Learning to live with MS after my diagnosis

2019 is where my MS story begins.

I was working in my office job and started to lose sight in my left eye. I mentioned this to my partner Emma and she thought I was being over dramatic (which I admit I have been guilty of in the past). But it got to a point I was starting to worry.

I booked an appointment at the opticians, which led to them referring me to the eye clinic - by this point my eye sight in my left eye had gone.

Speaking to the doctor after my eye tests was hard. I felt like I was having an out of body experience, looking at myself in this room as the doctor mentions two letters I’ve heard plenty times previously in my life... MS.

My dad also had MS

I then had to go to hospital for an MRI scan. When the results returned it was confirmed I had lesions on the brain which were caused by MS.

I grew up with my dad having MS. Having watched him deteriorate over the years, I know how horrible it can be.

Since I was told the news I promised myself I would continue to live my life the best way I can and be positive. I write this story today from my hospital bed where I’ve been receiving my disease modifying therapy (DMT).

Getting treatment and accepting MS

Since starting this treatment I’ve had no more relapses. The treatment hasn’t affected my life too much, it’s a simple infusion I get every six months.

On the first visit to the hospital for the infusion I was thinking, how and why me? I’m in my twenties and this is my life. I knew these kind of thoughts weren’t going to help me in the long run, and I wanted to be strong and move forward.

Yes, it’s true I don’t know what the future holds but who does? Life is good, me and Emma are getting married next year. And we’ve just welcomed our first child, Alfie, to the world in June.

Moving forwards

I’ve decided to be positive. MS is something I have to learn to live with. There’s so many more treatments now and hopefully one day we’ll learn what causes MS and how we can cure it.