A Little Bit About Multiple Sclerosis

March 14th begins MS (multiple sclerosis) awareness week.  While most people have probably heard of MS, many people do not realize how serious this condition can actually be.  In support of MS awareness week, take the time to learn a little bit about MS.

Our body has a special layer that protects our nerves. What if your body went a little haywire? What if your protective nerve layer was damaged? This is what MS patients have to deal with. MS is a chronic condition with no cure. MS attacks the body's central nervous system, resulting in painful and debilitating side effects. As with many chronic and complicated illnesses, there are all different levels of MS. One person with MS may live a seemingly average lifestyle with pain flares from time to time while another person with MS may be almost completely disabled 24/7.

Typical symptoms of MS include shooting pain in the limbs, weakness, electric shock like pain, extreme fatigue, vertigo and bladder issues.

Since the medical world has yet to 100% figure out what causes MS to occur, it can be hard to diagnose at first.

It is important to remember that no two MS patients are identical. Some people suffer so severely from MS symptoms that they become completely disabled. Other patients may go through good times and bad times. Other people may experience mostly good days with random pain flares.

Some MS patients may be okay to work a full-time 9 to 5 office job, while others prefer alternative forms of employment such as a work from home career or part-time job to accommodate flare days and doctors appointments. The Internet has given many more options to chronic pain patients in general allowing people with chronic pain to find lucrative home based careers such as being a virtual assistant, freelance writer, online tutor or owning an eBay store. Work life with MS is a very personal decision. Some people truly may not be able to  work at all, either temporarily or permanently. It is important for doctors, other MS patients and non-chronic pain patients not to judge their decisions.

MS and other chronic pain conditions can confuse family members, friends, co-workers and new acquaintances of the person suffering. It can be hard to understand why your friend or family member "doesn't look sick". It's important to keep in mind that MS and many similar conditions are invisible. Most people still like to take pride in their appearance even if they are suffering from a chronic pain condition. Just because you can not see a rash, cast or other outward sign of illness does not mean your friend is not sick.

It is also vital to remember that some people with pain conditions have random and unexpected flares. One Saturday night, your friend with MS or another chronic pain condition may feel fine to go out to dinner and a movie with you. The next weekend the person may be in so much pain they can barely get out of bed. If you want to be a good friend it is important to show compassion and understanding. Your friend is not faking or trying to ditch your plans. Pain flares that come out of nowhere are a common part of life with a chronic illness. As frustrating as it may seem for you, it is even more frustrating for your friend who is suffering from the condition.