Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Other Disease

Posted on 29. Dec, 2008 by Mary Lutz in Mom Talk

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My sister lives with Multiple Sclerosis, and was fairly recently diagnosed with it in the Spring of 2008. She is 46 years old and lives about 1800 miles away from me. We communicate mostly by instant messenger or Twitter, and some by phone and text messaging. When she was first diagnosed, it was hard for me to believe and accept. I didn’t want my sister, or anyone I love, to have this disease or any other for that matter.

Living with MS, Diabetes and other Disease

I started this blog site as a result of, and to help my sister and others who live with MS and other disease and disability. As I have been doing some research on the web regarding multiple sclerosis, I have discovered it can be a confusing disease. Why? Through my readings of blogs by others who also live with MS, it seems there are different levels of the disease as far as symptoms and pain and how debiliating is for some, but not all.

One of the symptoms my sister experienced that led to the diagnosis was a black out experience. She also has another brain disease which is causing her brain to deteriorate more rapidly than normal, so I think it was first assumed by doctors that was the cause of the blacking out. They ran further tests though and thus the diagnosis of MS.

My sister also has diabetes, I think type two. So, not only does she have pain from the MS, she also has pain from the diabetes, especially in her feet. She does give herself insulin shots and has a pharmacy of drugs she takes several times a day. My niece who is 15 helps her out quite a bit, making sure she takes her meds at the right time and the proper dose. I don’t think my sister could make it on her own, if she didn’t have someone to help her out. She also suffers from memory loss, either as a result of the MS or the brain disease, I’m not sure, probably both.

As far as the diabetes, from what I’ve read, it can be cured with proper diet and weight loss. I heard from my mom that my sister recently lost 13 pounds, so I’m sure that will help her feel better. All of this also motivates me to get off my butt, start exercising, and eating healthy. I already made a goal to start eating smaller portions and to start exercising daily, at least 15 minutes a day. I am on thyroid meds for low thyroid, Niacin for low good cholesterol and high triglycerides, and Mobic for pain management. My hips constantly ache, and the Mobic helps the flushing that occurs from the Niacin. I do not want to develop diabetes nor do I want to get MS or any other disease. My mom has fibromyalgia, and was just recently diagnosed with diabetes as well. She is 68. So, it’s time to take care of myself and my family.

Sister, if you read this, I hope you will either comment or post a blog with further information or correct me if I have any incorrect info here. It is my hope to help others living with disease and disability by posting the latest news and articles as I come across them.

Dear reader if you are living with a disease won’t you share how you get through each day here as well? You can hit register in the lower left corner under Meta and be a contributor here on Open Talk Mom. We’d love to hear from you!!!

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About the author Mary Lutz began blogging in 2004 on her personal blog. In June of 2008, she began her own Virtual Assistant Business, and discovered her passion for writing. Besides writing for her own blogs, she also writes for other Work at Home Mom sites. Read more from this author

Christie Garcia

05. Jan, 2009

I do have Diabetes type two. And I am sure if I exercised more and watched my diet more it would greatly help me to lose weight and lower my blood sugars, if not to completely get rid of my Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. I am taking four Insulin shots a day in my stomach, as your body absorbs the insulin best and allot faster through your stomach, or abdomen. I take Novolog and Levimere, which is Insulin. Levimere is the long lasting Insulin I take at night. Plus I take a pill called Metformin twice a day, also for my Diabetes. It is best to really take very good care of yourself as soon as you find out you have Diabetes, weather it be type one or type two. Cause you probably have had for about 10 years before you found out you have it. Diabetes is considered a silent killer! Its very important for you to take very good care of yourself ! There are so many things you need to do, like eat right, exercise, reduce the stress in your life, get enough sleep, and etc.. I cant stress enough how important it is to take very good care of yourself!! I am also on a ton of other medications for my other illnesses too. I am still in denile of having MS. I ahve had three abnormal MRI`s . I do have Lesions in my brain. And I have had some go away and some new ones develope. But all my other tests like my Evoked Potential, my Spinal Tap, and my full Spine MRI, all came back normal. SO I am hoping and Praying that there is another reason for these Lesions in my brain. MS is very hard to diagnose. It takes a very long time to diagnose it. And there are many other diseases that mimic it also. You can not catch MS form another person. And MS affects everyone differently and there are many different stages of it too. Some people who have MS do not look sick. But they are , or could be, in a llot of pain that you can not see. We should never assume that just cause someone looks ok, that they are. Speciallly if they have MS, or any other illness you may be aware of. I try to make it a practice never to judge a book by its cover as the saying goes! After all there really is only one judge and his name is Jesus Christ! I have been having some trouble walking lately. I find my legs dont want to move and it takes allot of concentration to make them move. I have allot of pain in my knees and my hips too. This just adds to the Neuropathy in my feet and legs from my Diabetes, and to the pain. I can not be on my feet for long period of time, nor can I walk for long periods of time, it is very painful for me. I Have three disks in my neck that are bulging out and three in my lower back too. These disks cause allot of muyscle spasms in my neck and back and are very painfull. I also get Migraine headaches, and I am sure these spasms in my neck and back contribute to them. I am also taking Topamax for the Migraines. I have b een told I have Deep White Matter Brain Disease too. Ugh!! And I have done allot of research on this, and I am very overwhelmed with all the info there is on the internet with it and all the info from different doctors!! Shew! Its allot!! I have to pray everyday and ask the good Lord to heal me and give me HIS peace about all this. I have good days where none of this bothers me, and then I have really bad days where I cant get out of bed. Like yesterday I was in so much pain I couldnt even get up. The pain in my body is unreal! But today I am much better and I got up and got dressed and took my son to the dentist and etc., of course my hubby drove us, but still. I also have short term memory loss, that allof us have, but mine is happening faster then a normal persons, and it affects me in a different way. I may ask you the same question ten times on the same day. Cause I dont remember asking you before. It is very stressfull on my family too.I get confused and frustrated very easily. I also suffer from sadness and depression due to all this stuff. I also have Hypothyroidism, and Fibromyailgia. But you know all this has made me who I am today, and has taught me allot. I see things and people so differently now. I have allot more compassion for people, and for things I cannot see. If you know what I mean. Kinda like my Faith in God!! I dont know if this very long comment helps you, or anyone out there, but if it has thats awesome too. God Bless You All!! And Keep the Faith!!

Christie Garcia’s last blog post..Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Other Disease

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Robin Tramble/empowermentdiva

04. Feb, 2009

Hello dear Christie,

My daughter was diagnosed with MS at age 16 and the only reason it was quickly diagnosed is because I recalled earlier tests and told current doctor about it and they honed in on testing. Holy Spirit is my partner and often brings things back to my remembrance. I thank Him for being with me in raising my children, marriage, personal, ministry and business. She went blind a few months agon ( I talk about this in my eBook The Dynamic power of Focus) and God was working it out for her good as in the end it is now known that there are other strains of MS. The report came back positive for NMO.

She no longer has to take a shot once a week. She takes a pill daily.
God is faithful and we have a testimony for the glory of God of God’s faithfulness and my daughter is an awesome woman of God. Still stayed faithful to her relationship through it all. Imagine being diagnosed at 16?

Bless you for sharing.

Robin
P.S. I didn’t check but I believe you’re on christiantwitterwives with us. ; D

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Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Other Disease

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