Anyone have multiple sclerosis?

[cholderby]

I was diagnosed with ms about a month ago. I’ve pretty much recovered from my first attack. I have four kids, ages 8 months - 8 years and I homeschool.

This past month has found me unable to care for my kids, clean the house, school them, etc. there’s no telling when or how frequently these attacks will come back or when they’ll move on to a progressive form of the disease. We live in a city with awful public schools and no Catholic school, not that we could afford that anyhow.

I’ve never seriously had to think about nfp before and I’m not sure if I should be trying to avoid now. Usually I don’t get pregnant again until close to the last baby’s second birthday but I have to wean to start the disease modifying drugs so that is all going to change. Some people experience a break from MS symptoms while pregnant or nursing but because I had my first attack while nursing I don’t think that will be true for me.

I feel a great sense of guilt when I think about avoiding a pregnancy ( perhaps thats sadness? idk). If someone else was in my situation I think I’d see it as a much simpler decision; perhaps I still haven’t wrapped my head around how my circumstance has changed.

The people who know nfp near me have never worked with anyone with ms. Is there one method that is better? Do the DMDs effect fertility symptoms? I won’t know which DMD I’ll be on until Monday.

More than anything, I’d like to be able to talk to someone who is or has been in a similar situation. I’ve yet to find another homeschooler with ms or a catholic with ms that can discuss nfp etc. with me.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

My father has MS. He had his first attack just before Christmas when I was I think seven years old. It has been a difficult road and will certainly continue to be. He’s been deteriorating for years now but fortunately is still able to work and will be eligible for early retirement soon.

I don’t have any advice to give about NFP or pregnancy with MS or anything like that, but my prayers are with you.

 

[coachkfan1]

One of my coworker’s wife has MS. It can be a very painful and debillitating disease at times. But from learning of her experience let me give you a warning about an often overlooked consequence of this disease. That is addiction to pain medication. For this woman, this has created a whole new issue to deal with as she has become addicted to taking enourmous amounts of perscription pain meds. Frankly, from talking with my coworker, the addiction has become a bigger problem than the disease itself, or at least as big of a problem.

This is a very sad situation. I know for me that I try to avoid physical pain at all costs, so I can only imagine what this woman is going through. I am sure that it is a double edge sword, to need relief but to walk such a tightrope as to avoid dependance and addiction. I pray for the best in your future.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Please see a D.O., preferably one who is an expert in nutrition and allergies. M.S. is a disease that most definitely has connections with diet, and possibly other environmental factors.

 

[Zelie_Louis]

Please see a medical professional to discuss questions regarding fertility and interaction with treatment.