Life with Multiple Sclerosis: MS Symptoms, Signs & Diagnosis
This blog covers personal stories and real life advice, highlighting crucial resources to support life with long term illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis including everything from mobility aids to microwavable veg! By speaking with the amazing Wendi Fletcher, Nik Richardson, Scarlett Ward, Jane Felstead, and Katt Snelson, we are providing insights from people of all ages, genders and experiences.
With a huge focus around mental health, positivity, and resilience but also sharing essential self-care tips and the significance of maintaining a strong positive attitude when navigating life with a disability. We want to help those with MS navigate their journey beyond walking sticks and crutches - with knowledge, support and love!
Katt with her Snow Leopard Crutch
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that affects the central nervous system, (brain and spinal cord). It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks your bodies myelin, which covers nerve fibres. This causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body and over time, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged which in turn causes partial or permanent damage to the body.
Symptoms of MS
The symptoms of MS can vary widely among different people, depending on the location and severity of the nerve damage. Common symptoms include:
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Fatigue
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Difficulty walking
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Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs
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Partial or complete loss of vision
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Tingling or pain in parts of the body
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Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements
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Tremor, lack of coordination, or unsteady gait
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Slurred speech and dizziness
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Problems with bowel and bladder function
Wendi using her Emerald Sky Walking Stick
MS Diagnosis
Sadly there is no single test for MS and so diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be a lengthy process, often taking months or even years. Diagnosing MS involves ruling out other conditions and then confirming MS through a combination of tests and clinical assessments. As a result, support for living with symptoms, navigating diagnoses and then life after diagnosis is key. We are lucky enough to have a number of incredible people in our community who have experienced the realities of MS first hand. So, together they are sharing all their best tips for the best quality of life with MS and mobility aids, check them out:
Go-To Products Or Resources For Managing Life With Multiple Sclerosis
Jane Felstead
The MS Society is fantastic and the MS Register is also an enormous help. If you are living with MS yourself it is hugely helpful for you to sign up to the MS Register as it collects and uses data from those living with MS to provide a clearer picture of the support which is needed day to day and over time to drive research and influence change.
Jane using her Leopard Crutches
Pre-cooked meat and microwaveable vegetables. It is not lazy to use these resources so you can reduce the amount of time you are cooking a meal, especially on the days you are feeling super fatigued or have numb hands. It also means you can use your energy on more fun stuff!
Nik Richardson
My walking sticks! MS largely affects my legs, and I put off mobility aids for too long. I wish that I had discovered Cool Crutches sooner as my collection of walking sticks are my lifeline now.
Nik with his Personalised Grey Camo Walking Stick
Scarlett Ward
CBD supplements to ease the night time muscle spasms. I’ve found the Holland and Barrett CBD Muscle Balm to be great!
Wendi Fletcher
A simple but effective one for me is a shower stool. Eliminate any risk or worry you have of slipping in the shower, and just sit down!
Best Life Hacks for Living with MS
Katt Snelson
USE THE MOBILITY AID! Transitioning to using a crutch full time felt like a huge deal to me, but I couldn’t imagine life without them now. They are an extension of me, and it’s a bonus that I can match all my Cool Crutches with my outfits ;)
Katt with her Snow Leopard and Black Glitter Crutch
Jane Felstead
- Don't forget the brain is an amazing thing. A positive, strong mental attitude can go such a long way. It is incredibly powerful in its promotion of self-healing.
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Having close friends and family on hand to jump in if you need support is an enormous help.
Nik Richardson
- Own your disability and embrace your mobility aid. Buy a walking stick you love, customise the one you have and even get creative with your wheelchair. Disability does not mean grey, it does not mean dull and it doesn't mean boring!
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Learn to pace yourself and listen to your body. Look out for those tell-tale symptoms that indicate that fatigue is setting in.
Wendi Fletcher
- M O V E! On the days you can walk, then walk or if you like to cycle, ride. And on the days you can't, there are loads of brilliant low intensity / seated exercise videos on YouTube that can bring some activity into your day.
- Avoid eating and drinking lots of unhealthy food. Take care of your diet and think about what you are consuming and how it affects your body.
How To Stay Strong And Positive
Scarlett Ward
- Absorb yourself in an enjoyable activity (I like reading or writing). It’s easy to get lost in the feelings of incurable disease, but spending time being mindful of the things you CAN do is a really good way to refocus your attention to the present moment.
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Cool Crutches! For me these mobility aids somehow softened the impact of my diagnosis. They didn't make me try to hide the fact that I was suddenly disabled, or feel in any way embarrassed – it was actually the opposite - they made me feel like me again!
Nik Richardson
- Celebrate achievements no matter how small.
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Do as much as you can. It's still VERY possible to get out and enjoy life! With accessibility within business on the rise and more disability friendly spaces, life doesn't have to stop.
Nik with his Bespoke Personalised Walking Stick
Katt Snelson
Don't waste time worrying about how other people are managing their MS. We are all so unique, (they don’t call it the snowflake disease for nothing!). Live your life in a way that works for YOU personally with no guilt.
Wendi Fletcher
Live each day at a time. Try not to look too far ahead. Nobody knows what the future holds and dwelling on what could be or what has been is wasted energy
Wendi using her Stardust Crutches
Living with Multiple Sclerosis comes with its challenges, but the insights shared by Wendi Fletcher, Nik Richardson, Scarlett Ward, Jane Felstead, and Katt Snelson, offer a wealth of practical advice and support if you are navigating life with MS or any other chronic illness. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and there are communities and resources available to help you thrive!
A huge thank you to the team for being so open and providing us all with some real golden nuggets. If you are interested in learning more about the journeys of these awesome people, we recommend heading to their blogs:
