My MS life

In 2003, I was officially diagnosed with MS as  seen thru an MRI which was doctor ordered after I expressed concern to him about my foot drag and the other system events. I did not know the drag was a symptom until my friend Barb at work shared that her sister in law experienced it with her MS. In 1996, I had a case of optic neuritis at which time a neuro-opthamologist in Columbus told me I should have another MRI in several years to check for brain lesion activity. Over those years, other symptoms occurred that my family doctor did not connect to any disease. I had daily visual/aural migraines, trigeminal face pain, tingling in my arm and leg when I bent my head forward and memory/emotional issues. Searching for relief, I had extensive dental work done, went for carpal tunnel testing (negative) and began the use of Prozac for the pain.
After the MRI, I picked up the test results and drove to Norwalk for my first appointment with Dr. Hill, now my neurologist. Those words "lesions consistent with Multiple Sclerosis" are etched in my thoughts. What did I feel? Numb-this was not happening to me. Fear-my oldest brother Larry was bedridden with MS. Relief-finally a diagnosis. Dr. Hill told me I had the relapsing remitting type versus the progressive type like Larry. RRMS was less serious-ha! I might go years with out other related problems. I started a daily injection of Copaxone for 10 years until the pill Aubagio was released in 2013. The Copaxone joined my regimen of drugs I was already using for Rheumatoid Arthritis, another autoimmune disease I experienced  for 14 previous years. Since then , I have learned that many MS people have more than one AI disease. I guess because we are strong enough to handle a lot of pain and change. LOL And have good enough insurance to pay for medicine that costs 10s of thousands of dollars.
Lots of people and "experts " tell me that life will go on and that it can be fruitful. True. But the fact is that I have MS and RA and my life has changed. Every thought and movement reminds me. Not much is automatic. For instance, lots of planning goes into simple hygiene - from avoiding falls in the tub to remembering to look in the mirror to make sure I am properly dressed and groomed. Have you ever forgot to comb your hair, ladies? Going out in public requires watching the sidewalk for hazards since I drag my feet, locating bathrooms and consciously looking at my surroundings since my vision is focused down and my mind is set on my destination. I am easily confused and forget details. Conversation is difficult. If I am interrupted, the thought is gone. When I speak with my daughters and others on the phone, in my head I recount happenings as a list. Fatigue is perhaps the worst part of AI disease. So much energy is expended to accomplish movement and thought that little is left for chores and leisure. 10 minutes is my limit on gardening in the sun. Most of my beautiful flowers are gone. Housekeeping is last on the list (always was) and is done haphazardly when we expect company. The future of my physical (and mental) condition is uncertain so I draw and paint and collect and take opportunities for travel and family. Oh I wrote this the other day and forgot to post. LOL