My Life-Changing Diagnosis (I Didn’t See This Coming)

I woke up on a Sunday morning not being able to feel the left side of my body from my lower back to my feet. I shrugged it off at first, but on a Monday - the next day - I decided to check myself into the emergency room. I’m so glad I did. Every doctor told me most people would have just dealt with the numbness and wouldn’t have bothered checking to see what’s happening. Probably because our healthcare in the United States is robbery - but that’s another topic for another day. This is my new diagnosis and it’s flipped my world upside down. But the only way forward is to accept it, learn all I can and to try to thrive with my disease the best I am able!

* I truly appreciate you sharing your experiences, and I never want to discredit your stories. However, I kindly ask that you refrain from sharing worst-case scenarios or horror stories about this disease. I’ve already read many difficult accounts, and right now, I’m choosing to focus on hope. I fully understand the potential complications, but for the sake of my mental health and my struggles with anxiety and depression, I need to stay as optimistic as possible. Hope is the one thing I can control, and I appreciate you respecting this boundary. Thank you for your understanding and support! ❤️

When I come back from my social media break, my name is @shayleejustshaylee on Instagram and TikTok.

[ShayleeOfficial]

I truly appreciate you sharing your experiences, and I never want to discredit your stories. However, I kindly ask that you refrain from sharing worst-case scenarios or horror stories about this disease. I’ve already read many difficult accounts, and right now, I’m choosing to focus on hope. I fully understand the potential complications, but for the sake of my mental health and my struggles with anxiety and depression, I need to stay as optimistic as possible. Hope is the one thing I can control, and I appreciate you respecting this boundary. Thank you for your understanding and support! ❤️

[tinawhite]

I am here if you need to talk. I have MS undiagnosed for 15 years and have been diagnosed for 5 years. Don't let the what if's get to you. Live day to day and take every good day by the horns, but don't overdo it. Sending love

[carlalott]

I was diagnosed with MS in 2006. I know every feeling you are going through. I was also diagnosed in the ER.

[HappyJoy]

I’m so sorry Shaylee this is so difficult to process I’m sure 😢I was diagnosed with a chronic illness 12 years ago when my child was young and it was so painful. My neighbor has MS she said she did the KETO diet and that really helped her get off all the medications and helped with her symptoms. That might be something to look into. Also for hope and inspiration i just watched HEAL on Amazon prime streaming and it was so hopeful. So much love and healing ❤️‍🩹 energy going out to you in this difficult time.

[morningmom]

How are you doing Shaylee? I want you to know that you have been on my mind and heart. Praying for you and I hope you do a vlog soon. You are loved and cared about!❤

[catherinefletcher]

Oh honey, you will handle whatever happens. I have had it for over forty years. I have grown children and have had a life, lots of jobs and lots of good times. I am slow but I still walk and talk and have a life. You will have bad times but most people do no matter what. Just remember that most MS symptoms are temporary. Some are not but you will learn to cope.

[terrimorgan]

A very dear childhood friend of mine was diagnosed with MS when she was about your age. We just celebrated 75 yrs on this good earth. Yes, she has had challenges - but everyone who has ever lived faces many, many challenges. Keep your faith, focus on the positive, and do what your medical team recommends. Don't be timid about getting 2nd or even 3rd consultations either. You are in charge. You are your most important advocate. Wishing you the very best. Be well and be brave; you are stronger than you know. Sending love, respect, and hugs from San Diego.

[cmtb]

I’m sorry you are going through this. Sending love your way. A good friend of mine was diagnosed around the same age as you.

[MsrKSDisque]

I have MS. My first episode was in 1997, but my diagnosis wasn't until 2011. I have a lot of information and I'm willing to help.

[allalahav]

Sending you prayers, light and love xo

[summerrain]

Wishing you all the best, Shaylee. Sending Love & Light ❤🤍

[MichelleLanigan-mr]

I am 62 and was diagnosed 2-1-02 after 20 yrs of migraines and weakness. This past November I was taken off all MS medication and I am still RMS. You may be like me and never have optic neuritis, frequent relapses, or progression. That is my prayer for you! I am here for you!!! Stay positive…get a strong support system, rest when you’re tired. Make yourself important and pay attention to YOUR needs.

[afoolsparadise]

It's seems like this is becoming a common diagnosis. I wonder what's causing this? I suddenly know several people with MS. Wishing you well as you begin this new medical journey. ❤

[Feather]

Sending prayers hugs and lots of love. ❤️🙏🏽❤️

[Coffeecup.]

Thank you for sharing this. I wish you the very best. ❤❤❤❤❤

[OneLove.]

My Brother was diagnosed with PPMS at 21. He has lived a full and wonderful life. He is a local hero, climbed mountains in his wheelchair, raised lots of money for MS charities. We recently lost him age 69 years old, with something unrelated. So try not to think worst case scenario. I say this as someone living with a chronic illness too. It isn’t easy, but the more info you can learn, the easier it will be. It’s all still so raw and very new, so it will be extremely daunting 😢 You will live with MS, but you’re so much more than that one diagnosis. Hugs, Mama ❤

[andreadewaele-jrue]

Even though you are understandably scared and upset, you are well spoken and seem like a smart, capable person. Most likely you are going to do this anyway… I rarely leave comments on YT, but I feel like it needs to be said.

Many if not all of the conventional treatments and medications can seem scary. Please work with your doctor and find a conventional treatment anyway, find one of the DMTs or biologics that works for you and follow your doctor’s advice the best you can. They are proven to work in peer reviewed journals and have been extensively studied. Even when you feel like it sucks, even when some diet or alternative treatment sounds way better, please keep working with a medical doctor.

Im sure all the viewers giving you diet advice or alternative treatment advice mean well, and may be helpful to an extent as long as they are safe and aren’t causing huge inconvenience or added stress.
BUT…The medical treatments are so effective now and IMHO should come before anything else, no matter how great the other stuff may sound. ❤

[lisaturner]

RESEARCH Low Carb Life...MS. So many people been helped!!!! 😊💙

[QueenFeyre]

My aunt was diagnosed with MS about 30 years ago. She’s 66 and she’s only had two flares in those 30 years since diagnosis. Hers was numbness. Back and legs. MS doesn’t cause blindness. Do not listen to the horror stories. Focus on looking after YOU. NEVER ever take advice from someone in the comments in terms of medical advice. They are not medical professionals or doctors or neurologists.

[laurawong]

Boo, I'm so sorry! Similar happened to me 4 years ago, diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS after suddenly losing some peripheral vision and half of my tongue went numb. I was alone in ER because of covid protocols. It's a process coming to grips with what it means, but you totally can and will have a life with MS. I was in denial for like a year afterward, kept hoping it was just some temporary clinically isolated issue, denial in grief is a thing sometimes. Allow yourself to go through the stages if you need to.

I have kids too, and still take care of them! You do have to take better care of yourself than you would have otherwise, just another thing to manage.

Also get a Neurologist that specializes in MS! Sending you a virtual hug, even though we are just internet strangers in the same crappy MS club!