Clearing Misunderstandings about Life with MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a confusing disease with a lot of misinformation floating around about it. After all, less than one percent of the population has it and it is not as prevalent as other diseases like cancer, heart disease or AIDS. Because not a lot of people have it, that makes it all the more mysterious to those patients and families who are now dealing with the diagnosis.

There are clearly some misconceptions about MS which can really scare people who have been newly diagnosed. It is important to get second and even third opinions from doctors as many of the MS symptoms are often misdiagnosed for years before the disease diagnosis. You want straight up answers to prepare you for weeding through those misunderstandings about the disease.

1. Multiple sclerosis is deadly – While MS is often viewed as an autoimmune disease, it is by no means fatal. Many patients with the disease can live a long, full life. Of course, death can be caused by MS but this is rare and in circumstances where the disease has progressed almost too aggressively. Thanks to the number of medical options in terms of treatment, most patients never get to the deadly aggressive stage.

2. I’ll be in a wheelchair! – Just a small percentage will end up in a wheelchair, unable to walk or they may use the wheelchair for long distances which maybe to far to walk. Many people with MS can walk without wheelchair aid. Of course, as the years go by and the disease progresses, there will be more need for mobility aids. However, these could be in the form of a cane, walker, or motorized scooter. Many MS patients refuse to give up their independence and will often use these mobility devices only to supplement their movements on bad days or to prevent falls.

3. I’ll have to quit work because stress will aggravate my MS – Many people work far into the progression of their disease. Regular stress should have no effect on your job performance or your ability to handle it. Rather, the symptoms of MS may slow you down like fatigue or cognitive function. However, many people have found a way, such as working freelance where they can control their schedules, to continue to work productive days.

4. A special diet can clear up my MS – Unfortunately, this misconception brings false hope to many who believe in it. It is your immune system that is attacking your own cells and while a healthy diet can improve your overall health and bolster your immune system, a special diet will not “shut off” the MS.

5. I’ll have to give up my dream of having kids – Many successful pregnancies have come from MS patients. The risk of the child developing MS is very small, smaller than other well-known defects. Pregnant MS patients have reported that their symptoms actually lessened or went into remission instead. Now there is a slight increase in the chance that the symptoms may become exacerbated about the first six months after delivery but they will level out once your hormones do.

Where there is life, there is always hope. MS is not a death sentence; rather it is a challenge that you should tackle with gusto because breakthroughs in medicine are happening every day. You just may be able to help find it.