Information and opinions on Multiple Sclerosis from Julie at MultipleSclerosisCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654 http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/43507/putting Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:17:01 -0000 Julie There was a pretty long period in my life where friends had to take a backseat. I was focused on my career, my husband and my children. I had friends come in here and there but, really, I was a terrible friend and most fell away and found better relationships somewhere else. Time for lunch? Well, no, I was busy. Time to meet for coffee? You’ve got to be kidding – no time to sit around a coffee shop. Want to play cards, get the families... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/43507/putting http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42865/fear-ms Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:27:44 -0000 Julie Merely Me's last post on doctors -- and all the resulting comments -- has gotten me thinking. My own comment was a knee-jerk reaction that came from somewhere deep inside where fear lives. If doctors aren't there for us, then what? We need the reassurance and the comfort in knowing that an expert can tell us what comes next. Lacking a cure, at least there is the best medical advice and treatment, an acknowledgement that things are tough, or... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42865/fear-ms http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42446/ms Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:14:50 -0000 Julie I've been on a busy work schedule and knew this month was going to take a toll. I was fully prepared to work hard and then pay the piper. I scheduled a week's vacation at the end of this busy time because I knew I would need it. So when I started feeling shaky and dizzy and my legs got weaker, I just chalked it up to MS and my heavy work schedule. Then my doctor called with news on my latest labs: "You're pretty anemic and you need to get... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42446/ms http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42005/happy Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:55:35 -0000 Julie I have been called a Pollyanna at several times in my life by different people. I do like focusing on the positive, sometimes to the extreme, I suppose. For instance, when I was first diagnosed with MS, my legs numb and fatigue dragging me down, I shrugged it off pretty quickly as "not cancer." I am nowhere close to being homeless and never have been, yet I crawl into bed grateful that I have a bed and a home. I am so incredibly grateful that... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/42005/happy http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/41116/hotels Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:28:42 -0000 Julie I don't travel too often for work, but I have a flurry of trips I need to take all within the next month. I'm looking forward to them for all the reasons I also enjoy business trips - meeting new people, having a mission to accomplish, visiting new places, getting a break in the routine, being out of the office. I'm also dreading these trips because of the toll they will take on me and the unknown situations that could occur. I'm not going to... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/41116/hotels http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/40082/stuff Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:43:10 -0000 Julie I took a few days off work recently because I wasn't feeling too well. My leg was bothering me more than usual and I just couldn't focus on work. I thought, hey, why not just give myself a break. I scheduled a couple of vacation days for later in the week and made it a long weekend. Of course, it didn't hurt that the fair was in town and the weather was cooperating. I enjoy the fair but since it always comes at the hottest time of the year, I... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/40082/stuff http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/39341/normal Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:21:31 -0000 Julie People with MS and other medical conditions talk about their "new normal." They mean things have changed permanently because of their chronic condition and so "normal" might mean constantly being in pain or having minimal energy or using a cane. I realized the other day that I've forgotten a bit what my "old normal" was like. I remember that I used to ski and play tennis and go on long bicycle rides, but I have a hard time relating to that old... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/39341/normal http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/38262/racing Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:24:13 -0000 Julie Everyone around me tells me to slow down. That's strange because I feel like I spend so much of my time on the couch and have such an early bedtime.I know what they mean though. The reason I'm flat on the couch so much is because I work full time, scurry around to do errands on the weekends and rarely say no to my kids. I volunteer when I can and also have a book project that I'm finishing up. Pre-MS, this was no big deal. Now, earning a living... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/38262/racing http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/37645/knowing Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:26:09 -0000 Julie  Even the best workplaces don't always do the right thing. I work at a great place and am appreciative of that. But when my annual review mentioned my MS-related absences, I objected. I've been pretty open at work about having MS. When I needed to use my cane one day at work, I didn't want to play coy. Everyone asked me what was wrong. I told them. For me, that was the best way to go and I haven't regretted it. Tha was a few years ago. My... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/37645/knowing http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/36898/gears Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:53:36 -0000 Julie I'm in a new phase of my working life that is taking some adjustment. I've always been a high achiever and have gotten a thrill out of taking on multiple new projects and racing them to completion. Not anymore. MS has slowed me down and has made me approach work differently. Mentally, I can't juggle many things anymore. I'm forgetful. I get overwhelmed easily. To stay in the working world has meant I've needed to come up with some strategies to... http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73654/36898/gears