my mom has m.s.!!

[Lauren<3]

hi my name is lauren. my mom is 40 years old and was diagnosed with m.s. a little more that a year ago. im kind of scared for her. she has to give herself injections everyday and take pills.  can someone just breif me on what m.s. is.?  have people died?
thanx!!

[Quixotic1]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about what you and your mom are going through.  I wanted to give you some links to places that have information about MS.  The injections are normal and help to slow down the disease.  Mulitple Sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord.  It is pretty common.  About 350,000 people in the US have it.  It is very rare that MS causes people to die.  But, it can cause them to lose strength, and sometimes the ability to walk, or affect their vision or casue them pain.  Little by little, usually over many years, they get worse.

Your mom is lucky she has someone who cares about what she is going through.  Many times people with MS have very severe fatigue that causes them to do less than they used to.  The is one of the hardest parts about it.  

I think you should go to the website of the MS Society and read some of the things they have there for family members of people with MS and for ways to cope with the disease.  You could share this information with the other members of your family.

Go to:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_LIVE_homepage

There is a LOT to read about starting on that page.  Also ask us ANYTHING.  Most of us are mothers and sisters, too and we have a lot to share.  There are also forums, I bet, for kids of moms and dads with MS.  You might look for those, too.

Good luck, Quix

[Roxie0818]

[Roxie0818]

Hi Lauren, I'm Roxanne.  I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed when I was 30.  I have three kids.. 10 yr old and 8 yr old girls, and 5 yr old son.  I don't know how old you are, but with my kids.. they worried about me being in pain and the shots.  There are some days that Im more tired than others.. and its hard for them to understand because 'mom looks fine".  i DON'T walk with a limp or any visual signs that I have a disease... Have you asked your mom to explain MS to you?  Does she know that you have questions?
We are here for you... and I know it must be scary for you.  There are keepsmleyin newsletter thru the national MS society too.
Take Care
Roxanne