It Started With Tinnitus

I’ve had tinnitus since I was a kid. However, I only noticed it when everything was absolutely quiet. Fast forward to 42 years old. Now I hear it all the time. Like a dial tone going on in my head all the time. The doctor diagnosed it as tinnitus.

The symptoms that sent me to the doctor

Now, fast forward to 50 years old. One day I woke up with my foot feeling like it was asleep, and I was extremely fatigued. About a week later, I was in the hospital with numbness on my right side, double vision, and a deaf left ear. Another hospital stay the following month and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At 50 years old, the doctor told me I’ve probably had it for years, it’s just that all the symptoms decided to occur at once. (One doctor told me how lucky I was that all those symptoms happened at the same time as it made it easier to diagnose).

My MS started to take it's toll

I worked full-time until 2021 when disability finally took its toll mentally. I couldn’t lead my team anymore. Plus, I had to deal with a new boss who, I don’t believe, actually thought I had MS. I have now been diagnosed with SPMS and currently take Ocrevus every 6 months. My mental issues deal more with forgetfulness. That and fatigue are my main issues these days. The double vision cleared by itself after 2 months and only comes back occasionally for short periods. The hearing in my left ear came back after about a month and has not returned, thankfully!

I’m 62 now. Before I was diagnosed, I always said, “If you’re not laughing, you’re doing something wrong!” Admittedly, at first, it was difficult to see that silver lining. However, I quickly learned to laugh at MS, and even myself.

MS has slowed me down, but it won’t stop me. Don’t let it stop you either! We got this!