MS Progressive Types: Primary Progressive and Progressive Relapsing

Vicki Living With It Writer with Progressive MS and severe Osteoporosis I was diagnosed in 1989 after seven years of living with seemingly... Send Message Subscribe: Vicki

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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Let's continue looking at characteristics of Progressive MS. I already talked about the different types of MS and focused specifically on Secondary Progressive. As this series continues, I will discuss research and clinical trials, medications, "a day in the life," and other topics relating to the pr...

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One of the best articles I have read on this topic
Merely Me
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 05:30 PM

You have really outdone yourself here...this information is so thorough and detailed but what I like most of all is that you don't simply cite statistics...you also offer hope through personal stories. I like this so much I think I will print it out as a resource to go back to.

Thank you Vicki!

re: One of the best articles I have read on this topic
Vicki
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 06:30 PM

What can I say? Thank you.

I want it to inform, but it won't if it's too painful to read. The numbers are probably questionable because different credible sources have different numbers, but they don't convey the situation without the personal stories make the numbers more understandable.

Thank you for visiting, thank you for commenting.

re: re: One of the best articles I have read on this topic
Merely Me
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 06:40 PM

Well...I don't give praise lightly. I have always felt that you are such a good writer because you provide the human element to things. You are also living...what you are writing about and I feel less frightened when I read what you have to say. Numbers don't scare me as much as...will I be able to cope if things progress. And you are here to tell us...yes it is possible.

I think in addition to information...people need and want a bit of hope. I know I do.

Thanks Vicki

Untitled Comment
David Madison
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 04:40 AM

I am a little bit jealous of other people with Primary Progressive. They still function well after sometimes twenty years. I had the first MS sensations four years ago. It then took ten months for the neurological team at Penn State University Hospital to give me the diagnosis. My mother also had the disease for forty years, so I knew what it was. However, I became bedridden after 2.5 years. I write this from my rehab hospital bed, and hope to return home in another week. My stated rehab goal is being able to go to the bathroom on my own. It will of course expand to cover much more, but first things first.

re: Untitled Comment
Vicki
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 10:20 PM

Hi David,

Thank you for visiting my site again.

Sometimes I am a little jealous of other MSers who function better than I do. I'my sure if I'm jealous of the people or if I would just like to do whatever they are doing. I guess that is envy after all. There are things I would like to do that I cannot.

Sometimes I am just tired of having MS. Wouldn't it be nice to just take a break? But we know we cannot.

It helps me to learn about things, then share what I have learned. Sometimes people share what thay know or how they fit it, and that is helpful, too. The connections are helpful.

I like the fact that you have a stated goal and that you are open to more. I think it is a good idea to take one at a time, but the fact that you are ready to tackle more. To me, that means there is hope. I believe there is always hope.

Good luck, David. Please come back again.

re: Untitled Comment
Lisa Emrich
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 03:22 PM

Hi David,

It's wonderful to hear that you have a clear goal. I have a very dear friend (well, online at least) who also has PPMS. She, too, is just about 2.5 post diagnosis. In one year, she was in a chair and last summer she had developed a pressure sore so deep (9cm) that she has been bedridden since August. The doctor is thinking that she just 'might' be able to sit up in a chair for short periods of time by the end of June. I'm hoping that for her.

One truly special quality which my friend, Herrad, has is the ability to stay positive. She knows that she does not have that long to live here on earth and is facing that reality. She blogs daily now sharing her true experiences, good and bad, which I have found to be highly inspirational. You might want to visit her blog at Access Denied- Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Just tell her that Lisa sent you. :)

I hope that you conquer your goal and gain some of that independence back. Being able to go to the bathroom is an achievement itself. I'll be thinking of you.

Lisa