Active MSer? Introduce Yourself Here!

[Madeleinemom]

Hello!

Quick intro:

Diagnosed in 2007 with RRMS. Had to overcome my fear of needles rather quickly, since my DMD of 'choice' is Betaseron. And, Thank You Lord, for the invention of the auto inject device

I am a very happily married woman and proud member of the Red Hat Club, cough - where have the decades gone?

I look forward to meeting everyone here and exchanging info.

Found you via Patients Like Me.

[Georgia Pug]

Hi everyone! My name is Wendy and I'm from California, but I've spent the last 25 years in Georgia. I got very sick during a knee replacement and 4 months later was diagnosed with MS, at the ripe old age of 59. I was immediately put on Tysabri, that was 1.5 years ago and I'm still on it. I was very active before, then spent a gloomy year sitting in the house, battling with the MS. I am finally coming back to my old self. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!

[rabbitfood]

My Name is Amy, I'm 34 and I was diagnosed in 2005. I started running 6 months ago and hope to run my first 5k in a few weeks. My goal for the year is to run the Baltimore half-marathon in October. I wish I could find someone with MS to run with in Maryland.

[Bigrushfan]

Hi Teresa,

My name is John. I am 42 and was also diagnosed with MS in 2005. I began running 3 years ago and just ran my first marathon last month. At around mile 20 I had issues with fatigue and overheating and would like to hear from other runners with MS and how they cope with this and other issues on those long runs.

[scrkpr]

I found this site through the YouTube video. Cool BTW. I am 30 years old, female, married, 3 kids. They are ages 7,4,1. See a pattern in those ages? Accident.

Now that you have the details, I'll give you the info you REALLY need. I was DX with RRMS 6 years ago, but I KNEW I had it 9 years ago. (long story there folks). I'm in a clinical trial for Teriflunimide. I stay fit with my new YMCA membership. I go to work out just so I can drop the aforementioned children off at the daycare....ahhh PEACE. Okay, okay, so the Yoga, water fitness with the "gray hairs," and occasional Pilates are a good reason for going too. My goal is to do the "Body Pump" class...someday. I'm not pushing it.

So, you should realize by now that I have a sense of humor and I'm not afraid to use it.

[rlmkelley]

New Member

I found this site while researching a new cooling vest. Glad I found it.

I go to an MS support group, but feel like an anomaly there, most of them no longer work or stay really active.

In 2008 I did the MS Challenge Walk - 50 miles in 3 days even though my MS specialist 'strongly discouraged' me from walking that far. I walked 47 of the 50 miles, I decided Torrey Pines was an awfully big hill! Anyhow, when somebody tells me I can't do something, I have to prove them wrong.

I liked the article on cognition and staying active...I'm contemplating joining a fitness Bootcamp, but fear working part time, staying active, and keeping up with kid activities - sports and Scouts, might put me over the edge with MS.

On the other hand, I think some good exercise would 'wake up' my brain in the morning. Now, I feel like such a slug when I wake up! I was walking 25 miles/week prior to my last MS exacerbation.

The other thing I find is that my calves are really tight, so I have to stretch more than I used to and even then have problems. I took Baclofen for a while with good results...so I guess I could do that again.

Any tips on staying cool, and tightness (spasticity?) would be appreciated.

Glad I found this site... I also appreciate the large font!

Rachel

[Re-violining]

Hello

Hello, my name is Janice. I am 43 years old, married and have a large family with kids from college to age two. I was diagnosed and undiagnosed and diagnosed from september 08 to December 09 and started avonex in Febr. of 10. It kicks my ...one day a week and am considering a switch to copaxone. Right now, the DMD causes more difficulty than the disease and that is hard to accept...although I am thankful that so far the disease is mild.

I am trying to stay active in more ways than one. My family keeps me going but I also have been walking or going to the Y to do the elliptical and lift weights. MS has also encouraged me to fix up my violin and start playing again after more than 15 years. I have started doing cognitive games and crosswords to keep active. I also have been doing things I used to pass on, for instance at the water park...I did all of the slides except the one known for head/neck injury (trying to be smart about it

Although MS stinks, it has made me live for today instead of waiting to do it tomorrow.

[socrates2k1]

Brand new to this forum

I'm, going to be 49 this year.
Last year, July 2009, I had a devastating accident, I fell and had severe head and neck trauma, a severe chest contusion, and dislocated my left thumb. I had surgery to repair my thumb, and several months of rehab, due to the trauma.
The symptoms that presented after the accident, seemed to tie-in with the fall. However, many of the symptoms didn't. Through 2 MRI's, a spinal tap, and blood serum tests, it was revealed I had MS. My first MRI revealed a "walnut-sized" cyst, in the center of my brain, and 12-16 active lesions, throughout my brain. The spinal tap and blood serum tests, confirmed the diagnosis.
At the time, I was working, and was on vacation, unfortunately, I never returned to work, from that vacation.
I have been slowly recovering from all of this, but have been told returning to work, is impossible (also I lost the ability to drive a vehicle). Needless to say, I'm now permanently disabled and was just recently approved for SSD.
I want to get back to exercising, and have been debating it, because of the effects it may cause with my MS symptoms. More details on that, in a future post.

[Lucia]

Hi.

I don't have any plans to quit running - I'll keep going as long as my legs hold out.

Good for you!!! Having MS hasn't stopped me from being active either. Infact, I recently added commuting by trike.

Like you, I'm going to continue being active as long as I can. This site is a good resource to help with this goal.

[RunninGirl]

Hi.

I don't officially have MS. I was diagnosed today with "clinically isolated syndrome". I started having MS-like symptoms back in December of this past year (dizziness, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, cognitive problems, muscle weakness) and just got the results back from my MRIs - I have a lesion in my cervical spine.

I've been a marathon runner for 5 years now - I've run 9 marathons and am running the Boston Marathon two weeks from today. I'm scheduled to get a lumbar puncture as soon as I get home from running that to check for proteins.

It's great to find this site - to know that even if MS ends up becoming a reality, or even if I'm just stuck dealing with similar symptoms from a single lesion in my spine, that there are people with the disease that are still out there being active and living life to its fullest.

I don't have any plans to quit running - I'll keep going as long as my legs hold out.

[Happy1]

Hello

Hi, everyone. I'm Jenn. Diagnosed in 2006 and, just this year, getting over it and on with my life. I've started to ride specifically for the MS150 in Frisco TX. but have found that I really enjoy it, have started looking at other places to ride rallies and am looking forward to getting healthier.

I'm excited to have found this forum and how to stay active with this icky disease.

Have a fantastic day!

Jenn

[Tanya]

hello, everyone

I am so excited to find this site!! I was diagnosed in September 09, and it terrified me. My previous experience with MS is that my Mom had it--and she was one of those people that became the disease. I have decided that's not for me.

I was just starting to try to change to an active lifestyle last spring/summer. Now that I've "gotten over" the diagnosis, I'm returning to the active lifestyle at full speed. My activity of choice is cycling, so I'm training to ride in my first MS 150. I can't wait!

[knitnride]

Introduction

Greetings,
After reading ActiveMSers for quite some time I've decided to become a member. I was diagnosed in the late 1970's and I'm planning to learn to navigate the forums and learn whatever is available.
Karen who lives in Oregon

[Teresa26.2]

Hi,
My name is Teresa. I was officially diagnosed with M.S. back in 2005. I sometimes read on this site. I like the idea of a place to talk to others who have M.S. and still want to exersise to the best of their ability. I had M.S. way before I had M.S. and probably have run two marathons before diagnosis. I have now run 4 more, including the Redding marathon, here in California just a week ago. I am currently training for the Big Sur International Marathon, run this April. I will never stop giving my best.

Alerse, I also like to swim, but haven't been in the pool for any distance in about a year.

Thanks for the site...
Teresa

[alerse]

Thanks for this site, Dave. It's really refreshing to be among MSers who get up, out and move !! I was diagnosed 12/2008 and resolved to stay active.

Are there any other swimmers out there? I either swim or water walk and my endurance and stamina are excellent. I also think it's helped with my mood and overall improvement in my balance.

Cheers all and Happy 2010 !