. I am sorry you have this diagnosis - no one deserves this burden.