Ms - Cincinnati,OH

Ug. My sisters brother in law died from MS and he was only 46. My sister was dx'ed Chronic pain syndrome. She said they shared many of the same symptoms.

I have recently found out my sis has adrenal malfunction that is treatable. MS may also be caused by adrenal malfunction. It would be nice if you could give him some avenues to explore . a 24 hour cortisol saliva test can pinpoint adrenal malfunction.
Severely low potassium and high sodium can cause muscle pain , weakness and atrophy, and should be explored. Low potassium is caused by high cortisol and will show on adrenal cortisol 24 hr saliva tests.

There are so many new meds out there for MS that it is not ususally the "death sentence" it used to be. However, men seem not to do as well as women in my experience, so they must get proactive and treat right away.

My uncle passed from MS at the age of 24. My now 27 yr old sister was diagnosed with it back in 2003. There are mornings she'll get up and can't walk, or can't see, or her face is all drawn and she looks like she's just had a stroke. Sometimes she'll just be sitting and you can see her heart pounding through her chest. She gets overly tired just by doing nothing. Her MS has screwed up her thyroid so much that it doesn't even want to work now. Sometimes she gets incredibly emotional. Sometimes her rational thought process is totally and completely gone. No 2 days are the same for her. This disease picks and chooses, without warning, what it's going to affect on a daily basis. Your friend is going through an incredibly difficult time right now and please believe him when he tells you he needs help or that he hurts. Just because he looks totally fine does not mean he is. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

I do in home health care and my only client has MS. He has had it since his early 20's and now he is 67. Ms slowly progresses over the years. WIth John, my client, he started with the weak arms and legs, as of now, he can still walk, but its with 2 arm canes and he is supposed to be in his wheelchair at all times. MS also causes horrible circulation problems and blindness or some extent of vision problems anyway. John's legs look like that of a dead persons. They are gray/black, and literally peel off, and he has constant ulcers on his feet from poor circulation. The MS mainly affects his back, legs, hips, and shoulders. He has good use of one of his hands. MS can also invite other problems also such as reoccuring infection and narcalepsy. But it is different with every person who has it. The symptoms can be controlled with medicine and pain killers. Also alot of new research is available and MS can even be treated with chemotherapy now.

I was diagnosed with MS about 18 months ago. Usually when you have an attack, especially in the early stages, you regain much of what you lost over time. For example my first main symptoms were numbness in my feet which traveled all the way up my legs. Now, after many months, only my feet are numb and not nearly as bad. Please be positive for your friend. MS is rarely a death sentence. As my neurologist told me, you wouldn't even know most of his patients had MS unless they told you.
The other thing I would love for you to pass on is for your friend to research CCSVI. This is a new theory as to the cause of MS - that it is linked with vein blockages. I had the angioplasty done 3 months ago. My fatigue is gone, I feel great and have not had an attack or any worsening of symptoms since. Many people have been really helped with this new research.
Good Luck to your friend!

One of our MS neighbors swims daily. So there is certain activities they are encouraged to do. It does make you more tired with it affecting strength. Just be a good listener and offer support. They may need help with shopping and or daily house chores. ANd of course like someone said before you go through periods where you can feel great but then lowsy. Illnesses can be hard. IT is hard when you have a condition like this. Some people are afraid of seeing people like this. Friends can disappear. My daughter has a chronic illness and I am amazed how people are afraid they will catch it. Be there for him and you will be a great friend to him.

was it ms or md if it was md I can tell you alot my cousinhad it.

I have MS. Honestly, treat your friend just as you have always treated him. Understand that he may have good days and bad. There are many meds out there that can help. I take Copaxone. One of my best friends also has MS and she takes Rebif. It is important for people with to get exercise and rest. B12 and B-complex supplements will also help.

There are also many forums where you can share your experiences or your friend can get information and support. You may try:

http://www.msworld.org/
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/
http://www.msfocus.org/default.aspx

Honestly, for many, you would never know they have MS. If you saw me, you would have no idea. One thing he needs to remember is that he may have been diagnosed with MS, but he doesn't have to let the diagnosis become him. I was really thrown. I eat well, I already got exercise, I always get plenty of rest. I was known as the person that rarely got sick with anything. It did throw me for a couple of weeks, but after I began my injection therapy and my symptoms disappeared, I felt completely myself. The only time I get upset about it is when people treat me differently.

Good luck. He is lucky to have you as a friend.