Multiple Sclerosis at 24: Early Signs and Symptoms

Thank you for listening to my MS story.
If you missed part one here's the link:

MS videos playlist:

Resources:
MS Society:

Great Summary of what MS is:

[latinabeeotch]

My grandpa has MS. He was diagnosed around 23 years old. He will be 84 in May. He had a bad fall in April of 2022 and it was exacerbated by the MS. He had emergency surgery to relieve spinal stenosis in his neck and he’s been recovering well. He walks with a walker but can stand long enough to make himself a meal and he does his PT and exercises everyday. He’s had this blasted disease for 60 years and he’s still trucking along. He’s so strong and so are you!! ❤

[missdoglover]

I’ve had MS since 2010 and I still don’t understand it. The problem is that MS messes with your mind and the symptoms are so confusing. Imagine having to try to explain something to a doctor which you don’t even understand yourself. Wishing you all the best ❤️

[lorilongfoot]

I have so many symptoms, including the lesions on my brain. My neurologist told me if you were 20 years old I'd tell you right now you have MS, but since you're in your 50's I don't think you have it. My mom and dad had it, my mom wasn't as bad as my mom. I'm tired of doctors not wanting to hear what I have to say, they don't know my body but I do

[savannao]

I’ve been having brain fog, memory loss, and nerve pain that feels like I’m being shocked constantly, plus muscle twitching for at least a year. This summer was the worst I’ve had it, since I started hiking this year. I had an MRI on Friday and just received the results that I have few, mild lesions typical of MS. It makes me feel a little better to hear someone else say “well, I didn’t think much of it at the time”. Vague symptoms are so hard to recognize. Thank you for the video ❤

[GoldenDelicious]

I’m 44 and was diagnosed one month ago. I had to wait 6 months between the first mri, where the doctor said “strong suspicion” of ms due to visible lesions in my brain. After that I had to do a lumbar puncture plus a more precise mri to be fully diagnosed. So Between December and the second mri in April, I got 2 new lesions in my brain. That made me so sad, that the diagnosis couldn’t be made faster, due to cues in the health care system. I got my first treatment of Rituximab one week ago.
One year ago I was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, as the the numbness in half of my face developed into paralysis of the muscles. A numbness in my face that first occurred in 2010, where even my gums got numb. I am so sad that I didn’t know I’ve had ms all these years. Maybe it debuted even earlier than 2010, but I don’t know. The doctor said I have more than 40 lesions in my brain. I am sad because I lost some cognitive functions, and have been tortured with fatigue, anxiety and feeling low for so many years. Something that I’ve been hiding and been so ashamed of. Feeling lazy and boring, with no energy to socialize. I didn’t know there was a reason for it. I’ve been so fatigued that I didn’t even have the motivation to find myself a partner or making myself a family. I have been struggling with doing my job, thinking I’m worthless and incompetent as I was experiencing difficulties such as focus and concentration. I blamed myself and was thinking I’m not trying hard enough and should get a grip on myself. I did work harder but that made me even feel more fatigued.

[Burnmaster]

I got diagnosed with MS a couple years ago. I went in to the hospital due to a seizure. Which was good as they had an MRI and spinal tap done on me. I got PPMS which was like a punch in the gut as I was an on the road 3D Artist trainer. Cognitive ability is suddenly gone. i now just laugh about it rather than being frustrated. Find purpose in other things even if the new me takes longer, still get there.

[robertcarter]

Beautiful young lady, keep up a positive attitude. My brother had MS for 30 yrs. Diagnosed by waking up blind in one eye… many prayers for you.

[lorijohn]

I was diagnosed in 2009 at 41. I started having symptoms after my mother’s death, but during my divorce i went partially paralyzed. I regained my strength after years. Stress is the biggest trigger.

[maddygvanlifer]

I just watched this video. It is 6/22/2024. My daughter just turned 49 and she got diagnosed with MS. She is a single mom of a 14 year old whom.she home schools now because driving to and from school has been difficult for her. I will forward her your video. It's been a scary road for the last 5 or so months. Thank you for sharing. I will try to find a more recent one of your journey. God bless you.

[erinbean]

I'm so sorry that you had to go through this alone. I have a neurology appointment in a couple of weeks, this was very helpful, thank you. You are such a sweet and positive person.

[chumpess]

Im also a Sarah, and I was also diagnose with MS in 2020! L’hermittes sign was one of my first symptoms, and I thought I must have pinched a nerve in my neck. Then when I lost sensation in my right leg, my chin, and half my tongue (I know, weird right) I was super convinced it was a disc issue because I’ve had a bulging disc in my lumber spine before. I thought this time it was in my cervical spine so I asked my doctor to refer me to a physio…they did some tests and told me I didn’t need a physio, I needed a neurologist. I thought it was overkill, and I grumpily went to the neurologist a few weeks later. Long story short, over 20 lesions in the brain, and 3 on the spinal cord. It’s 2023 now and I’ve only just come to terms with it.

Fun fact, it was a root canal that triggered the relapse that got me diagnosed. The neurologist said the killing off of the nerve in the tooth basically pissed off the brain, and voila - symptoms galore. It was almost a relief to find out, at first they said it could be an aneurysm…and my dad died from a ruptured brain aneurysm, so when they said MS, it was a better option. I knew then that even though life would never be the same, I’m still here, and I can still see my kids grow.

Anyway, it was interesting listening to your story. Good luck on your journey. We may have to work a bit harder to get things done than the average person, but we’re still strong, capable women. x

[tonyraymond]

Two things:

1. Glad you were diagnosed and got that mystery solved, and can get the treatment you need to live a fulfilling life

2. I can see that the personality of the happy, bubbly little girl I used to supervise still totally exists in this professional young woman.

[SoniaKudalsky]

Thank you for sharing your experience with MS. I have had MS for over 20 years now. You are incredibly positive and funny!
Take care of yourself, they have great DMTs and resources now. You can still lead a fulfilling life with this illness! ❤

[sararinckel]

I can relate. I also was able to diagnose myself with MS when I researched my vibrating sensations online. L'hermittes Sign coupled with some other things made me 100% sure that I had it. I dealt with multiple symptoms over a couple years and incorrect diagnoses before diagnosing myself. You are not alone!

[fatimarehman]

Hey girl it needs a lot of courage to smile on such changes taking place in the body ..I just love your bravery and smile.I have MS since 6 years.Stay blessed and keep shining 🌟 bright.

[janena]

I needed this, as I write from my hospital bed on steroids, 3 days after my diagnosis. Thank you.

[Memdaunt]

Thanks for sharing your story. I was just diagnosed with MS after losing vision in my left eye and having to go through lots of tests and MRIs. I’ve been on steroid injections for the past 5 days and have definitely seen improvement but am still in shock and processing the news of this diagnoses. While I hate that other people are dealing with this, It’s comforting to know I’m not alone. I wish you all the best and thanks again for sharing! I have lots of research and learning to do….

[jacquelineglitter]

My son lost his vision in one eye. He also had headaches and a stiff neck. The eye doctor kept giving him eye test to soak the insurance. A couple of years after that he went numb from his waist down so they gave him a MRI and found lessions in the back of his eye, brain and neck. He had another MRI a year later and he's progressive now because he had new lessions in just 1 year. Sorry you have this horrible disease and I hope things get better.

[anikosebesteny]

Wow, you are so incredibly sweet and brave. I wish you all the best, quick recovery. <3

[mareklutz]

Thanks for sharing. My wife was diagnosed some 9 months ago and we’re dealing with it now. Best of luck with living life to the fullest ❤