MS Active Source

positive living with MS

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Managing your Multiple Sclerosis

It is impossible to generalise about a person’s experiences of MS or those of the people close to that person. The unpredictable nature of the disease, its symptoms and any disability are described elsewhere in this site. In practice, though, MS follows a different course in virtually everybody.

But there are a few general points that should be remembered.

  • For most people, managing the symptoms is the key to living with MS.
  • There are treatments that can reduce relapses and delay the progression of disability in MS.
  • Your own attitude to MS is very important.

Your own attitude to MS is vital. There are many important benefits in trying to remain positive. Yes, a diagnosis of MS may change things. Depending on your symptoms and the stage of your disease, you may have to adapt your lifestyle. But family life, work, social activities, hobbies and other interests do not have to end.

As one patient put it: ‘MS is not the only challenge people face in life.  Many of us have obstacles along the way.  Ours just happens to be MS.' This person found it possible, with courage, strength and stamina, and with the help and support of others, to cross the many hurdles that MS put in her path (ref L1).

Another MS patient found that the key to managing the disease was for her to admit to herself that she had MS. Things would be different. Ignoring the signs, making excuses, and trying to continue as before, trying to convince herself that everything would be ok, was not the answer. ‘ Yes, MS may change the way we live our lives, but that does not have to be a bad thing.’ (ref L1).

Did you know?

How MS affects you will be very different to how it affects someone else.

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Biogen Idec

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Page last updated: 29 Jun 2009

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