Living with MS

It hit me the other day that I’ve had MS for half of the time I’ve been alive. I’m 28, and I was diagnosed when I was 14. And I...

Many people living with MS face cognitive challenges at some point. These may be temporary, such as during a relapse or illness, or long-term problems...

Opioids are medications that have the ability to alleviate pain. They also have other properties that allow them to impact emotions and our sense of pleasure, which can make them...

After nearly two decades of fighting Multiple Sclerosis, my body has had some wear and tear on it. It doesn’t quite function the way it once did, except when it...

I retired from a state university where I happily worked administratively with the students. Namely, with first-year students, I noticed that there were three types of parents: There were those...

As discussed in Part 1 of this series, cognitive issues are a frustrating and common MS symptom. Often, people are aware that they are not as mentally sharp as they...

It’s a typical night, where not much is going on, and I’ve settled in to queue up some Netflix with my faithful dog.  My pup is my shadow, always by...

Before I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), people used to ask me what I liked to do for fun, and I always struggled to come up with an answer...

MS is: Probably the most important thing MS has been is the thing I’ve pushed against for many years, so I could keep growing and making goals. It’s the critical...

Recently, I was talking to another person who is also in this daily fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Like me, she’s had to leave her career, been put on disability, and...

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can manage their pain using over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines, physical therapy, and exercise. But some people experience “breakthrough” pain. This is pain that...

“Would you like to use a hat?” the lab tech asked. She had just drawn two vials of blood, and the last test was a urinalysis for which I had...

Everyone living with MS knows that mobility challenges are just a small part of the challenges we face, even though they tend to get the most publicity. Multiple sclerosis also...

What’s so hard about peace, love and understanding? First, my apologies to Nick Lowe, who composed the 1974 Elvis Costello hit “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?” For...

Fall risks are all around, but when your mobility is impaired, fall risks are amplified. As such, so should be your awareness of these risks. To help increase your awareness...

If you have Multiple Sclerosis, you’ve likely heard that this past weekend, actress Selma Blair announced via Instagram that she has been diagnosed with the chronic, incurable illness. While not...

I’ve written a lot about trying to get friends and family to understand even a tidbit of what its like to live with MS. Another thing I’ve written about is...

I've always considered myself incredibly blessed that while my own health is at best suspect, that of my 3 sons has been utterly robust. Aside from the occasional stomach flu...

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes - even you.” -Anne Lamott I read this the other day, and it resonated with me on...

In recent times, I’ve found myself making some rough decisions when it’s come to friendships. Creating and maintaining friendships while suffering from Multiple Sclerosis can be extremely difficult, enough that...